Thanks to Julie Ottley, a helping hand is never far away
Day or night, the staff and residents of Salina Presbyterian Manor know they can always count on Julie Ottley. A resident for six years, Julie is the community’s de facto volunteer-in-residence. From serving at community potlucks and setting up in-house art receptions to distributing cookies during support groups and filling coffee pots at social gatherings, Julie has done it all—even play the Easter bunny.
“One of the favorite things I have done here was when they asked me to hide Easter eggs last year,” said Julie. “Everybody from the [assisted] living and healthcare area came out to watch and enjoy the hunt—it was so much fun!”
Her natural instinct to help others is something Julie believes she was born with and has served as a point of pride throughout her life.
“Since the age of three, I’ve had a feeling in my heart that God has expected me to help others, so I always have,” said Julie. “I’m very plain and simple, I don’t have any real talents or skills, but I have a loving and giving heart, and I want to jump up and help people right away.”
Beyond her regular volunteering duties, Julie fills in the remaining openings in her schedule by making pillows and writing notes to cancer patients, pricing items at the thrift shop and attending regular ladies’ luncheons. With so many daily activities, Julie is never one to be bored.
“I’m always very active and do a lot of things. There are too many things to do in the world to be bored,” said Julie. “It takes a lot more work to be grumpy than to be happy and have fun.”
Having lived in Salina for most of her life, Julie has felt right at home at Presbyterian Manor, since the moment she walked through the front door.
“To me, this is the ideal place. The people are so wonderful—my next-door neighbors are people I’ve known for years. They’re like family,” she said.
In addition to all of the friends she has among the community’s residents, Julie is also thankful for the members of the staff, who she has come to consider as friends as well.
“I can never brag enough about the staff. We’re really blessed to be here,” she said. “I tell everyone to come to Presbyterian Manor because it’s the best in the area.”
