Church to host program for caregivers

Queen for a Day, a time to honor and pamper women who provide care for a family member with a disability, will be offered at Brick Lane Community Church in Elverson on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Throughout the event, women will enjoy a free lunch, craft activities, manicures and more.

According to event organizer Carol Hoke, this is the 19th year that the church has offered the Queen for a Day program, which is designed to provide the women with support and encouragement. "(Sometimes you feel) you are the only one walking this road," said Hoke. "(Seeing) all of these people having a more difficult than normal life because of a disability day in and day out is an encouragement."

The event will begin with registration, and muffins, yogurt and coffee will be served. Women can also sign up for the various free programs that are being offered. "We are offering haircuts and styling, AromaTouch therapy and a Bible discussion group," said Hoke. Also offered will be a pressed flower craft, a flower arranging class, a pen and ink drawing craft, a nutrition seminar and a sewing activity.

"Registration will be for an hour. You can come in and learn to know other people and enjoy the quietness," said Hoke.

Following registration, there will be a worship service in the church sanctuary with music, Scripture readings, a talk by a guest speaker and a symbolic Blessing of Hands ceremony. "There is a pitcher and a bowl, and (attendees) wash their hands because their hands are what are being used to serve," Hoke explained. "After the ceremony, all of the volunteers that are present come in and make a circle around the guests. That helps (the women) to know how many people are loving on them that day." She said that youths who are washing the ladies' cars in the church parking lot also participate.

Lunch will include a baked potato bar served buffet style, along with soup. Tables in the church's fellowship hall will be set up by church members. "Each table has its own setting of china. Church members will sign up if they want to set a table," Hoke explained. "It's good for people who can't be there to help on that day. So they come the day before and decorate their table and come afterwards and take it down."

Offered during the afternoon will be foot massages, manicures and hand waxing, which is a therapeutic treatment were people place their hands in tubs of warm paraffin wax.

About 100 church volunteers will work during the day, along with those who decorate the fellowship hall in advance and the cleanup crew.

Hoke, whose husband, Curtis, is a quadriplegic, attended a similar Queen for a Day event in Lancaster and decided to bring it to Brick Lane. "I was greatly encouraged. I met people and (realized) I am not in this by myself," she stated. "I said we could do it here at our church. We had 35 the first year and we had enough interest and manpower to double it, and then we topped it off at 80."

She noted that Curtis, a church deacon, presents a dinner and square dance for couples affected by disability at the church every spring.

Brick Lane Community Church is located at 52 S. Brick Lane, Elverson. Registration for Queen for a Day is limited to 80 participants. If the event reaches capacity, there will be a waiting list. Child care will not be provided. To register, visit http://www.brick52.org/act-now and choose "Attend Queen for a Day." Those with questions may contact the church office at 610-286-6790 or info.desk@brick52.org.