Celebrate Service - A Salute to Volunteers

CELEBRATE

SERVICE

A salute to volunteers

A PUBLICATION OF THE

Standard Fredericksburg Radio Post

Volunteerism helps those who give as much as those who receive.

Look inside to see local examples and find out where you, no matter your age, can offer a helping hand.

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Photo by Robbyn Dodd/ Robbyn Dodd Photography

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CELEBRATE SERVICE

— A salute to volunteers

Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

A ‘Riveter,’ an adventurer Hospital helpers among many who pitch in to help Hill Country Memorial be a top organization

By Ken Esten Cooke

O

ne was “Rosie the Riveter” and lived life as an adventurer.

These two longtime Hill Country Memorial Hospital volunteers help with different efforts at the facility and its assorted organizations.

Josephine Alberthal has assisted at the Hill Country Memorial Hospice Thrift Shop for more than two decades.

Linda Blevins settled down after an adventurous life and now gives time at the hospital’s front desk and gift shop.

Both women help the hospital save hundreds of thousands of dollars in labor costs, yet it goes much deeper than that. Both women are fulfilled by their giving service and they enjoy the camaraderie of this unique organization.

Josephine Alberthal Alberthal’s reasons for giving time are personal. The thrift store supports HCM’s hospice efforts.

After losing her husband, Erwin, to cancer in 1990, she wants to do what she can to help others going through similar loss.

“I believe in hospice,” she said.

“All three of my sons have dealt with cancer, but survived, fortunately. One of my daughters-inlaw died from breast cancer. And my husband died.”

“If someone I know dies, and there is a hospice for a memorial, I always make a donation,” she said.

“It’s comforting for people going through loss.”

She began dating Erwin Alberthal before the war began. Erwin was stationed overseas as a staff sergeant, overseeing German prisoners since the Fredericksburg native spoke German.

Linda Blevins and Josephine Alberthal

Josephine worked in Fort Worth at Consolidated Aircraft Corporation as a “Rosie the Riveter,” helping build a fleet of B-24 bombers.

A “Rosie” poster still hangs in her kitchen today.

After the war, the two were married in January 1946 at Pat’s Hall.

Josephine raised children and worked 24 years at Sunday House Foods, while Erwin worked at Western Auto. He passed at age 66.

At age 70 and a widow, she didn’t want to continue working, but wanted to stay active and give back. So she began volunteering at the Hospice Thrift Store, located at 520 Granite Ave. (across from Andy’s Steak and Seafood Grille).

There, she hangs blouses, tidies up coat hangers and does whatever is needed.

“I’m among the people all the time. It gives me something to do and look forward to,” she said.

“I’ve met so many nice people, and I also get to see people I haven’t seen in a long time.”

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Thrift Store Director Dayton Land said Alberthal is a huge asset to the store.

“She takes such pride in what she does,” Land said. “She lost her husband years ago and she still carries on well for herself. She has true concern for doing what she can for the hospice program.”

That includes interacting with the public and others who might be dealing with tough times.

“Josephine has a huge heart for anyone that’s hurting and needing some empathy,” he said. “She’s always there for them.”

Linda Blevins Blevins led a different path to her volunteerism.

She and her husband, Frank, followed his high-rise construction career, which took them to California, Washington and, after their children were grown, a stint in England before landing in the Lone Star State.

Her husband then moved into the trucking business, and Blevins

followed him.

“I went to school to learn how to drive a semi, then did that for about a year and a half,” she said.

The pair then heard the call of the sea.

“We owned her for about eight years,” she said of their boat Wind River, a 44-foot sailboat. “So we quit our jobs and took her and just played for a couple of years, sailing around the Caribbean and Central America.”

They enjoyed the people they met on the high seas.

“It’s surprising how many people do that,” she said. “We never went anywhere we didn’t run into other Texans. We met up with owners of about four other boats that we got along well with, so we ended up going place to place. It was work doing the sails, but when we docked, we’d have sun-shiny days with nothing to do except swim or snorkel or meet friends for drinks.”

The pair then bought land near Fredericksburg and began to build a home.

Blevins began volunteering at the hospital’s gift shop around five years ago. She now divides her time between the shop and the front desk reception area.

She also serves on the “R&R” committee — Rewards and Recognition. “Basically, we just plan all the parties, so it’s a lot of fun,” she said.

Blevins had volunteered at other facilities, but she said HCM is different.

“The hospital is amazing. I like the whole attitude,” she said.

“They’re happy to have you there, and the staff always smiles and talks to us. You always feel better when you’re there, which is not always the case in a hospital.

They work at that, but it’s a defi-

nite feeling there. It’s a wonderful place.”

Blevins said because of her relatively isolated country home, she enjoys coming into town.

“Meeting people means a lot to me,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of friends. And the longer I work there, the more I appreciate what they’re doing.”

Blevins said she has been there every week for five years, and is still impressed with the organization and learning things each week.

“They’re all about helping people,” she said. “I had one lady come into the gift shop one night. We had closed, but I was still there, so I let the lady in. She stayed there about 30 minutes.

She just needed someone to talk to. Some people at hospitals are going through a difficult time, and they just need a smile and someone to talk to, and it’s a little bit better.” Blevins said it’s “an amazing feeling” to be able to comfort and help people.

“The people there really care about what they do,” she said, “whether it’s the maintenance guys, or the nurses, or the kitchen workers — they’re all positive.”

Blevins said the hospital’s quest for quality, which culminated in a recent Baldrige Award, permeated the environment.

“Nobody wants to be sick, but when you are, you couldn’t pick a better spot,” she said.

Linda Davis, HCM volunteer coordinator, said Blevins is the kind of person all organizations wish they had.

“Linda is as beautiful on the inside as the outside,” Davis said.

“There is no job too small for her to take on and complete with perfection. She’s one of our go-to volunteers.”

Total hours worked by volunteers at Hill Country Memorial Hospital

Total number of volunteers at Hill Country Memorial Hospital

140

* At $20/hour (including would-be employee benefits), volunteer efforts are worth $718,920 to HCM

Need someone to talk to about a bad marriage or home situation?

Call the Hill Country Community Needs Council

(830) 997-9756

Center for New Communities Early Head Start Program is searching for motivated Teachers in the Fredericksburg, TX (Little Lambs) Location.

Do you have?: • HS Diploma or equivalent • Experience in a Child Care or Teaching Environment • Must be willing to earn CDA upon hire • More info on CDA given at interview

“Mentors Make A Difference” Frederickburg Academic Boosters 830-990-8967

If any of these points apply to you, please contact Human Resources at 210-314-3208 for instruction on how to apply. We offer competitive pay with a great benefits package.

We have a great work schedule (7:15-3:45) along with a 4:1 Ratio of children with Teachers.

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Thank you to all our volunteers!

Optimist Club of Fredericksburg Hitting a Home Run for Gillespie County Kids!

The local club supports:

Salutes Our All Volunteer Staff 72,050 Hours since 2006!!!

Our Volunteers are TERRIFIC! Come join our friendly volunteer family!

23247 W. U.S. Hwy. 290 in Harper

Call 830.864.4993 or 830.864.5870 32217.47

Medallion Club Boys & Girls Club Crime Stoppers T-Ball Academic Boosters 100 Club Punt, Pass & Kick Respect the Law Bike Rodeo OI Golf Hill Country Community Needs Council Pioneer Memorial Library Come join us to bring the best out of kids! Join the Optimists! Contact President Joe Kammlah at jkammlah@austin.rr.com; Winnie Steinweg at missysgr8mom@austin.rr.com or Jo-Ann Finn at josiefinn@hctc.net.

CELEBRATE SERVICE

Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

— A salute to volunteers 3

Nurturing the future

Local Optimist Club works to develop county youth

package.

“It’s awesome to me just to see the talent and the capabilities that some of these kids have,” Immel said. “You’ve got sophomores in high school that can stand up there and belt out an oratory better than many, many adults.

When you see the essay contest, some of the content that’s written there is just fantastic.”

The club provides leadership training for teens through Texans/Tex-Annes and the Gold Youth Leadership program held by regional Optimist groups throughout the state.

The new venture for the group is helping out with the effort to revitalize the Frantzen Park in conjunction with Leadership Gillespie County and funding playground equipment for the facility.

By Matt Ward

S

ome of Fredericksburg’s most positive citizens are focused on local youth.

Members of the Optimist Club of Fredericksburg — now in its 32nd year — offer a wide variety of programs for local young people, the future of Gillespie County.

“We feel like we’re trying to take stake into our own future,” club vice-president and longtime member Russell Immel said. “We always try to encourage kids to think about Fredericksburg as your home for the rest of your life, because I know when I was in high school, you talk to all the kids and the first thing they couldn’t wait to do was leave Fredericksburg and get out of here.”

