Henriette Santrella.

People of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy the challenges and benefits that result from sharing their time, resources and love with those in need. One of the reasons that some mature volunteers devote so much of their free time to giving back to their community is that volunteering provides them with an opportunity to continue to use and share the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their lifetime. Henriette Santrella of Prospect Heights feels that she has the perfect volunteer assignment, because even though her children are all grown up, she can still sit in a rocking chair and cuddle and rock babies. "When a child smiles at me or pulls on my leg it makes me feel great," Santrella said. "There is such a feeling of love when you see the babies. They have such a look of trust about them, and when I go home, I feel that maybe the world is okay after all. I have 12 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, and hugs and kisses are very important to me. Some of them live in Georgia and some in South Dakota, so I only get to see them about four times a year. Being here with the babies helps me to feel connected, even though I can't be with them as much as I would like. A person can put on all the makeup in the world, but it doesn't make you young. It's being with the babies and watching them develop that keeps me young; the children provide me with youth."

The infants at the Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center in Northbrook probably have no idea how fortunate they are to have Santrella as part of their lives. However, Arlene Frumkin, Human Resources Coordinator/Volunteer Coordinator at the Nielsen center said, “The babies’ faces light up when they see her come into the room, and her face lights up as well. She’s genuinely happy to be here, and she brings so much joy to the center. Henriette has faithfully come in once a week for at least five years, and at one point, we were fortunate enough to also have her daughter and granddaughter working here.”

Santrella works with eight infants at the center whose ages range from approximately six weeks to one year. She gives them their bottles, burps them, and talks and sings to them in addition to the holding and rocking. She also assists the teachers by sitting on the floor and playing with them, reading books, and doing puzzles. She does not change diapers or help with cleaning activities or food preparation. “There is something about the smell of a baby that gives me such a beautiful feeling, and the scent of baby powder is the most precious cologne that I know of,” she said. “The infant rooms are absolutely beautiful, and they have fantastic equipment and toys. The staff is so totally dedicated to the needs of the children, and they give them so much love and attention that the parents know their children are in good hands.”

The Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center was started in 1988 by Mrs. Gertrude B. Nielsen, wife of A. C. Nielsen, who was 90 years of age when she acquired the land and set up the center. Although Mrs. Nielsen has since passed away, her family continues to be involved in its operation. The Mission of the center is to establish a partnership with families to support their children’s development and serve as a model for quality early childhood education. This state-of-the-art, fully accredited facility, offers full-day year around care for children from six weeks through kindergarten. It is an intern site for college and university students, and is considered an exemplary model of what early childhood education programs should be.

“Family is what it’s all about,” Santrella emphasized, “they are my top priority.” Her family includes four daughters and one son, and she keeps in touch with them almost daily by phone. She is deeply devout, and proud to be a homemaker. She was born and raised on the South side of Chicago, and worked as a switchboard operator in her younger years. Henriette, who is also known as Dolly, recently celebrated her 80th birthday, and enjoys watching TV in her spare time.

Volunteer opportunities are available at the Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center, as well as at a wide variety of other not-for-profit agencies and schools in the Northwest suburbs. For information contact The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (for people of all ages) at 847-228-1320, or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (seniors age 55 or better) at 847-228-1006. Opportunities for service to those in need are also available for families, groups and corporations. Check their website www.volunteerinfo.net for details.

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