the sight of a clown," says Kay Jensen a retired massage
therapist who makes her home in Park City, Utah. Kay and
her friend Pam Smith are volunteer clowns who encourage
smiles, deliver goodies (they call it brain food) and provide
much needed hugs to those in the hospital and local senior
care centers.
Pam explains "they were skeptical and wondered if it was
appropriate for us to be there." "But..." she says "in a very
short time we won them over and now some of the nurses
search us out to tell us what patients really could use some
cheering up."
to service. Pam has degrees in
elementary and special education
and has worked with mentally
handicapped individuals and Kay
through her massage therapy has
gained a keen understanding for
the value and the need of human
touch which is usually a big part
of clowning.
in Nashville in the late 90's when
she took a class on clown makeup.
"Actually," she says, "I think I may
have always had a bit of a performer
in me!" A relocation to Boise, Idaho
and hospital clowning classes there,
helped perfect her performance
and when she and her husband
moved to Park City in 2005 ...
well, it wasn't long before she was
clowning around at the local hospital. Pam, an acquaintance
from a Bible Study class, joined forces with Kay about two
years ago and they've been making merriment ever since.
"The greatest pleasure I get from doing this volunteer
clowning job," says Pam "is cheering people up. It's like
magic when you can start talking and joking with a patient
and actually get them to smile and sometimes even laugh!"
"I always get me cup filled when we go out each week,"
remarks Kay, "and I certainly get more back than I give out."
really take much to make people
smile, it's just the act of caring,
giving and responding an
interaction between two people,
two souls that make a happy
moment in time. "I think that's
what makes me happiest... is to
see a smile come from someone
that you least expect it from,"
says Kay. And Pam agrees,
"Being with people - helping in
some way, making a little bit of a
difference, that's what makes me
really happy!" She chuckles...
and as an afterthought... "Also a
regular dose of good chocolate
really helps too!"
across the United States and
throughout the world. A good
wetpaint.com or if clowning isn't for you try volunteering
where you help create an environment of happiness ...
there are plenty opportunities to spark a smile! Check
out where you can volunteer in your community at
volunteermatch.org.