always had it in my head to volunteer” – Cindy Buist

By Jim Coppinger, Milestone Senior Services Volunteer

Cindy Buist (by-st) grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and came to Grand Rapids for work and soon met her future husband. She learned of a position at Pine Rest, a Christian mental health service organization founded in 1910, and was hired as a nurse’s aid and then became a children’s activity leader..

She decided to resume college at Western Michigan University and earned a degree in computer science. Cindy says computers were coming into conventional use and the growing technology industry was an exciting field to enter.

With her technology skills, Cindy joined Kalamazoo Christian Schools as Accounts Manager where she worked twenty-five years before retiring.

After she retired, Cindy traveled and acclimated to her new lifestyle. However, as Cindy says, it was always in her head to volunteer once she retired – that is exactly what she did.

Cindy visited a website called Volunteer Kalamazoo.org and scrolled through listings of hundreds of various positions local organizations needed to fill. She stopped on Lending Hands and has been a volunteer there two mornings a week for the past ten years. Lending Hands loans medical equipment at no charge for clients who have recently undergone surgery (hip, knee, etc.) or otherwise need support equipment for a short period of time while they recover at home. During the COVID pandemic, Lending Hands shut down to protect clients and volunteers but is now back in full operation and is in need of volunteers. https://lendinghandsmi.org/vounteer

Before it ceased operation, Cindy also volunteered at Centrica Day Services—an adult daycare operation where she helped prepare, serve, and clear lunch service for daycare participants.

Cindy enjoys reading, doing crossword puzzles, cooking, and baking. But her highest priority is spending time with her six children and their families, some of whom live in other states (and Canada)—providing Cindy ample opportunity for travel.

Cindy derives endless satisfaction from being a volunteer and working with fellow volunteers (many of whom have become friends). It is filled with enjoyment and genuine appreciation—it isn’t work.

Cindy encourages everyone to follow her and all the generous people serving our community, to give even a small portion of time to help others. We all have talents and abilities that would be a perfect fit for volunteer opportunities. It is truly a blessing to share.

Milestone Senior Services (previously known as Senior Services of Southwest Michigan) is an AmeriCorps Seniors grantee. AmeriCorps Seniors empowers people age 55 and older to serve their communities. RSVP helps people find a volunteer opportunity that fits their passion. There are currently opportunities in Kalamazoo County and a few in Calhoun County. Volunteers are needed with Meals on Wheels, Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, Telephone Reassurance for Seniors, Milestone Home Repair, and more. Regular, flexible schedules available. Contact RSVP at 269-3820515 or apply to volunteer at www.milestoneseniorservices.org.