Senior Village is celebrating National Volunteer Month with an appreciation event on Thursday, April 18. Senior Village would like to salute our more than 400 volunteers who are the heart of our neighbors helping neighbors services. The growth of Senior Village and expansion of types of assistance can be directly attributed to our committed volunteers.
Each of our over 400 volunteers has a story about how they got started with Senior Village. They also can tell you about what it means to be a volunteer. Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with four volunteers who have been with Senior Village since its inception in 2016. Bob Alvarez, Silke Bender, Tim Morsani and Jeanne Ragan shared their experiences and insights.
In a trip down memory lane, Silke, Bob, Jeanne and Tim recalled the beginnings of Senior Village. Gary Hammond and Dick Fleming traveled the country looking into Senior Village-type programs before founding the organization in 2016. They rallied friends and held neighborhood meetings to recruit volunteers, and among the first to answer the call were Tim, Jeanne, Silke and Bob.
Jeanne Ragan volunteers on the Fun with Friends Team and she’s also helped with the Lockbox Team and COVID vaccination program. Jeanne finds such great rewards from helping members celebrate their birthdays and bringing joy to those who are alone. “It’s about giving back,” shared Jeanne. “Life is a circle and one day we may need help. We are looking out for each other. It’s like being with a family.”
Growing up on a farm, Tim Morsani’s passion for fixing things is now channeled into his roles on the Helping Hands and Home Technology Teams. Tim confessed that, “Volunteering for Senior Village is mostly a selfish endeavor. I need to stay busy and helping people is an easy way to do that. As a volunteer, I get to stay productive and that means a lot. The appreciation I receive from the members is a bonus.”
Silke Bender initially volunteered as a driver and served as Volunteer Coordinator before becoming Team Leader for the Going My Way Team. Eight years later, Silke still loves driving people and believes that “Senior Village is one of the BEST things to have ever happened in SaddleBrooke. We’re taking care of each other. That’s what it’s all about.”
When Bob Alvarez’s knees told him he could no longer play senior baseball, he found Senior Village. As an engineer, Bob’s love of fixing things led him to the Helping Hands and Home Technology Teams. When Bob returns to his summer home in Colorado, he works with a similar program. “I like to help other people and meet people from around the country,” noted Bob. “It’s about neighbors helping neighbors.”
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