Tennis Team Rehabbed Walkers At Tosa Assisted Living Facility

WAUWATOSA, WI — A group of students found a way to connect with the community and find a good use for spare tennis balls in Wauwatosa on Friday.

Wauwatosa East High School’s girl’s tennis team changed the tires on wheelchairs and the tennis balls used on the walkers of many residents of Elaine’s Hope memory care facility. The event was held outside the Lutheran Home on North Wauwatosa Avenue and West North Avenue because of the pandemic.

Residents and most of the students wore masks, said Rachel Payne, the activities director at Elaine’s Hope.

The team also gave walkers and wheelchairs a wash.

It was the first event of its kind, Payne said.

The facility often gets donations of tennis balls, which help residents' walkers glide more easily over the new flooring, she said.

The girls had their work cut out for them: They worked on 40 walkers and 10 wheelchairs.

"They just jumped right in and washed all the walkers and changed out the tennis balls. They did a really good job," she said.

The event meant more to the residents than the bright yellow tennis balls. Residents got to interact with young students, who told them about playing tennis and stories about school, Payne said.

"It was more of a social event than it was helping with the walkers," Payne said.

One resident asked if they could go to one of the tennis games.

The pandemic has put a hold on outings.

"Them [students] coming to us was a way for residents to feel like it was an outing," she said.

Volunteers Needed

Payne said the facility is struggling to find volunteers. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 300 volunteers helped out.

But many volunteers stayed at home during the pandemic.

"Now that we are allowing volunteers again, people are a little hesitant to come back into a big health care organization. But we need them," Payne said.

Not only does the facility need help, the residents also look forward to talking with volunteers.

"We miss them, and it doesn't feel the same without them," Payne said.

It doesn't require a lot to become a volunteer or a pet volunteer. People interested in volunteering can contact the Lutheran Home by visiting its website.