Volunteer Services

SHARING GIFTS & HELPING OTHERS

“When I can help someone—and not just do something for someone—if I can enable them to do it for themselves, that is so rewarding,” says Charley Hentz, Garden Spot Village resident since October 2013. Charley, a retired math and science teacher, finds great satisfaction in teaching. This desire to help others shines through his volunteer roles at Garden Spot Village. Once a month, Charley drives the shuttle to Yoder’s Country Market. He picks up the keys and the 14-passenger bus, and starts his trip through the community, stopping first at the South Entrance of the Village Square Apartments, then Gardens East, the Apartment Suites Lobby, and finally, the Village Square Main Entrance. He picks up shoppers and transports them to the Yoder’s shopping complex. He makes his first drop at Yoder’s, then heads to the Fulton Bank, dropping off the riders who have transactions to complete. He waits outside, then transports his passengers to Yoder’s for a quick shopping trip. He delights in taking the extra step, helping people on and off the bus, loading and unloading their groceries and generally making their trip as enjoyable as possible. Charley notes that residents who take advantage of the shopping shuttle do so because they no longer have a car or are no longer able to drive. The weekly shuttle allows them to do their own shopping, rather than relying on family or friends to take them or to pick up groceries for them. He has regular riders who ride along each time he drives the bus. Offering his neighbors the freedom to go to the grocery store means a lot to Charley. “Residents are so appreciative to have someone take them to the store. It is so rewarding to be able to help them in that way,” Charley says. In addition to the shopping shuttle, Charley volunteers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and the Technology Assistance Group (TAG). He also works in the Chapel sound booth and provides tech support for movies shown in the Theater. He is very involved in the Wood Shop and the Train Room, as well. Charley encourages others to join the pool of volunteer shuttle drivers. “You don’t need a special license, and the bus is not hard to drive.” He appreciates the opportunity to connect with others in his community. Plus, he says, “In less than two hours, you are already back from the trip.” Volunteer Services coordinates the weekly shuttles to Yoder’s on Thursdays at 1pm and Shady Maple on the second Tuesday of each month. To volunteer as a shuttle driver, contact Daryl Groff, director of Volunteer Services, at (6204).