The group will host their largest fundraiser of the year this weekend, May 1-3, with the annual Hill Country Run motorcycle rally in Luckenbach. About 1,000 riders are expected to participate in the event.

Sports programs The local Optimist Club is wellknown in the community for their many sports-based youth endeavors, including the group’s t-ball league, now in season.

“We have a full 12 teams every year, sometimes we have too many kids on a team, but it’s a real good learning, starting point for them,” Immel said.

T-ball started as a program for seven- and eight-year-olds, but has since lowered its eligibility to five- and six-year-olds.

Optimist Club of Fredericksburg vice-president Russell Immel takes a hands-on approach to working with local youth during the club’s annual punt, pass and kick competition held each September. — Standard-Radio Post file photo “It used to be where we had everybody hit off the tee. Now we actually toss to them and give them a chance to hit it. If they can’t, then they can hit it off the tee,” Immel said. “You can tell the difference. It has brought them up to another level.”

The annual punt, pass and kick competition, hosted by the group each September, allows younger

boys and girls to step onto the field at Fredericksburg High School Stadium and interact with some of their role models — FHS varsity football players.

“Punt, pass and kick is kind of a unique competition in the fact that there’s a lot of them that look forward to that every year,” Immel said. “We broker the deal that puts them with the high school

football players, some of the kids that they look up to and they get to mingle with them. It’s a great situation.”

Other efforts The local Optimist Club also helps out in the classroom, sponsoring essay and oratorical contests that can carry scholarship money as part of the prize

How to join Anyone interested in joining the Optimist Club of Fredericksburg may contact chapter president Joe Kammlah at jkammlah@austin.rr.com; Winnie Steinweg at missysgr8mom@austin.rr.com; or Jo-Ann Finn at josiefinn@ hctc.net.

“When the Optimist organization was created, its goal was to bring out the best in kids but also to develop optimism as a way of life,” Kammlah said. “We hope others will join us in that effort.”

Prospective new members can attend one of the group’s weekly meetings, held from 6:30-7:30 a.m., Tuesday mornings, at Taqueria Altos de Jalisco #6 — located at 1410 East Main Street.

“In my mind, everybody needs to give back to the community in some form or fashion. Some people choose to do it with church.

Some people volunteer at different places,” Immel said. “I try to do it wherever I can. I’ve always considered the Optimist Club to be a very good organization. I’ve seen a lot of transition over the years, but our core values have always been there.”

CELEBRATE SERVICE

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— A salute to volunteers

Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

Reading program fuel for success and spent 20 minutes of her lunch break two days a week lorecita Colmenero, a reading to a student. senior at Fredericks“I met her the fall of this burg High School school year,” said Meghan linked her success in school Schneider, OTTER coordiand through life’s hardships nator. “(Colmenero) came to the Our Time to Enjoy down and said, ‘I heard the Reading (OTTER) program. announcement about OTColmenero was a parTER and I’d like to read.’ At ticipant in OTTER as a that point in time she didn’t kindergartner in 2002. The mention that she had been program, which is run out an OTTER kid herself.” of Fredericksburg Primary Schneider said, she found School, pairs kindergartners out about Colmenero’s hiswith community volunteers tory with the program after for one-on-one reading sesthe Christmas break. sions.

“She happened to be in the “I remember doing OTroom finishing her lunch and TER when I was in kindershe said, ‘I remember being garten. This lady would read in this room with my reader.’ to me. I would sit on her lap ” Schneider said. “I thought and she would read to me. it was an incredible story. It’s She would even visit me in a two-fold thing. First, it’s a elementary school and read good story to share and secto me sometimes,” Colmenond it does good things for ero said. “We didn’t do a lot the program.” of reading at home, since Colmenero said, “I know my parents would be workthat this program helped ing and everything and they me and made an impact, so didn’t speak English.”

I wanted to do the same for Colmenero’s family came another child.” to Fredericksburg from GuaThe good Colmenero has najuato, Mexico in the early done was evident on the face 2000s. of Kailynn Thomas, who She said her involvement flashed a bright smile each with the program made her day Colmenero came to read want to help others. She to her, said Schneider. volunteered to be an OTThis help extended to TER reader last semester Colmenero’s own family. On

By Christine Granados

F

As an OTTER volunteer, Florecita Colmenero (right) read to Kailynn Thomas twice a week for 20 minutes in the same room where she was read to as a kindergartner. — Submitted photo

March 6, 2011, Colmenero’s father, Senen Colmenero, fell from an 18-wheeler and hit his head on the concrete.

She remembered the date because she was supposed to have her quinceañera that year, which was cancelled due to his injuries and rehabilitation.

“He has something called apraxia. You know everything in your mind but it doesn’t come out (of your mouth) the way you want it too. He has problems with speech and his right side doesn’t function, but he’s learning how to write his name with his right hand,” Colmenero said.

“In a way, the OTTER program might have helped, because in a way he has the mind of a child, but not really,” Colmenero said. “I have more patience with him when I read him Spanish novellas. There’s a lot of those in Walmart, they’re kind of like soap operas or romance novels.”

Schneider said some high school seniors have a difficult time sticking to their weekly commitment but Colmenero had no problems.

“She was very good about understanding and accepting responsibility and taking

charge of it,” Schneider said.

Responsibility is one thing Colmenero has in abundance. The teenager, who was accepted at the University of North Texas State and Texas State, plans to attend TSU in the fall of 2016 and major in business.

“I chose business marketing because fashion design was what I’ve wanted to do since I was eight years old.

I can remember cutting up my mom’s curtains to make a dress. She wasn’t too happy about it,” she said of her mother, Teresita Colmenero.

“But everybody said I should also do something else because it’s hard to get into the fashion industry. I’m going to minor in education or something like that, because I’m bilingual and I can help a lot of kids who need it.”

She’s already helping students. In addition to volunteering with the OTTER program, Colmenero mentors kids after school for Transform at the Hill Country Evangelical Free Church and works part-time as a cashier at Whataburger.

These community relationships helped Colmenero to establish a firm foundation for reading and excel as student, said Schneider.

Volunteer Opportunities in Fredericksburg —A— Admiral Nimitz Foundation / National Museum of the Pacific War Stefanie Lebens, Director of Programs and Volunteers 340 East Main Street, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-8600 ext. 223 manee@nimitzfoundation.org www.pacificwarmuseum.org •Mission Statement: “Inspire our youth, by honoring our heroes.”

•What Organization Does: Operates the National Museum of the Pacific War. •Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Gallery attendants, oral history transcribers, living history actors, marketing distribution, general office work.

•Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Reconstruction of the museum’s Higgins Boat.

•Other help needed: Flowers, decorations, food, beverages both alcoholic and non, support for kids programming and general handyman work.

—B— Bethany Preschool Stephanie Sanchez, Director 110 West Austin Street, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-8751 stephanie.bethanyps@gmail.com www.bethanyfredericksburg.com •Mission Statement: Sharing the love of Christ and nurturing the whole child — spiritually, emotionally, physically and academically — through age appropriate education.

•What Organization Does: Provide quality and affordable childcare in a Christian nurturing environment for families in the community.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: People to read stories to children and some to do minor repairs at the school.

•Special Projects during the year when volunteers

are needed: Fajita Dinner, Cookie Dough Fundraiser, Thanksgiving Dinner, painting classrooms and repairs on playground.

Other help needed such as in-kind donations: Crayons, scissors, copy paper, washable markers, childrens’ clothes, sizes 2-5.

Big Give S.A. Scott McAninch, Contact 303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 114, San Antonio, Texas 78215 210-229-0333 thebiggivesa@gmail.com www.thebiggivesa.org •Mission Statement: The purpose of this event is to assist in bringing small, hometown causes to a national stage, to raise awareness and to find donors to help make beneficial changes in our community through crowd funding online. The goals of The Big Give S.A. are to: 1. Invest strategically in Bexar and surrounding county nonprofits; 2. Drive our community forward through collective impact; and, 3. Leverage giving with matching funds and prize incentives.

•What Organization Does: The Big Give S.A. is a 24-hour day of giving that will take place from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on May 5, 2015. With hundreds of local nonprofits representing over a dozen counties, including The Good Samaritan Center, Bethany Preschool, Boys and Girls Club of Fredericksburg, Christian Outdoor Alliance (of Mason), Fredericksburg Dog Park Association, Fredericksburg Shines, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fredericksburg, Hill Country Community Needs Council, Hill Country SPCA, MOM Center, Stonewall Head Start, Inc., Texas Center for Wine and Culinary Arts and the Texas Society for the Preservation of St. Joseph’s Halle.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: People to log in online May 5 and donate.

•Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: See each organization’s respective listing on this page for other ways to contribute.

zations to submit their forms for inclusion on our website. This will be an annual publication and a Volunteer page will be added to www.fredericksburgstandard.com.

