Carolyn W. March 2021 Volunteer Spotlight

What brought you to FIA?

I heard through the PATH newsletter about  Faith in Action when it was creating a new part-time position for a Volunteer Coordinator.  My family had just moved from Livingston County where I served with the Red Cross for nine years.  I was searching for new opportunities in the B-N area.   FIA sounded like a perfect fit. I was hired as the first Volunteer Coordinator in early 2012.   I remained in the position for over three years until it was time to transition to full time work in anticipation of our son heading to college.      

When did you become a volunteer?

After a very satisfying experience working with volunteers and meeting lots of wonderful people, it was natural that I remain connected with Faith in Action as a volunteer after I left the staff.   In April, 2015 I started driving people to medical appointments, the grocery store and even driving one person to Faith in Action so she could serve at the transportation desk as a volunteer.   In more recent years, I have become a congregational liaison between Faith in Action and my church, First Baptist Church of Bloomington, serving in that role along with Virginia Jordan-Benson.

Do you Have a Favorite FIA Story? 

When my father was slipping into dementia at Martin Health Center, he required more and more of my time.  I thought I didn’t have  time for volunteering with Faith in Action.   However, it turned out that a lady needed rides to visit her husband who was also suffering from dementia at Martin Health Center.   I drove her to see her husband when I was going to visit my own father.   We ate lunch there with our loved ones and visited for a time and then I drove her home.   We spontaneously formed our own unofficial  two-person support group as we shared the ups and downs of having a loved one with dementia in a  nursing home.   It can be a lonely journey watching a loved one slip away.  I believe it was a God thing that we had each other to share that journey.

Where is your hometown?   Other places you have lived?

I grew up in Springfield, IL, but attended college at Drury University in Springfield, MO.  A couple of years after college, I moved to Ohio where I lived for 12 years before moving to Fairbury in 1995.   I also spent a year studying at a theological seminary in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook.  

Are you working or retired?   What jobs have you held?   

After studying gerontology in graduate school, I became a licensed long term care administrator.   Most of my service as a long term care administrator was with church-affiliated facilities in Ohio and included all levels of care from independent living through skilled nursing care.  I also served as administrator at the former Helen Lewis Smith Pavilion, a long term care facility in Fairbury.  I retired  at the end of 2019 as a long term care ombudsman with the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging.  I enjoyed community-based services for older adults as well as senior housing and health care.

Hobbies/Pastimes/Passions?

I am a violinist and enjoy playing at my church and occasionally other places.   I joined the local Sostenuto orchestra shortly before the pandemic hit when it had to stop rehearsing.  I look forward to making music again with that orchestra once the pandemic ends.   I play piano for my own enjoyment, and occasionally I play hymns for a worship service at a long term care facility.   I volunteer through my Sunday School class at the Salvation Army’s Safe Harbor.  I also serve on my church’s board and chair one of its committees.   I donate blood as often as I can, as it’s a really easy way to save up to three lives and share the blessing of good health.

Tell us about your family/pets?

Glen and I have been married for 34 years and have two young adult sons.  The older one lives in Normal  and teaches math online.   The younger is a junior at University of Illinois in Urbana.   We have three cats and I’m an unabashed crazy cat lady!

Anything else you’d like to share?

In 1974 when I was in high school in Springfield, my dad became the first electric car owner in the city.  Electric cars were unheard of then.  Sometimes I drove that quirky-looking electric car to high school.  To this day at class reunions, I am remembered as the electric car gal.    In 2014, I once again became an ‘electric car gal,’ and love that I can drive FIA folks all around town and not use any gas.

On a more serious note, Faith in Action is a magnet for nice, good-hearted people.   It is a true joy to connect with both the care receivers and the other volunteers as opportunities present.   I love what a flexible and fulfilling volunteer opportunity Faith in Action offers.  We all need a reason to get up in the morning, and sometimes Faith in Action just might be that reason.