Down Memory Lane: Pollyanna Spears

Behind every good woman is another equally good woman.  Pollyanna Spears was a transplant from Texas thanks to her husband’s State Farm career.  Her Faith in Action experience spans most of FIA’s history.  In 2009 she began as a volunteer, driving and later working the transportation desk.  Her technical skills soon came in to play when FIA invested in our first software program, CareWorks, which was designed to track volunteers and fundraising.  She did much of the data entry and educating of staff and volunteers.  Within a few years, FIA made the move to utilizing RideScheduler software to track and match Care Receiver rides and volunteer efforts.  Now volunteers could choose rides from the comfort of their homes.  Still a volunteer with FIA Pollyanna began her career with Multicultural Leadership Program and Linda Bollivar as their new Director. One year later Doretta Herr offered Pollyanna her dream job with Faith in Action. So, in December of 2015 she became the Development Coordinator, helping to plan and execute galas. Pollyanna comes from a culture where helping family is a part of life.  With no senior family in the area, FIA filled that void.    

With Pollyanna’s guidance, FIA invested in software called Maestro which helped track and plan the galas.  With her “can do” attitude, she soon filled in as Volunteer Coordinator and was central in planning and executing FIA’s move from Lincoln Street to the ARC (Activity & Recreation Center.)  Over the years she has been amazed at how just a little support can help a senior to stay independent in their own home.  We thought we had lost Pollyanna again when she moved back to Texas to help her ailing parents.  Once again, she answered our call to be our technical advisor on Facebook, the website, and a new program that she helped bring to FIA:  eTapestry.  This new program helps track fundraising efforts and allows us to collect payment on things like the plant sale. 

We miss Pollyanna’s big smile and hearty laugh but are so glad she is still with us – even from afar.  Congratulations to her on the marriage of two of her children and the birth of her first grandchild.

Submitted by Sandy Holcomb, FIA Board of Directors