Chairman 408 Cora, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-4837 tcollier212@austin.rr.com •Mission Statement: Blue Monday began in August 2014 as an opportunity for progressive and Democratic women to meet each other and discuss local, state and national issues. The group meets every other month.

•What Organization Does: The group works for the election of progressive and Democratic candidates and the promotion of issues like equal pay for equal work, recycling, public education and funding for education and much more. The group is soon beginning a partnership with Fredericksburg SHINES to help promote community awareness of recycling issues.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Interested women are invited to contact Mrs. Collier by phone or email: tcollier212@austin. rr.com.

Boys and Girls Club of Fredericksburg

Biance Arias, Director 208 East Park Street, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-9833 info@bgcatxhc.org www.bgcatxhc.org •Mission Statement: To empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as responsible, caring and productive citizens.

•What Organization Does: Provides school and summer youth development programs.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: The Boys and Girls Club needs club volunteers — mentors or adults with special interests or skills who can spend time at the club during the hours of 3:30-6:30 p.m. on school days and any time between 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. during the summer.

The club offers homework/reading assistance every day after school. They have a garden that needs work and would like to field an art and music program for children.

▶ Continued on page 6

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The following is a list of volunteer-driven organizations who returned questionnaires for their organization. There are many more in Fredericksburg, and we invite organi-

Blue Monday Women’s Group Cathy Collier, Gillespie County Democratic Party

LOVE TO READ? ENJOY HELPING YOUNG CHILDREN? Come make a lasting difference in the life of a kindergartner by volunteering with the OTTER program. Read with them one-on-one, twice a week. You’ll be glad you did!

Contact Fredericksburg Primary School Today

830.997.7421

We Appreciate Our Many Volunteers Who Help Create Our Wonderful Community.

It Would Not Be Possible Without YOU! Mayor and City Council City Staff City of Fredericksburg

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CELEBRATE SERVICE

Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

— A salute to volunteers 5

Reading the news with sound Recording for the Handicapped keeps citizens informed

By Joshua McKinney

V

olunteers for the Hill Country Recording for the Handicapped (HCRH) might volunteer for different reasons, but they all have one common mission: bringing the news to those who can’t see.

This non-profit group, comprised of 12 volunteers, is dedicated to keeping the visually impaired in touch with the community by recording the news on tape and giving it to those who need it.

The group began in 1987 when a local man, who was born with sight but lost it, needed help keeping up with the news.

“The man who started this (Quinn Farabee) was blind and needed somebody to read to him,” said Valorie Dorer, the president of HCRH. “He was a friend of mine and that’s how it started. He said, ‘You need to do this for other people.’ Several people here needed help and he showed me how to help them.”

Dorer’s experience as a speech major and disc jockey at Abilene Christian University and McMurray University in Abilene drew her to helping with this project.

She is one of the group’s founding members.

The group records anything its clients need, like Bible studies, recipes or Sunday school lessons. But the priority is recording the news.

“It’s very important for those people to stay in contact with the community they live in,” said HCRH treasurer Paula Swenson. “They’re waiting every Thursday for that to come in the mail so they can hear what’s going on.”

How they record Volunteers for HCRH take turns recording the news from the Fredericksburg StandardRadio Post on tape.

The people who record the audio, which is recorded on a laptop that is passed to whomever is recording that month, receive the newspaper on Wednesday.

Duncan Holmes is the vice-president of Hill Country Recording for the Handicapped as well as one of its clients. Holmes uses playback equipment — donated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission — to listen to news, audio books and more on digital recording cartridges.

Peggy (left) and Ken Hartwein record the news with a laptop computer. The recording equipment is passed round each month to different volunteers, who record the month’s issues of the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post. — Standard Radio-Post photo The narrators read the paper front to back and pick articles from the paper that suit whoever might need the tapes.

Front-page news, editorials and obituaries generally get priority in the paper, and volunteers have permission to shorten the articles.

The recordings reach 16 clients, including three Fredericksburg nursing homes, and clients in San Antonio and Virginia. The recordings are imprinted on digital cartridges, which replaced tapes last September.

All of this comes free for clients, thanks to the volunteers’ services and The Texas Talking Book Program, a service of the Texas State Library and

Archives Commission that provides HCRH’s clients with equipment to listen to recordings.

“It’s all free matter for the blind,” Dorer said. “The service comes through the mail and is free for those who want it.”

“It doesn’t cost a lot because it’s all on a volunteer basis,” Swenson said. “The only costs are for supplies for the mailers and digital cartridges.”

Swenson said those costs are offset by local donations.

HCRH members get their satisfaction knowing they’re keeping Fredericksburg residents involved in the community.

“The reward is just knowing somebody’s getting help,” Dorer said. “They wouldn’t know

what’s going on in town otherwise. It’s just a fun thing to do and I enjoy doing it. It seems to help people.”

“As a psychotherapist, I’ve had clients who were visually impaired,” Swenson said. “Working with them became apparent to me. They have special needs, especially staying apart of this world.

“It’s one way I can continue to serve that population.”

Volunteer opportunities Hill Country Recording for the Handicapped is looking for more volunteers to help with weekly news narration.

For more information, call Dorer at 990-0744 or Peggy Hartwein at 997-0399.

The Fiesta of Fundraising, part of the Big Give S.A., supports 13 Gillespie County non-profit organizations.

The Boysʼ & Girlsʼ Club of Fredericksburg

Bethany Preschool

Hill Country Community Needs Council

HiIll Country SPCA

Christian Outdoor Allaince

MOM Center

Fredericksburg Dog Park Assoc.

Stonewall Head Start, Inc.

Fredericksburg Shines

Good Samairitan Center of Fredericksburg

Texas Center for Wine and Culinary Arts

Habitat for Humanity

The Texas Society for the Preservation of St. Josephʼs Halle

Join us this Cinco de Mayo in a Fiesta of FUNdraising for 13 Gillespie County nonprofit organizations who are participating in The Big Give SA, a day of online giving.

Beginning at midnight on Tuesday, May 5, donors can log onto www.thebiggivesa.org and contribute as little as $10 to any -- or all -- of these local nonprofit agencies.

The Big Give lasts only 24 hours so be sure you remember the date.

To add to the fun, representatives from all 13 of the participating area organizations will be at Betha Bethany Lutheran Churchʼs Fellowship Hall from 4 to 9 p.m. on May 5 to guide donors through the online process, accept donations in person, or just offer information and good cheer.

Will you also please help us spread the word to your like-minded friends?

Send an e-mail to 10 pals, text your BFF, “like” The Big Give SA on Facebook.

Then, on May 5, log on and watch the totals climb.

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CELEBRATE SERVICE

Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

— A salute to volunteers

Museum names Grinslade 2014 volunteer of the year The National Museum of the Pacific War has named Bob Grinslade its 2014 Volunteer of the Year.

Since 2011, Grinslade has volunteered his time at the museum.

“I started volunteering because I was enthralled with the history of the war,” Grinslade said. “I felt those coming in to visit the museum should have the best experience they could to understand this major time in the country’s history, with all the sacrifices made by all the soldiers and citizens to

win the conflict.”

Grinslade has worked in various departments: the Pacific Combat Zone, the oral history team, gallery attendant program, golf tournament and marketing department.

In 2014, he logged 456 hours for the museum.

“Bob has always been a great help,” said Brandon Vinyard, the museum’s director of marketing. “He is always in the hall, knocking on every office door, asking what he can do for anyone.

He always walks away with

something on his list.”

Stefanie Lebens, director of volunteers at the museum, said there were 253 volunteers in 2014.

“The volunteers are the reason we’re able to run the museum as smoothly as we do,” Lebens said. “Without them, we wouldn’t be able to put on programs. They help in the gallery with guests, they answer questions and are the face of the museum.”

For more information, call 997-8600 or visit the Joe Cavanaugh (left), director of the National Museum of the Pacific War, and Stefanie museum’s website at www.

Lebens (center), director of volunteers, present Bob Grinslade (right) with the museum’s pacificwarmuseum.org.

2014 Volunteer of the Year award. — Submitted photo

Volunteer Opportunities in Fredericksburg Continued from page 4

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: April and September. The Boys and Girls Club has two fundraisers each year — their annual golf tournament at Boot Ranch in April and their annual shopping tournament that takes place the second weekend of September.

—F— Fredericksburg Academic Boosters Byron Scarborough, President P.O. Box 1171, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 990-8967 fbgacademicboosters@gmail. com www.fbgacademicboosters.org •Mission Statement: To promote academic excellence in local schools while encouraging students to do their best in all academic endeavors, and to receive recognition and reward for academic accomplishments.

