Voices of the volunteers newsletter feb 2017 public

VOICES OF THE VOLUNTEERS February 2017

“It’s

easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference. ” - Tom Brokaw

Thank you to the following men and women for their outstanding volunteerism. They have been nominated on behalf of their peers at their co-ops.

We appreciate all of your hard work!

Mary Bennett Ilsa Brewer Edith Burch Judy Elwell Darcie Freed Robert Gandreh Gary Graham Richard Griffin

Betty Harris Daniel “Rico” Hemphill Alice Lowe Hattie Lyles Janet O’Brien Bea Tear Irene Wells Willie Young

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VOICES OF THE VOLUNTEERS Dearborn Heights Co-op Betty Harris Betty Harris knows the co-op inside and out. She is the leasing chair and grounds committee chairperson. Also, she helps to find bids for projects in the co-op. Her help makes the co-op what it is.

Robert Gandreh Robert is a good spirited member though he is ill. When able he does what he can to help. He helps with the beautification of our grounds by cleaning and picking up papers in the parking lot. He takes pride in all that he does for the co-op.

Meyers Plaza Co-op Hattie Lyles Leadership sets the tone. When Hattie was president we received the Green Grant. She has also made many changes here that needed to be done. For nineteen years she has done lots of volunteer work here. She planted flowers out front and on the patio, and decorates for all of the holidays. Hattie has been president, vice president, secretary, floor rep, FCRC, congress, dĂŠcor, van driver, and hosted bingo. She also organized and sang in the Meyers Plaza choir.

Willie Young Willie turns cards every morning, checks on members, helps set-up for special activities, watches property and parking lot, and is involved with all programs and presentations.

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Worthy Ideal Likable Link Involved Extraordinary

Yield Open Useful Neighborly Guard

VOICES OF THE VOLUNTEERS Pontiac Village Estates Co-op Edith Burch Edith is a petite dynamo with a lively personality and a big heart.

Edith, a retired postal worker, keeps busy as the director of the senior choir at New Bethel Church.

Edith also finds plenty to do as the activities chairperson for Pontiac Village Estates. With the help of her hard working committee, she organizes events that keep the members active and entertained. Members look forward to game night, complete with hot dogs or hamburgers, chips and pop. A trip to Motor City Casino was a hit with the members—win, lose, or draw. Other activities have included two treasurers of the trunk yard sales, several bake sales, and a trip to Birch Run and Frankenmuth.

New Year’s and Valentine’s Day dinner/dances in 2016 got welldressed members toe tapping or dancing into the night. And once again, members looked spectacular as they dined and danced to welcome 2017.

As Gary Gray (décor chair) puts it, “Edith’s continued efforts of the entertainment and social gathering entail a lot of love and work!” Hoorah , Edith, and thank you for the good times!

Alice Lowe As a new member at Pontiac Village Estates, Alice didn’t hesitate to volunteer her services. She works as the 3rd floor representative, performing duties without an alternate to assist. She also volunteered to take the minutes at council meetings until a secretary was found. In the spring, Alice volunteered to help member Mary Trew plant and care for the beautiful flowers which graced the gazebo and grounds.

Alice’s latest endeavor is to run the general store, and she has been extremely successful. She purchased a desk, assembled it, and got down to business. Her shopping savvy provides members with much wanted and needed items. Thus far, she has turned in record sales.

Thank you, Alice, for your hard work and team spirit.

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VOICES OF THE VOLUNTEERS Southgate Co-op Mary Bennett Mary has worked in the library and also in the laundry room. She always takes shopping carts back to CVS every morning. Mary worked in the garden, helped set-up for dinners, and she still sweeps outside of the building just to keep things clean. She is one of the first people to live here and she is 99 years young.

Bea Tear Bea and husband John were some of the first people to move in when the building was built. They were door keepers. This couple checked all doors in the building, removed all trash, and looked after the co-op.

Bea has also volunteered during dinners, worked in the garden, helps in the library, and helps wherever she is needed. She is 95 years young.

Tivoli Manor Co-op Ilsa Brewer Not long after moving in Ilsa volunteered to be an alternate floor rep and ran for vice president. She has made friends and joined our group playing cards and games in the multi-purpose room. She is a real team player.

Richard Griffin Richard is our second floor rep and helps out whenever he can. He’s always there when we need him. He helps with the distribution of Focus Hope, and also volunteers by making cookies for the activity meetings. He is truly appreciated.

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VOICES OF THE VOLUNTEERS Trenton Towers Co-op Irene Wells Irene has been here at Trenton Towers for 25 years or so. She said she has volunteered for just about everything there is to volunteer for. Because of her age she had to stop. Irene deserves to be recognized for the volunteer jobs she has done over the years. Thank you Irene for your loyal dedicated work you did for us.

Gary Graham Gary has been here for 3 years, but it seems much longer. He is responsible for doing the monthly maintenance report. He helps set up for any activity going on in the activity room for our members and he does maintenance when needed. Thank you Gary for all you do for Trenton Towers.

Washington Square Co-op Judy Elwell Judy has lived here over 19 years, and has been on almost every committee at Washington Square. If you need help with a sale, dinner, bingo, etc., Judy is there volunteering. She’s a busy bee who's efforts are really appreciated.

Darcie Freed Darcie is a relatively new person to our co-op. She has jumped right in and works at the showcase several days a week and is friendly and helpful to all she meets.

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VOICES OF THE VOLUNTEERS Wyandotte Co-op Janet O’ Brien Janet is known for her home cooked meals for our members, and is always willing to say yes for any projects going on. She is an active members at the V.F. W. and helps at the V.A. Hospital. Her smiling face always makes it a better day.

Daniel “Rico” Hemphill Rico has lived here a year and is very active at Wyandotte Co-op. He is on the house rules/ bylaws committee as well as the election committee. With a perpetual smile he is always willing to help in anyway that is needed or asked of him. He is a asset to the co-op.

Nominate Volunteers in Your Co-op!

To nominate volunteers to be recognized in the next issue of the “Voices of the Volunteers,” talk to your Congress Delegates.

The Congress Delegates will take nominations and then submit a maximum of two volunteers to be recognized per issue.

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