By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

It’s easy to tell that Mary Grace Rahn, 22, loves her job at Lakeview Manor Assisted Living in Springfield. As the assistant to the activities director, Rahn volunteers to do just about anything that needs to be done. Her job is basically to make sure the residents have plenty of activities such as crafts, games, and exercise, and all the tools they need to do those activities.

Rahn says her favorite game is cornhole. But don’t expect her to go easy on you. She’s very competitive.

In addition to setting up and cleaning up for activities, she checks on the residents daily. If the door to the room is ajar, she’ll just pop in to say “Hi!” and ask if they need anything.

She makes sure everyone comes out to the dining hall for lunch.

Rahn helps lead chair exercises which last about an hour; she sets up for games such as “ladder toss”, bingo, and corn hole; she sets up the prize table; and also takes part in conversation games with the residents, such as “Remember when?”, “This Day in History” and “Have you Ever --?” She keeps the prize closet organized, and sets up and demonstrates crafts.

Some of her favorite crafts are making jewelry and holiday wreaths – not just Christmas, either. Residents may make wreaths for just about any season. A patriotic wreath with lots of red, white and blue, was on display for July 4.

And, of course, she cleans up and puts everything away afterwards. Rahn makes her rounds and makes sure, “nobody gets away with doing nothing.”

In addition to all the social activities, she helps the residents’ spiritual needs as well. When a local pastor visits, she hands out hymnals and helps distribute the Communion elements. She added that she loves to sing.

“I like butter-bean auction,” Rahn said. Butter bean auction is where participants use beans to bid on prizes. And yeah, like an auction with real money, it can get quite competitive. Participants generally start out with the same number of beans, but if it’s their birthday month, they get a few extra beans.

Rahn said she really likes a necklace she won once. Other prizes include a hummingbird feeder and windchimes.

When she sets up for bingo, she remembers which residents like certain types of cards due to mobility issues. Some cards have sliders that move horizontally, and other cards have sliders that move vertically. Rahn remembers to get the correct card for specific residents.

Special occasions are fun for Rahn. She organizes birthday parties and seasonal celebrations for the residents.

Another job Rahn enjoys is working in the garden and picking vegetables, which are taken to the kitchen for the cooks to add to meals. “I like tomatoes, lettuce, and cucumbers,” Rahn added.

Even with all these activities, Rahn has some down time. She takes online classes from San Mateo, California-based IXL Academy.

Her goals are “get my driver’s license” and “work in a dentist’s office.”

Rahn never asks anything for herself, although she did mention that she has always wanted to “be in the paper.”

No problem, Mary Grace.