•What organization does: The group’s main focus is maintaining a mentoring program in partnership with FISD at FHS, FMS, FES and Stonewall. We have almost 100 student/adult volunteer pairs that meet weekly during the school year during the students’ lunch period. It is 30-60 minutes weekly and we have about 20 kids on the waiting list. A mentor is a friend, guide, encourager and coach, who supports the student to do well in school and make the most of skills that they possess.

The boosters also have a Blue Ribbon Billie program with the schools that rewards students for working hard in school.

Clear River coupons are given out quarterly and a computer/ printer setup are awarded at the end of the school year. At FMS, the boosters backed the Seven Habits of a Highly Effective Teen that is taught to all students.

•Type of volunteer: Adults from all areas are needed to meet weekly with students on all four campuses (30 minutes to an hour).

Special Projects: They also have a scholarship fund that awards scholarships to local students for college.

Other help needed such as in-kind donations: If people wanted to donate lunches for the annual mentor training in the fall, treats for students or thank you gifts for mentors, that would be appreciated. Two computer/printers are needed.

Fredericksburg Dog Park Association Jody Donovan, President P.O. Box 774, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 830-997-4763 jodydonovan06@hotmail.com www.fbgdogpark.org •Mission Statement: To educate members of the community about the responsibilities and benefits of dog ownership,

Willow City Painted School Curtain

especially the development of well-behaved, well-socialized dogs; To support a fenced in, off-leash dog park where wellbehaved canine citizens can exercise in a clean, safe environment without endangering each other, people, property or wildlife; To view this park as a community project, in partnership with the City of Fredericksburg, designed to satisfy the needs of dog-owners and nondog owners alike.

•What the Organization Does: The FDPA is currently working to raise funds to construct an offlead dog park on an approximately six-acre parcel adjacent to Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park granted for this use by the City of Fredericksburg. Once the park is operational, volunteers will work with city personnel to maintain and improve it. Volunteers will also serve as park monitors and mentors to other park users and will organize periodic special events for dog owners and their dogs.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Once the park is operational, volunteers will be needed to mentor other park users and to foster the dog park user community.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Dogvember Fest is a fundraising festival held the first weekend in November to raise construction funds for the park and to connect providers of canine services with dog owners in the community. A Doggie Olympics, currently in the concept stage, would provide athletic and fanciful competitions for dogs and their people. A Just Desserts fundraiser is in the planning stage, and periodic “Pup Crawls” will be scheduled to meet and greet dog owners and their well-behaved canines at dogfriendly restaurants in town.

Other help needed such as in-kind donations: Donation of construction materials, such as fencing or gates, and special features, such as benches or water fountains, will be acknowledged with permanent recognition signs and will reduce the cash cost of constructing the Fredericksburg Dog Park.

Fredericksburg Jaycees Sloan McBride or Becca Clark P.O. Box 694, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-998-5220 (McBride) 830-456-2698 (Clark) www.fbgjaycees.com •Mission Statement: To provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change.

•What The organization does: The Jaycees is a nonprofit organization of young active citizens that gives young professionals between the ages of 18 and 40 the tools they need to build

the bridges of success for themselves in the areas of business development, management skills, individual training, community service and international connections. Members contribute to the advancement of the global community by using that opportunity to develop their leadership skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship, and fellowship necessary to create positive change.

•Type of Volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Young active citizens looking to make a change in the community Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: We need volunteers especially for our Annual Turkey shoot and Santa Claus Parade. If you do wish to become a member, there are opportunities year round for special projects.

Other help needed: We accept in-kind donations to help the community, in turn.

Fredericksburg SHINES John Watson, Executive Director 830-992-3567 info@fbgshines.org www.fbgshines.org •Mission Statement: We are on a mission to help Fredericksburg and the surrounding area lead the state in sustainable (green living) practices.

•What Organization Does: We educate the public about and promote the adoption of sustainable practices in Fredericksburg and the surrounding area.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Members for the following committees: Zero Waste; Sustainability Green Home Tour; Clean Energy; Electric Vehicles; Creation Care; Smart Water Solutions and Sustainability Consulting for lowincome residents. Fundraising, marketing and publicity (including press releases), communication (including photography and videotaping), grant writing, administrative tasks and errands, advising in matters of sustainability, attending City Council and County Commissioner meetings, writing letters to the editor and writing guest editorials, researching sustainability issues, coordinating volunteers and serving on Board of Directors.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Docents for annual September Sustainability Green Home Tour and Annual April Conservation Expo with City of Fredericksburg. Staffing exhibits at events throughout the year.

Other help needed: In-kind donations needed, laser printer, desktop computer, computer monitor and supplies for office; tent for outdoor events; publicity; giveaway items for events and exhibits; graphic design; photography; videotaping;

social media; cash donations and corporate sponsorship to Sustainability Green Home Tour.

Fredericksburg Theater Company Steve Reily, President 1669 U.S. Highway 87 South, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 830-997-3588 steve@fredericksburgtheater.org www.fredericksburgtheater.org •Mission Statement: The mission of the Fredericksburg Theater Company is “to provide superior theatrical programs for regional participation which entertain, educate, enrich and inspire.”

•What Organization Does: We produce seven main stage musicals and eight special events throughout the season, as well as teach youth theater classes and preschool music classes.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Front of house (greeting and ushering) and bartenders. Back of house (stage crew, costume crew, lights and sound). Technical crew (set construction, scenic artwork, costume and construction). Publicity crew (box-office, ticketing and posters).

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Set construction, publicity, box office, house management, ushering. Also we need technical help during production such as backstage crew lights and sound. Scenic painters and costume construction, as well. This is ongoing throughout the year.

Other help needed: Printing, catering, tools, equipment, office supplies, lumber, hardware and paint.

Fredericksburg Volunteers in Police Support Jane Hinterlach, President Lt. Braxton Roemer, Liaison 1601 E. Main St., Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-7585 www.fbgtx.org (Under the Police Department link) •What Organization Does: The volunteers perform various functions throughout the year that support the Fredericksburg Police Department.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: The volunteers participate in our business identification program, pawn shop detail, house checks when residents go on vacation, Main Street patrol, staffing the substation, and much more.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: The volunteers assist with traffic control functions for parades, assist the public during Oktoberfest and other similar events. They also assist and support other programs in the community such as Toys for Tots and the SystemsGo rocket launch.

Thirteen Gillespie County non-profits are participating in an online charity event, the Big Give SA, similar to #GivingTuesday that followed Black Friday and Cyber Monday last year.

Part of a nationwide Give Local America effort, the Big Give SA includes Bexar and 11 other surrounding counties in a 24-hour day of online giving set for May 5. Last year the event raised $2 million and drew 467 nonprofits, according to Scott McAninch of the San Antonio Non Profit Council.

“We got a lot of calls from surrounding counties and this year we included 11 counties,” McAninch said. “This year we have 877 nonprofits participating. We did not expect that volume. In one year, the online charity event has grown 50 percent.”

The purpose of this event is to assist in bringing small, hometown causes to a national stage, to raise awareness and to find donors to help make beneficial changes in our community, according the organization’s website.

Here’s how it works: Starting at the stroke of midnight on Tuesday, May 5, donors log on to the website at http://thebiggivesa.org and find the nonprofit they want to help.

“Probably the easiest way to find an organization (on the website) is to go to the counties list (on the lower right side of the first page) and click on Gillespie County to see the lucky 13 nonprofits represented,” said Carol Seminara of The Good Samaritan Center, one of the participating Gillespie County nonprofits.

“Anyone anywhere in the world can make an online gift to any participating nonprofit organization. Do you like dogs, but live in Finland? You can still donate to Fredericksburg’s SPCA. It can and has happened,” she said.

The minimum donation is $10 and there are no limits on how many contributions a donor can make or on how many organizations they can fund.

Because the focus is online giving and not everyone is acquainted with and/or comfortable with donating over the Web, each of the participating Gillespie County nonprofits will have representatives at Bethany Lutheran Church’s Fellowship Hall from 4 to 9 p.m. on May 5.

These representatives will be there to help donors make an online donation, accept gifts by check or in cash, or just share more information about their organizations and who they serve.

“The hip term for this kind of online resource development is ‘crowd funding.’ It’s a way to support a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money for a large number of people, usually over the Internet,” said Seminara.

“And, since it will be Cinco de Mayo,” Seminara said, “the Bethany Fellowship Hall portion of the event is adopting the title Fiesta of FUNdraising, which, in Fredericksburg, usually implies treats.”

Along with The Good Samaritan Center, 12 other nonprofits will participate in The Big Give SA on May 5: • Bethany Preschool • Boys and Girls Club of Fredericksburg • Christian Outdoor Alliance (of Mason) • Fredericksburg Dog Park Association • Fredericksburg Shines • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fredericksburg • Hill Country Community Needs Council • Hill Country SPCA • MOM Center • Stonewall Head Start, Inc. • Texas Center for Wine and Culinary Arts • Texas Society for the Preservation of St. Joseph’s Halle.

