Brendia McGee – October 2019 Volunteer

When did you become a volunteer for FIA, and what volunteer positions have you chosen to do? I became an FIA volunteer in August of 2017.  I am mainly a driver but have also done some shopping for the care receivers and newsletter folding for the FIA office.

What brought you to FIA? I was serving as a volunteer at the ARC when I found out about FIA.

Who referred you?  One of the front desk workers at the ARC provided me with preliminary information about FIA.

What got you to contact us? I was intrigued by the services FIA provides to the senior population in this town and wanted to know how I too could help!

Had you been looking for an opportunity to volunteer? I’ve always wanted to do some volunteer work but was mainly entrenched in working a full-time job that was very demanding and often required overtime hours, which made volunteering wholeheartedly a little more difficult. However, after retiring 5 years ago and relocating to this area, I felt like it would be the perfect time to explore volunteer opportunities.

Any “Words of Wisdom” for us?  The words of wisdom I’d like to share is a quote by John Wesley, an English cleric and theologian: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”

Have you lived in the area long? Other places you have lived? I’ve lived in Bloomington/Normal for 5 years. I was born in Belzoni, MS, but grew up in the Chicagoland area. Prior to moving to Normal, I lived in Westmont, IL — a suburb of Chicago.

Where did you go to school?  I attended George Westinghouse Vocational High School, Harold Washington College and completed some collegiate coursework at the University of Illinois – Chicago.

Jobs/ Careers? Before retiring 5 years ago, I worked for the Illinois Department of Human Service for 35 years. I’ve held clerical and caseworker positions there and the last 15 years I supervised caseworkers.

Hobbies/ Past times/ Passions? My favorite hobbies/pastimes include knitting, crocheting, baking cookies and watching TV.  My passion is helping others, mainly senior citizens. The volunteer work I’m doing with FIA is right in alignment with my core values.

Family/ Pets?  I have 11 siblings and a host of nieces and nephews who live in various locations within the United States. I also have one daughter and one granddaughter who live in Normal, IL — they are the reason I relocated to this area. No pets.

Anything else you’d like to share? Yes, I would like to share my favorite bible verse:  “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8.  To know that God loves us so much that He would die for us before we even chose Him means everything to me.

Anything unique or unusual about yourself you would like to share? I’ve been told that I make the best homemade butter cookies…ever!