Down Memory Lane: Opening the Doors

It was not surprising that the word got out about this wonderful new service for seniors called Faith in Action.  By the close of the first year of FIA had registered 137 care receivers.  That grew to 168 in 2007.  Even with the help of office volunteers like Pat Parmenter, Jennette Follick, Gerry Decker, Nan Ragsdale, Joan Erickson, Judy Huff and more, there was a need for a consistent office person to insure communication and transition from one shift of volunteers to another, to answer the phones and assist anyone who came to the office.  Fortunately, Dina Oakes came along.  She was hired through a federal grant managed by East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, which was designed to utilize the skill of seniors to assist agencies.  Dina loved working with the senior volunteers and she brought her own perspective to the job.  She started the program of sending birthday cards to care receivers.  She knew that some of our care receivers would not be remembered on their birthday.  Over the years she added birthday cards to volunteers as well.  As a volunteer, this is a program that she continues to this day, partnering with Bernadine Rickert, who creates many of the cards that are sent.  They average about 80 cards each month.

When the two-year grant ran out, Faith in Action realized the importance of having an office manager.  Board member Steve Roszhart introduced David Nybakke to Director Bobbi Hynes.  Steve and David had been through RCIA and Cursillo together.  He knew Dave was downsizing his roll in the family business, Nybakke Vacuum, and his business skills were an excellent match.  His empathy and organizational skills were valued assets, but most of all his calm approach and keen listening helped to keep the office humming harmoniously. Dave was hired in October 2009 and is the staff member with the most seniority.  He tells me that what he loves most about the job is connecting volunteers with care receivers and seeing the fulfillment that they receive in helping others. As Faith in Action continued to grow, more and more of the Director’s time was devoted to fundraising and overseeing the operation of the program. After a successful Gala, we decided to add a staff person to manage the volunteers.  In April 2012 Carolyn Wetzel was added to the staff as the first Volunteer Coordinator by the Director, Linda Bollivar.  Her education in gerontology and her experience with senior housing and long-term care made her a natural fit.  Working with Red Cross in Livingston County, she had experience working with and training volunteers on many levels.  When asked what she enjoyed most about working at Faith in Action she replied that FIA is a magnet for very kind people, and it is always nice to hang out with those kinds of people.  In fact, when Carolyn moved on to her next position she too continued with FIA as a volunteer driver and assisting a client with groceries.  Currently she is the co-liaison for First Baptist Church. 

Submitted by Sandy Holcomb, FIA Board of Directors