▶ Continued on page 7

Fritztown Rebel Special Olympics Texas Team Thanks all our Volunteers!

Jordan Anderson, Lisa Becker (Coach), Gil Becker, Elaine Dockery (Head Coach), Liz Eberle, Barbara Esensee, Mark Esensee, JoAnn Leifeste Head of Delegation, Billy Leifeste Unified Golf Partner, Terri Mund (Coach), Beth Pyka (Coach), Gary Pyka, Charlie Ridley Unified Golf Partner, Isidro Ruiz, Mary Ellen Nieto, Kim Hiley, Noel Easterwood, Violet Usener, Felicia Anderson, Kiarra McCoy, Randy Ersch, Janna LaForey, Theresa Nieto, Billy Harris

Thanks all the Die Künstler von Fredericksburg Volunteers 31966.47

20 Years!

1995 - 2015

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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

CELEBRATE SERVICE

Volunteer Opportunities in Fredericksburg Friends of the Gillespie County Country Schools Dennis Robertson, Director 200 Big Sky Dr., Willow City Texas 78675 830-685-3673 Robertson@ctesc.net www.historicschools.org •Mission Statement: Preserving the past to enrich the future.

•What Organization Does: Membership of over 500 volunteers maintains and promotes use of 12 historic country Gillespie County schools, also promotes heritage tourism through events and tours. These schools serve as community centers as well as places of special learning.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Each school (preservation property) can only be maintained by active volunteer members — need members to assist in building repairs, painting, cleaning, acting as docents at events/tours, baking cookies and cakes, assisting in annual fundraisers — barbecue, bicycle tours (LBJ-100 and Grand Fondo), teaching handwriting and art classes for children and hosting 2016 National Convention Country Schools Association of America.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: In April, we need help with the annual barbecue fundraiser.

Help is also needed throughout the year for open-house events, bicycle tours, annual cleanup day, which includes weeding, cutting grass and small repairs, promotion of events and advertising projects.

Other help needed: Some schools need basic kitchen appliances to promote use and rentals, while others need plumbing and fixtures to modernize bathrooms. Schools need work done, such as sidewalk and parking lot paving to increase safety and use, wildflower planting, tree trimming, while stone schools need repainting, rebuilding new roof and constructing bicycle racks.

—G— Gillespie County Democratic Association Jerry Vaclav, President 830-992-0411 win@gillespiedemocrats.org www.gillespiedemocrats.org (find them on facebook at Gillespie County Democratic Association) •Mission Statement: Our mission is to: 1. To revive and stimulate interest in the Democratic Party at the grassroots level across Gillespie County in order to maximize the voter potential of Democrats. 2. To attract new members to the Democratic Party. 3. To be an organization through which Gillespie County Democrats are trained, informed and have the opportunity to be active. 4. To encourage and, when possible, train individuals to become qualified to seek positions in the County Democratic Party. 5. To encourage participation in all election precincts in Gillespie County. 6.

To recruit Democrats to work and make Gillespie County Democratic efforts as effective as possible.

•What the organization does: This organization will actively support, by appropriate means, the nominees of the Democratic Party in national, state and local elections; it shall endeavor to maintain permanent contact with voters throughout the area and shall function continuously in order that it may contribute to

the growth and influence of the Democratic Party. The association meets monthly (on the third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Gillespie County EMS Building).

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: People interested in politics, recycling, organic gardening, education, etc.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Volunteers needed to help with the Gillespie County Fair Parade and the July 4 Parade, summer and Christmas socials, voter registration efforts and rallies for candidates.

Other help needed such as inkind donations: Donations for the Fredericksburg Food Pantry and for the Little Free Libraries in the community.

Gillespie County Fair and Festivals Association (GCFFA) Henry Sagebiel, President 530 Fair Dr., P.O. Box 526, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-2359 info@gillespiefair.com www.gillespiefair.com •Mission Statement: The purpose of the GCFFA is to encourage, instruct and promote the education of the youth of Gillespie County, especially in the area of agriculture.

•What Organization Does: Hosts the Gillespie County Fair, live pari-mutuel racing and festivals.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Maintenance and upkeep of the fair grounds/ buildings.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Four weekends of racing, county fair, Night in Old Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg PBR. Other help needed: Any and all donations (monetary, in-kind, etc.) are greatly appreciated and tax deductible, service donations (plumbing, electrical, construction, supplies, etc.) are also very much appreciated.

Gillespie County 4-H Micah Walker, Director 95 Frederick Rd., Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-3452 Gillespie-tx@tamu.edu www.gillespie.agrilife.org •Mission Statement: To make the best better.

•What Organization Does: Youth organization that promotes leadership, citizenship and life skills through monthly club meetings and through a variety of educational opportunities.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Club managers, club meeting speakers, project leaders and coaches.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Fall projects — food and nutri-

tion, robotics and livestock validation and spring projects — clothing and textiles, BB gun, archery and photography.

Other help needed: New and gently used laptops for robotics. We will accept donations and other items throughout the year to help our youth to strive.

Please free to contact us.

Golden Hub Community Center Denise Usener, President 1009 North Lincoln Street, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-7131 denise@goldenhub.org www.goldenhub.org •Mission Statement: To provide opportunities to enhance the social, emotional, mental and physical lives of senior citizens in Gillespie County.

•What Organization Does: Provides Meals on Wheels and in-house dining to seniors and others in the community. Offers social and health-related activities in a friendly, welcoming environment.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Meals on Wheels drivers, activity leaders, tea bar servers, board members, committee members, outdoor garden helpers, lunch time helpers, newsletter and fundraising dinner help.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Fundraising dinners, park cleanup, Christmas open house, holiday parties, Christmas decorating and monthly dance helpers.

Other help needed: Summer produce donations, bread and bakery items, publicity and party sponsors, musical groups to perform during lunch, blood pressure screenings or other types of screenings and manicures.

The Good Samaritan Center (GSC) John D. Willome, Director 140 Industrial Loop, Ste. 100, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-990-8651 jwillome@goodsamfbg.org www.goodsamfbg.org •Mission Statement: The mission of The Good Samaritan Center is to provide a safe Christ-centered environment that gives patients quality, coordinated and affordable health care.

•What Organization Does: GSC is a charitable clinic meeting critical needs for our patients through community partnerships. We provide medical, dental and mental health services, as well as health and wellness information and education for those who have no health insurance and earn less than 200 percent of the national poverty level.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Help at the

front desk, data entry, nurse assistant, assistance in medication room and landscape volunteers.

At GSC, our volunteers, patients and donors are honored, cherished and respected.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Newsletter and mailing help (stuffing and labeling) approximately four times a year.

Other help needed: Overthe-counter medications and topical products (such as Neosporin), unopened, unexpired prescription medications; unopened bandages and unopened packages of incontinence products and supplies.

We also list specific needed items in our newsletter’s “Wish List” column and you can always call for more information.

GSC receives no federal or state monies and relies on our local Good Samaritans for 70 percent of our funding.

—H— Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fredericksburg Larry Berkman, President Kelly Musselman, Vice-President 102 East San Antonio St., Suite B, Box 5, Fredericksburg Texas 78624 830-990-8585 info@fbghabitat.org www.fbghabitat.org •Mission Statement: Habitat for Humanity, in partnership with God and with the support of a caring community, works to provide decent, affordable housing for people in need.

•What Organization Does: With volunteer labor and donated funds and grants, builds affordable homes for low income Gillespie County residents in need of decent, safe housing in our community. Homes are not given away. Prospective homeowners must meet strict criteria and pass background checks.

Homeowners then assume a 20year mortgage, with no interest and two percent down.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Volunteer carpenters and builders of all skill levels to work on homes during the year, especially during the month of February.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Fundraising and publicity events.

Other help needed: Donated building supplies as needed.

Contact volunteer building supervisor Wayne Murphy at 830-889-3291. Monetary donations needed and gratefully accepted at any time and can be sent to address listed above.

All donations are tax deductible.

Harper Independent School District’s Martha Stevens Volunteer Program

Thanks to our Dedicated Volunteers who make life better for our furry friends!

— A salute to volunteers

Jay Harper, Director P.O. Box 68, Harper Texas 78631 830-864-4044 jharper@harper.txed.net www.harperisd.org •What Organization Does: Helps students with reading, writing and math. They also help teachers with office work.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Volunteers to come in every week.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: PTO members, box top label counters and people to help with book fairs, walkathon and family reading nights, etc.

Other help needed: We are always seeking volunteers throughout the school year.

Harper Library Tomi Pugh, Director 23247 U.S. Highway 290 West, Harper Texas 78631 830-864-4993 harperlibrary406@aol.com www.harpertxlibrary.org •Mission Statement: To provide a free full-service library to our Harper area residents.

