POST FALLS - Bea Olenslager looks forward to Wednesdays.

That's the day Bea Hancock, a volunteer with an Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho program called Friendship Corps, comes to Olenslager's apartment to play cards and provide companionship.

"It gives me something to do besides sit and look at the television or talk to the cat," said the homebound 82-year-old Olenslager between card hands.

Friendship Corps, which seeks volunteers 55 and older and requires participants to visit homebound seniors at least twice a month, is a two-way street.

Hancock said it has been a pleasure going to Olenslager's place for some company since October.

"We have such a good time that I come every Wednesday," Hancock said. "I have the time, and I'm happy to help somebody. We have a great relationship. I hope the program is around if I ever get homebound."

Volunteers are paired with seniors with similar interests.

Friendship Corps began about a year ago and has grown to 12 volunteers who have spent about 400 hours with those in need.

More volunteers are needed. The Area Agency on Aging will start its next group of training sessions for volunteers on Thursday. There are four three-hour sessions on consecutive Thursdays starting at 9 a.m. at the agency at 2120 Lakewood Drive, Suite B, Coeur d'Alene.

Informational meetings are held for volunteers every six weeks.

Tammie Puga, the program coordinator, said the volunteers get as much out of the program as the homebound seniors.

"It fills a loneliness void in some of my volunteers," said Puga, who used to be a volunteer herself. "They love to visit because it gets them out. They do it out of the goodness of their heart."

Puga said the program helps keep people active and out of nursing homes longer.

She said a similar program that focuses solely on veterans may be developed.

"There's a lot of people out here who could use a friendly face," Puga said, adding that the time spent can range from visiting to walking to playing games.

Olenslager had a lot of companionship when she lived in her Rathdrum home, but when she moved to her Post Falls apartment a year ago, the company decreased.

That's why Friendship Corps has helped.

"It keeps my mind wide open," Olenslager said of the program and resulting activity.

How to help

n The Area Agency on Aging of North Idaho is seeking volunteers for its Friendship Corps program. The four-part, three-hour training sessions start on Thursday and are held on consecutive Thursdays starting at 9 a.m. at the Area Agency on Aging, 2120 Lakewood Dr., Suite B, Coeur d'Alene. For more information or to sign up, call Tammie Puga, program coordinator, at 667-3179, ext. 234, or email tpuga@aaani.org.