Aug. 16, 2007

Friendship Trays News
Bring a Grand-Expert along when you volunteer

Becky and Gary Workman became volunteers for Friendship Trays right about the same time they became RSVP volunteers.

Friendship Trays is one of more than  50 nonprofit agencies that are part of the RSVP program, which places volunteers with area agencies.

When the Workmans went to the Senior Center back in March and met with Courtney White about getting involved, they knew exactly what type of volunteer experience to tell Courtney they were looking for: They wanted to deliver meals to the homebound.

Before his retirement, Gary and one of his business associates had done just that as part of the Department of Social Services home meal delivery program.  It was something that Gary got a lot of satisfaction in doing and was something he wanted to get back into. The DSS program was hit by budget cuts and has reduced the number of its clients.

So, now, each Wednesday, Gary and Becky volunteer by driving a meal route for Friendship Trays.

When they drive, they often are accompanied by granddaughter Carson or grandson Zachary.

By taking time out of their day to do so, eight individuals receive a much-needed healthy and nutritious meal.

And, as an added bonus, as RSVP Volunteers, Becky  and Gary were able to take conversational Spanish classes this spring at the Senior Center.

They enjoyed the classes so much, they are planning on continuing their "studies" when the Senior Center fall programming begins. OLE!