•What Organization Does: Fullservice library for Western Gillespie County, North Kerr and Eastern Kimble. Also, maintain a resale shop for shopping for clothes, collectibles, books, etc.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Library help — to staff at circulation desk for set shifts throughout the week.

Will train. Resale help — sort/ price donated items, wait on customers in shop, possible cashier work. Will train.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Fundraising for spring event “Saturday in the Park,” maintaining landscape and selling in outdoor resale shop.

Other help needed: We are always seeking volunteers throughout the school year.

Hill Country Community Needs Council Cindy Heifner, Director 1904 N. Llano St., Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-9756 info@needscouncil.org www.needscouncil.org •Mission Statement: The Hill Country Community Needs Council provides short term assistance to the county’s most vulnerable by judicious and compassionate distribution of gifts and volunteer talents through

coordination of local resources and direct service programs.

•What Organization Does: We help our neighbors in need through various programs, including domestic violence counseling, rent and utility assistance, children and senior services, budget education and special programs such as school supplies, Christmas programs and Food 4-Kids.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Medical transportation drivers, office help — answering phones, fundraising, etc., drivers who can take domestic violence clients to women’s shelter in emergencies, people who can visit homebound seniors in the Help-a-Senior program and volunteers who can help with the collection and distribution of weekend food bags through schools in the Food-4-Kids program.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: For school supply collection and distribution for 500-600 students, for adopting a family or senior during Christmas and for yardwork and building and repairing clients’ homes and handicap ramps.

Other help needed such as inkind donations: Nutritious snacks for Food-4-Kids, fans for summer, heaters, coats and blankets for winter and emergency supplies of diapers and toiletries all year round.

—L— Little Lambs Early Learning Center of Center for New Communities Janna Olivares, Director 415 W. Austin St., Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-992-3691 jolivares@c4newcommunities. org www.c4newcommunities.org •Mission Statement: Transform lives and neighborhoods by providing opportunities for children and families to reach their greatest potential. We are an Early Head Start organization.

•What Organization Does: Partnering with Zion Lutheran Church, we provide six weekthree-year-olds with ageappropriate school readiness, engagement and education, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.2:30 p.m.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: We have an ▶ Continued on page 9

Remarkable Health Care

VOLUNTEERS MAKE IT HAPPEN THANK YOU! Volunteers’ gifts of time and talent are essential in making HCM one of the top 100 hospitals in the nation. Thank you to our volunteers who help make this happen.

H OSPI TAL

“Saving Lives Through Spay/Neuter” 830-990-1018 www.fbgpaws.org

T H RI F T SH OP

H OSPI CE 32218.47

H CM H F OU N DAT I ON BOARD OF DI RECT ORS

Fredericksburg Dog Park

H OSPI TAL BOARD OF T RU ST EES

Association

for their dedication and service to our community

April is National Volunteer Month, and we wag our tails to our recent volunteers!

Vice President:

Kenneth & Margie Priess

Judy Unger

Secretary:

Sharon Ogletree

Board Member:

Annette Bennet

Board Member:

Caroline Eidson

OV ER 250 U N I QU E V OL U N T EERS

Volunteers Abel Leal

KENNETH PRIESS CONSTRUCTION

VelAnne Clifton

Toni Marshall

• Land Clearing • Dams • Granite Gravel • Low Water Crossings • Roads • Stock Tanks • Excavation • Site Work Preparation

Sheila Donovan

Reasonable Prices for Quality Work

250

Jody Donovan

Aaron Beeman

830-997-8110 Home 830-998-0151 Cell ~ 830-998-0040 Cell

F RI EN DS OF T H E H OSPI TAL GAL A X V I ST EERI N G COM M I T T EE

Board of Directors President:

Nathan Dodds

Donnie Schuch

Sadie Eidson

Carol Seminara

Kay Hoover

(830) 997-1307 or (830) 997-1335

Regina Rosenwinke

Todd Eidson Cecily Gallagher

FLEXIBLE HOURS & SCHEDULE

For more information, please call

Graham Pearson

hillcountrymemorial.org/volunteer

Jamie Sparks KK Welch

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Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

8 CELEBRATE SERVICE — A salute to volunteers

Giving back Good Samaritan treats volunteers, patients first class building for its permanent home. mong the many Now, Collier works at the places available center’s medication room, for volunteeralso known as the “med ing is one that room.” The center has a serves those without health Medication Assistance Proinsurance. gram, and for people who The Good Samaritan can’t afford medications, Center, located at 140 Indrug companies will donate dustrial Loop, Suite 100, is them. a volunteer-based organizaCollier, in her third year at tion. There are 10 paid staff the clinic, volunteers one afmembers and approximate- ternoon per week and is one ly 90 volunteers who help of several volunteers who every month. will process the medications “One of the neat things by entering the records, callabout The Good Samaritan ing the people and telling Center is that it’s very volun- them when their prescripteer dependent,” said John tions are ready.

Willome, the center’s executive director. “They work at The center has a three-fold our front desk, help patients vision of “blessings”: in the medical clinic and • Patients: Bless patients help do back office work. by consistently going the exWhat ends up happening is tra mile for them; we supplement some of the • Volunteers: Bless volunprofessional skills with paid teers with the opportunity staff, but most of the jobs to participate in the healing are done by volunteers.” of their neighbors; Willome recalled that the • Donors: Bless donors for center was all-volunteer their decision to partner in when it began — including the center’s mission. doctors and nurses. Then, When it began in 1992, The they became an established Good Samaritan Center was medical home that patients open one day a week. Now, would visit regularly. it’s open Monday through “That’s when we started Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 having a consistent paid p.m. and Thursday from 9 medical staff that would a.m. to 6:30 p.m. They are help see patients,” he said. closed for lunch from 11:30 “We still used volunteers to a.m. to 12:30 p.m. help support the medical Thirty percent of the nonstaff.” profit center’s budget is A charitable medical and covered by patient fees and dental clinic, The Good rental income from space Samaritan Center serves in its building. The other uninsured families who live below 200 percent of the federal poverty level.

The dental clinic serves Gillespie County residents.

The medical clinic serves residents of Gillespie, Blanco, Kimble and Mason counties and also the cities of Comfort and Brady.

By Richard Zowie

A

One of those volunteers is retired teacher and newspaper editor Cathy Collier, who wanted to stay busy.

Collier worked with Sara Allerkamp, Good Samaritan’s founder, on fundraising brochures in the center’s early years when the organization sought a

70 percent comes from private donations. The center, which does not accept state or federal funding, relies on donations from area churches, clubs, foundations and businesses.

“I’ve always admired the way they went about the business,” Collier said. “The Good Samaritan Center really makes volunteers feel valued and it doesn’t matter whether you work in the medication room, work with clients who come for appointments or help to Ken Miles and his wife, Becky, volunteer their time working the front desk at The landscape and maintain the Good Samaritan Center. Included among their tasks are checking patients in and grounds outside.” out. — Standard-Radio Post/Richard Zowie Collier describes what they do as a team effort, adding that they don’t take VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT GOOD SAMARITAN CENTER their volunteers for granted Front desk: No medical experience required; and they try to keep the job Medical Clinic: Nurse Assistant: Previous medical experience required. Help fun and interesting.

Although The Good Sanurse manage patient flow and assist doctor as needed; maritan Center serves the Medication Room: Medical experience preferred, but good attention to deunderprivileged, Collier said tail required; it doesn’t feel like a “free Office: No medical experience required. Computer ability a plus; clinic.”

Landscaping: No medical experience required. Volunteers can join the “The people who talk to you, regardless of your level, team that shares the responsibility of maintaining the grounds. are kind, professional and caring,” she said. “They do their best to make sure clients get the best medical care they can get.”

For more information, along with finding out how to donate or volunteer, call 830-990-8651 or go online to www.goodsamfbg.org.

Cathy Collier is the former editor of the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post.

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A BIG THANK YOU to our Volunteers!

www.historicschools.org Thanks Volunteers!

For their hardwork, dedication, and donating their time and labor.

You’re the Greatest!

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We’ve got a name that rings a bell!

Your hometown Salvation Army Service Unit is looking for volunteers to help us ring in the Christmas season. Literally. The money collected during our Kettle Drive benefits the community in which it was donated 100%. We only ring bells on Friday afternoons and Saturdays, beginning Nov. 20 through Dec. 19. Shifts are short, rewards are huge, plus it’s fun!

Cathy Collier.........997-4837 Jerry Vaclav..........992-0411

The Fredericksburg Service Unit also sends Middle School kids to camp each summer, helps our neighbors in need, and provides assistance to stranded travelers.

To learn more about the Fredericksburg Service Unit of the Salvation Army or to join our merry band, please contact our local director at fbgserviceunit@gmail.com, or drop a note to: Carol, FBG Service Unit, P.O. Box 2894, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.

