Volunteer: Rita Burgess

Volunteer Spotlight: Rita Burgess

By Jodi Lower

Rita Burgess and her husband Bob have been living in the Leland area for six years. They discovered this gem and moved here from Cincinnati, Ohio. Rita was drawn to the beaches in the area and the weather, as winters in Ohio can be very cold and snowy. The Burgesses have enjoyed the neighborhood they found and feel blessed with great neighbors.

Fun in the Sun

In her free time, Rita enjoys gardening and learning about the plants that grow in this area, which is very diff erent from what grows in Ohio. She meets up with her master gardener friends and tours local gardens or visits local greenhouses and plant growers. This past year, she has attended classes to learn how to do oil painting.

In her free time, Rita also enjoys reading a good book, taking walks on the beach, listening to music, and organizing things.

Where to Volunteer?

Rita and Bob found out about BSRI by searching on the internet. They knew they wanted to volunteer with seniors. They choose our organization because of the variety of opportunities we off er our seniors and volunteers.

Rita has been a volunteer with BSRI for four years. When she fi rst started volunteering with us, she worked part-time as the front desk receptionist at the Leland Center. In the past year, she has been helping Jodi Lower, volunteer coordinator, by entering mileage data submitted by Meals on Wheels volunteers. This is a huge help and brings in her organizational skills that she loves.

Rita enjoys volunteering because she feels it is important to be involved in the community. It’s rewarding and helps her keep up on her computer skills.

She also is a master gardener volunteer and a board member of the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association of New Hanover County at the Arboretum.

Rita has been a great asset to BSRI and loves putting in the time volunteering to make a diff erence and engage with the community.

Rita and Bob Burgess have lived in the Leland area for six years. They knew when they moved here they wanted to volunteer with seniors, so they found out about BSRI by searching on the internet. They choose BSRI because of the variety of opportunities that we offer our seniors and volunteers.