Florence Koss is 98-years-old and lives by herself in the home she’s had for 73 years, so it’s understandable that she needs a little help with household chores and everyday activities from time to time. Once a week a woman from the Sammamish organization, Faith in Action, stops by to take Koss shopping and help with a few necessary things around Koss’ house. Recently three volunteers with the Youth Volunteer Corps, a part of the CampFire organization, came by with their AmeriCorps leader to do yard work and any other little job Koss could think of.

Koss learned about the program, which aims to help senior citizens with the help of volunteers, several years ago, when her husband was sick and she couldn’t drive.

“I think we should have scads of people out helping the elderly,” said Koss. “It’s really nice.”

Shortly after the volunteer’s arrival, which included Camilia Gomez, 17, Ivan Leniski, 15, and Ryan Pollock, 15, they were hauling wood into the kitchen to be used later as firewood.

Stephan Miller, the AmeriCorp leader of the group, said much of the work at the homes of those on their lists has been out in the yard, removing blackberry bushes, or moving around furniture. Miller said they’ve done what they can to improve the resident’s access to various places.

“Just whatever little things they have in mind,” said Miller. “I think it’s a cool experience for me to see all the ways we can help.”

Janice Aquirre, Koss’ daughter, who was visiting from Michigan, said the program has been great for her mother, helping her with things she needs, as well as getting her together with friends.

Faith in Action, which has an office in the Mary, Our Queen of Peace Catholic church in Sammamish, began originally 11 years ago, as a sector of Providence Marionwood’s work to reach out to seniors. In January, the organization moved out on its own, said executive director Claire Petersky, which has always been a long term goal of Faith in Action. The organization strives to help provide services to seniors who live in their own home or apartment, such as transportation to a medical appointment or to the grocery store and housekeeping help. The Sammamish organization is one of approximately 500 across the nation, Petersky said, that share logo’s and names as a network.

Petersky said they have about 150 clients and about 100 volunteers to help the seniors. A portion of the volunteers are matched together based on the services needed and what a volunteer in interested in doing. Petersky said about 35 of the 100 of the volunteers are matched to a client and visit them on a regular basis, while another group volunteers specifically for driving and Petersky said the rest of her regular volunteers help with special projects or as they can.

The three students volunteering at Koss’ house said heard about the opportunity in various ways, but all had a desire to help someone. Gomez said she found the opportunity to work with YVC and Faith in Action online, while Leniski, a student at Interlake High School in Bellevue, was turned onto the group by a teacher in sixth-grade. He’s been volunteering with YVC ever since, while Pollock said a friend told him about the organization.

Interested volunteers can contact the organization via the phone at 425-369-9120 or by visiting their Web site www.faithinaction4seniors.org.