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Gillespie County Democratic Club President Gillespie County Democratic Association * Little Free Libraries * Voter registration efforts * Meets 3rd Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. Gillespie EMS

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Gillespie County Democratic Chairman

Blue Monday Progressive Women’s Group * Promoting recycling efforts in the county * Support for Equal Pay/Equal Work * Email tcollier212@austin.rr.com for meeting dates

CELEBRATE SERVICE

Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

— A salute to volunteers

9

Volunteer Opportunities in Fredericksburg Continued from page 7

infant room and toddler room filled with loveable children. We need people who are willing to read to them and get on the floor and play with them. We are looking for people are 14 years and older. They will have a background check and FBI fingerprinting done once they fill out the application.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Each year we have a Zion-sponsored Easter egg hunt, events to celebrate mothers and fathers on their respective days, a fall festival and a winter holiday celebration. We call these events socials. We look for people to help set up, create decorations, run booths and, of course, clean up.

Other help needed: We would like people in the community to come share their talents — singing, music, drawing, building/constructing things, etc. We also love to invite community workers to share their job with our children. We love handson demonstrations from the doctors, dentists or mechanics — anyone. We are always in need of toothbrushes, fluoride-free toothpaste, wet wipes, diapers (2-6 size), paper plates and art materials.

•What Organization Does: We pair a caring adult from the community with a kindergartner to read for 20 minutes twice per week.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Someone who can read to a student one-onone for 20 minutes per session, two days per week for 10 weeks in the fall semester and 14 weeks in the spring.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Daily reading for 10 weeks in the fall and 12 weeks in the spring.

Other help needed such as in-kind donations: Picture books (new or gently used) and monetary donations.

—O—

•Mission Statement: To end animal cruelty through aggressive spay/neuter services, coupled with an educational program on responsible pet ownership.

•What Organization Does: PAWS provides no or low cost spay/neuter services, rabies vaccination to every dog/cat in Gillespie County. PAWS also manages a trap/neuter/return program for community cats.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: For telephone appointments, garage sale help, website and social media management and updating, grant writing, newspaper article writing and program presentation on PAWS mission to community groups.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: We are an all-volunteer organization, so we can use help as stated above, anytime.

Other help needed such as in-kind donations: Cat food for community cat program and office supplies. Donations of items we can sell at our garage sales.

Optimist Club of Fredericksburg Joe Kammlah, President P.O. Box 726, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-7421 jkammlah@austin.rr.com www.hillcountryrun.com/about.html •Mission Statement: A voluntary organization of civic-minded men and women banded together to serve the community, to encourage personal development, and to adopt optimism as a philosophy of life. The majority of our programs are focused on the youth of the community. Our motto is “Friend of Youth.”

•What Organization Does: Dedicated men and women volunteers who help children achieve their dreams and provide opportunities across the community to have fun doing it.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Volunteers who can help with annual essay and oratorical contests, leadership training, coaching Little League baseball, football and golf teams and teaching bicycle safety, Boys and Girls Club, 4-H and law program.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Help is needed with the annual Hill Country Run motorcycle rally in May and leadership training for older children.

Other help needed: Funding for the Frantzen Park project to provide playground equipment and for the scholarship programs supported by the organization.

—P— Pedernales Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Bonnie Smith, Director P.O. Box 2794, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-990-1018 bowwowmeow@austin.rr.com www.fbgpaws.org

—S—

St. John Lutheran Community Association of Crabapple Jerry Itz, President 1343 Itz-Kast Rd., Fredericksburg Texas 78624

•Mission Statement: Dreams of our ancestors were built with God’s gifts and stand firm in the faith of many.

•What Organization Does: Since worship services were discontinued in 1962, the association was Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) organized in 1963 to continue to care for the Emma Carrasco, Director property and host an annual worship service and P.O. Box 45001, Lubbock, Texas 79409-5001 celebration for all descendants of original settlers 806-742-6554 and current area neighbors. olli.hillcountry@ttu.edu •Type of volunteer help needed on a regular www.olli.ttu.edu basis: Volunteers needed for simple caretaker chores, including mowing grass, picking up litter •Mission Statement: The mission of the OLLI at at the picnic tables and barbecue pits and showTexas Tech University is to provide enjoyable and ing church to prospective renters and families stimulating non-credit learning and cultural opinterested in using it for weddings, etc. portunities for its members.

Special projects during the year when volun•What Organization Does: OLLI offers non-credit teers are needed: Fourth Saturday and Sunday classes and events designed for all adults ages in September volunteers are needed to prepare 50-plus. OLLI began as a continuing education grounds and buildings for annual homecoming program at TTU in 2002 and expanded into the TTU worship service and luncheon. locations of Fredericksburg, Junction and Marble Other help needed: We always need assistance Falls in January 2015. We are self-sustaining, supwith repair and maintenance projects on the ported through membership dues, class fees and church, Sunday school building and cemetery, endowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation, including woodwork repairs and roof and fence donations and in-kind support from Texas Tech work.

University and the Texas Tech Alumni Association.

Quality learning with no grades, no papers and Special Olympics Texas Team-Fritztown Rebels no tests — just intellectual stimulation.

JoAnn Leifeste, Head of Delegations Special Projects during the year when volunteers 101 W. Mulberry St., Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 are needed: Clerical duties beginning September 830-997-1509 2015 and February 2016. leifeste@yahoo.com Other help needed such as in-kind donations: Inkind donations are solicited. Contact OLLI at the •Mission Statement: To provide year-round sports number for specifics. training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for children and adults with Our Time to Enjoy Reading (OTTER) intellectual disabilities. Giving them opportunities Meghan Schneider, Director to develop physical fitness, demonstrate cour1110 South Adams Street, Fredericksburg, Texas age, experience joy and participate in a sharing 78624 of gift, skill and friendship with their families, other 830-997-7421 special Olympics athletes and the community. meghans@fisd.org •What Organization Does: To improve the qualwww.fisd.org ity of life for our athletes. The challenges of the future are embraced with enthusiasm and com•Mission Statement: Foster an appreciation and mitment, ensuring that the changing face and joy for reading through meaningful one-on-one needs of our athletes are met. Athletes have relationships. training to give speeches. They are called global

messengers. We have two — Carrie Pyka and Billy Harris. Our team sports are athletics, track and field, bocce, bowling, cycling and golf.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: People to set an example for the athlete, demonstrate good sportsmanship, be continually vigilant and cognizant of the safety of the athlete, be loyal and fulfill the Special Olympics commitment and responsibility and take advantage of the opportunities Special Olympics offers.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: May 9-10 for Hye Market Days fundraiser — donations of sausage and tortillas for sausage wraps and Jimmy Kingsley Memorial bowling meet.

Other help needed such as in-kind donations: Medals for bowling meet, bottled water for practice and donations for equipment, uniforms, traveling expenses. For instance, Billy Harris won a bronze medal at nationals in 2010 and he also attended the world games in 2011, where he won a silver medal in golf and donations helped with the travel expenses.

—T— Texas Society for the Preservation of St. Joseph’s Halle (TSPSJH) Bob Sagebiel, Co-Chair, Dian Stai, Honorary Chair 150 East Main Street, Suite 204, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 bsagebiel@austin.rr.com 830-990-8038 •Mission Statement: To be a place for activities that enhance community life, expand the influence of our faith, uphold our German heritage and culture, elevate the arts, and celebrate special events. The Texas Society for the Preservation of St. Joseph’s Halle was organized to renovate and restore St. Joseph’s Halle in Fredericksburg.

This 115-year-old building is one of the last historic and limestone gems in Fredericksburg yet to be restored. Completed in 1900, the building is owned by the St. Joseph’s Society (not the Catholic diocese). It has not only served the men of St. Joseph’s Society and St. Mary’s Parish and School, but the entire community. Many nonprofit organizations use St. Joseph’s Halle as a meeting place and it is home to such performing venues as the Van Der Stucken Music Festival, two German choirs: The Arion Men’s Choir (established 1909) and Hermann Sons Mixed Choir (established 1934). The Halle was the first home to Fredericksburg Theater Company and was also used as the first community gymnasium.

This $3 million capital campaign will restore the building, expand the meeting space and kitchen facilities, generate a lobby to include modern and spacious restrooms, upgrade the mechanicals and back stage area, create a more useable facility for the community, while preserving its near perfect acoustics. To date, $1.4 million has been raised or pledged for this project.

•What does the organization do? TSPSJH was created as a 501(c)3 to raise the funds and to restore and renovate the Halle.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: None at this time.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Many non-profits regularly host events at the Halle and need volunteers for their respective programs.

Other help needed such as in kind donations: Additional donations are needed for timely completion of the capital campaign.

