wanting donations, but this feels more tangible and substantial than just writing a check.” While Scholz cooks the eggs to perfection, Tom Vitt ’84 cuts up fruit with his daughter Julianne, who is along today for the first time. Vitt is a regular volunteer at Opportunity Center’s luncheon meal with his church group. With TWS he enjoys being able to serve and prepare a really nice meal with friends from Saint John’s and Saint Ben’s. “Many people going through the line give you a smile, a thank you, or ‘God bless you,’ and that makes you feel good. They are also happy because we serve a full, hot breakfast,” he explains. “It’s too bad that so many people are in need of a free meal. Being here each time makes you aware of that.” Thinking back to his days at Saint John’s, Vitt recalls the Benedictine lessons about having balance in life, in work and worship and play and sees his volunteer work as a way to help achieve that balance. And while his volunteer work sets a good example for his children, he says, “That’s not why I’m doing it. I’m here because it’s a lot of fun.” Others on hand at Opportunity
Tom Vitt ’84 finds that volunteering with Time Well Spent helps him maintain a "Benedictine balance" of work, worship and play.
nity to socialize with classmates. He recalls the first time he showed up to cook and serve: “My first impression was of surprise by the number of folks who were there to eat a meal. It was a higher number than I’d expected and was definitely a melting pot of people and cultures.” Though he has done various kinds of volunteer work over the years, Scholz says, “This is not something I would have done on my own if I didn’t have the path to this through Nick.” His favorite thing about it is the opportunity to socialize with great people while doing something productive, he says, “and you do feel good about how you’ve spent your morning. It’s rewarding—albeit just a small slice of making an impact on others in our community. There are certainly many viable charities
Center to do cooking and serving duty this morning include group leader Nick, Margie Engerski Wiehoff ’84 and Suzette Sutherland ’84. Wiehoff is a regular volunteer, and her husband, John ’84, and daughter fill in occasionally when their busy schedules allow. Though she signed on to the group for altruistic reasons, she says “I realized quickly that being here is just fun. I came out of a sense of duty and doing the right thing, and I quickly discovered that it’s a lot of fun. Doing something good for others and at the same time having a great time. It’s really been a blessing. “I especially enjoy the camaraderie, reconnecting with friends, seeing them more often and meeting their kids,” Wiehoff adds. “Our daughter, Michelle, has enjoyed meeting the Johnnie and Bennie alumni and working alongside of them like family. And it’s been good to share the mission of service to the poor and homeless with our children.” Sutherland, who brings the most energy to this early morning crew, sees how being a part of this group is an extension of the values they all absorbed at CSB and SJU. “The Benedictine values that resonate most
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