Seniors : Achievements, activities : Center Is Calling for ‘Phone Friends’

The Cypress Senior Citizens Center is seeking “phone friends.”

The center is recruiting volunteers to make daily calls to older residents who live alone or who are shut-ins because of illnesses.

Volunteers “will call daily from their homes to check on the well-being of up to five [people] who have requested the service,” said Phyllis Campbell, a spokeswoman for the center.

Each caller will determine that the person being telephoned “is OK, chat for a couple of minutes and give referrals when needed,” she said.

The center, at 9031 Grindlay St., hopes to launch the new telephone program soon, Campbell said. Volunteers will be given appropriate training before they begin making calls, she said.

Those interested in volunteering can call (714) 229-6776, and leave their name, address and phone number.