Transform Jenell Potucek, Director EFree Church 107 East Lower Crabapple Road, Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 830-997-3968 childrens.efree@icloud.com www.hcefree.org •Mission Statement: Fostering academic and spiritual growth by mentoring youth for community transformation.

•What Organization Does: Transform is a free mentoring program committed to establishing long-term mentoring relationships to help children succeed in school and life.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Mentors to assist students with homework and additional volunteers to lead recreation time and/or life skill building opportunities.

Special projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Transform follows FISD school calen-

dar and operates Monday through Thursday from 3:30-6 p.m.

Other help needed: Due to limited space and intentional educational methods, in-kind gifts or donations are welcome, with pre-approval.

—W— Willow City Community Club Fred Grote, President 2501 Ranch Road 1323, Willow City, Texas 78675 830-685-3385 •Mission Statement: Provide a place for unity in the community and for all people to have a place to gather for meetings, classes, socials and celebrations.

•What does the organization do? Helps keep and maintain the Willow City school house building and property and make it available for community functions.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Volunteers needed for upkeep, cleaning and landscape maintenance.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: Docents needed for the open house and bus tours. Volunteers needed for painting buildings, building and repairing furniture, playground equipment and restoring miscellaneous items.

Other help needed such as in kind donations: Help needed toward repointing of rock walls, installing rainwater collection system and building a pavilion/storage area, cabinets for storage and kitchen sink, lockable bookcases and folding chairs storage rack.

Willow City Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc. Janet Rabke, President 2553 Ranch Road 1323, Willow City, TX 78675 830-685-3376 wcvfr@ctesc.net •Mission Statement: To unselfishly and cheerfully render emergency services to the community and surrounding areas in the prevention of extinguishing of fires and for the protection of life and property as the community and surrounding areas may need.

•What does the organization do? Assists with fundraising activities and brings food, drinking water and rehab to firefighters, when fighting fires.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: People to help prepare food, bring drinking water and rehab to firefighters, when fighting fires and handle radio communication on fire calls and other needs of the department.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: In May, help is needed for the annual quilt auction benefit and fundraiser. To help raise money people are needed to sell “Recipes and Remembrances” cookbooks and “That’s My Kitchen” bakeware.

Other help needed such as in kind donations: Monetary funding for rehab and office supplies and bottled water.

Willow City Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary Margie Hohmann, President 2553 Ranch Road 1323, Willow City, Texas 78675 830-685-3376 wcvfr@ctesc.net •Mission Statement: To promote interest and welfare of the Willow City Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc. and to function as a support system to assist them.

•Type of volunteer help needed on a regular basis: Firefighters and medical first responders — individuals should live within the area and be willing to continue training education, usually weekly on Thursday evenings.

Special Projects during the year when volunteers are needed: On the first Saturday in May, volunteers are needed for the annual benefit (barbecue meal, auction, country store and prize drawing). Weeknights before the fundraiser, help is needed with sorting and labeling prizes and auction items, providing evening meals, cleaning trucks and station and bringing benefit meal desserts.

Other help needed such as in kind donations: Help needed with rehab supplies, including water, Gatorade, Powerade, snack crackers, granola/cereal bars and candy bars and office supplies, ie. paper, envelopes, postage stamps.

Monetary donations are needed for maintaining and improving the fire station trucks and equipment and for training and operating expenses.

We Live Here.

We Work Here.

We VOLUNTEER! The employees of the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post are committed to our community.

We not only cover news and events throughout the year, but we volunteer at local charitable fundraisers.

Proudly serving our community!

Employees donate their time, treasures and talents to the following: • Gillespie County Fair Association • Fredericksburg Rotary Club • Relay For Life • Fredericksburg Theater Company • Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce

• Doss community organizations • Hill Country Film Festival • FISD Mentoring • Fredericksburg Optimist Club • Plus local churches and other organizations.

Fredericksburg Standard Radio-Post

10 CELEBRATE SERVICE — A salute to volunteers

Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post

Age doesn’t matter for Meals on Wheels

By Yvonne Hartmann

W

hen it comes to the Meals on Wheels program, age is just a number.

That’s true for those who receive the hot, nutritious meals five days a week and for those who deliver those meals.

“Meals on Wheels is for anyone of any age,” said Stephanie Borda, coordinator of the program provided by the Golden Hub Community Center. “A lot of people think you have to be 60 or above to qualify, but it is for anyone who needs help.”

She added that clients can take advantage of the program on a short-term or long-term basis, and that participation is by donation, Clients are not turned away because they are unable to make a contribution.

Currently, the Meals on Wheels program distributes approximately 100-120 meals five days a week, Monday through Friday.

In addition, meals are delivered to Harper on Mon-

days and include one hot meal and four frozen meals.

Individuals can also arrange to get frozen meals for weekends or even a second meal for each day.

But the program wouldn’t be possible without the volunteer drivers.

Volunteer drivers Meals On Wheels are delivered by volunteer drivers who have ranged in age from college students to senior citizens.

“We can always use drivers, especially in the summer,” Borda said, when people go on vacation and the ‘winter Texans’ return home.

Some drivers will volunteer one day a week, while others volunteer more frequently. Others choose to volunteer as substitutes.

Drivers of any age are welcome.

To get started, individuals fill out a packet of information and then take part in a short training session led

by Borda. The only requirement is that the driver have

Driver Marvin (Nick) Bennack waits while wife Marge delivers a meal to a client on their regular Thursday Meals on Wheels delivery route. The two have been volunteering with the Golden Hub Community Center’s program for 19 years.

his own vehicle.

Borda noted that they conducted a background check on potential drivers and that drivers are required to provide proof of insurance.

For more information on volunteering, contact Borda at the Golden Hub at 9977131 or stop by the center at 1009 North Lincoln.

Persons interested in receiving the meals are also asked to contact the Golden Hub. A typical route When the clock at the Golden Hub strikes 10:30 a.m., the volunteer drivers get busy.

That’s when the meals are ready and the volunteers and can begin loading up their ice chests filled with milk, desserts, salads, etc. as well as the hot packs containing the meals so they can get started on their routes.

Among the regular drivers on Thursdays is the husband-and-wife team of Marvin (Nick) and Marge Bennack, who began delivering meals 19 years ago after moving here from Raymondville.

“We started volunteering right away,” Marge said. “We jumped in and haven’t been sorry.”

Like many of the drivers, they work as a team — he does the driving and she delivers the meals to the door.

Taking off from the Golden Hub, Marge explains that today they would be delivering nine meals.

“We have the longest route, but not as many people on it,” she said, explaining that their particular route covers 38 miles.

“This is the route we have had since the beginning,” Marge said.

Before the first meal has

Marge and Marvin (Nick) Bennack take a few moments to visit with Carl Doubrava and his dog, Roxanne, while delivering Meals on Wheels. Volunteer drivers deliver approximately 100-120 meals each day. — Standard-Radio Post photo even been delivered, Marge said, “We enjoy doing this.

It is so vital to these people to get the meal because they are homebound or have health problems that prevent them from preparing meals for themselves.”

At each home, they both get out to gather the meal(s) and condiments for that particular stop. While Nick waits behind the wheel or turns the pickup around, Marge goes up to the door to deliver the day’s food.

The drivers are also sure to ask how that particular individual is doing that day.

Some people have special dietary needs and requests such as no milk or diabetic desserts, and each driver is supplied with all of that information and more on a set of cards.

Along the way, the Bennacks shared stories and bits of information about

VOLUNTEERING • Meals on Wheels • Tea bar during lunch • Serving • Kitchen — must have food handler’s accreditation For more information on volunteering, contact the Golden Hub at 9977131.

current and former clients, such as meeting up with an old dental school classmate of Nick’s, whose pets are friendly and whose are not, driving hazards and more.

Marge also explained that she knows first-hand how important Meals on Wheels is to people. When she was sick, she and Nick had meals delivered to them. “It was such a convenience,” she said.

“Anybody can get the meals,” she said. “Don’t be too proud to ask.”

Why volunteer Volunteering for programs such as Meals on Wheels is a way to help others.

And for someone interested in volunteering, Marge said, “I think by all means, they should do it.”

“The people are so happy to get the meals and so in need of somebody helping them,” she said. “I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying doing it, I just can’t imagine it.”

As is often the case, Marge said that when drivers first start out, they may be a little reluctant. “Then, when they begin, they are so glad.

There is such a good feeling to having done it,” “I can’t imagine anyone saying ‘no’ or ‘I wouldn’t be interested,’” she said.

The Directors of the Gillespie County Fair & Festivals would like to express our deep appreciation to all the wonderful people, who have donated countless hours volunteering at our events.

It is only with your support that we can continue to promote the education of the youth of Gillespie County.

Gillespie County Fair & Festivals Association • Highway 16 South • 830.997.2359 • www.gillespiefair.com

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