Jay Groves – September 2018 Volunteer

 

JAY GROVES … September Volunteer in the Spotlight

This month’s Volunteer in the Spotlight is Jay Groves… He is a regular shopper for a number of care receivers.

When did you become a volunteer for FIA and what volunteer positions have you chosen to do? 

I became a FIA volunteer after I retired in April 2017.  I began by driving folks to their appointments, etc., and now I mostly take people grocery shopping. I have always been the grocery shopper for my family, and I enjoy it.  So now, I am the permanent grocery shopper for several FIA partners.  I take them shopping every other week, and I enjoy spending time with them.

What brought you to FIA?

During my professional career, I served on several boards for community organizations.  In retirement, I wanted to continue to volunteer some of my time, but more on the “worker” level as opposed to the “administrative” level.

 

Who referred you?   What got you to contact us?

I heard about  FIA through my church (Calvary United Methodist).

 

Were you looking?

I wanted to volunteer some of my time, but I also wanted to be able to set my own hours.  In my opinion, FIA is a perfect option.  FIA is very organized, and volunteers are able to access a site to choose their activities and times when they want to volunteer.

 

Words of Wisdom on life:

I think to have “words of wisdom,” you should be wise, and I cannot make any claims in that regard.  I do have the experience that comes with years, and my experience tells me we should spend some of our time doing things to make life easier for others.

Even as a young person, I gravitated to more “seasoned” individuals, and now that I am “seasoned” myself, I still practice that aspect of life.

 

Have you lived in the area long? … Places you have lived?

I have lived full-time in Bloomington-Normal since 1984.

 

Where did you go to school?

I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from Illinois State University. GO REDBIRDS!

 

Jobs/ Careers? I worked at Channel 31 from 1981 to 1984 as Executive News Producer.

I worked at Illinois State University from 1984 until 2017, first as an instructor and then in administration.  I also worked part-time at WJBC radio from 1985 to 1995.

 

Hobbies/ past times/ passions

My wife, Doris, recently retired from Illinois State University.  We purchased a second home in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, and we spend a lot of time there, boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, etc.

 

Family/ Pets

Doris and I have two sons, Andy, who is a tech specialist in Memphis, and Dan (getting married soon!), who is a geologist in Rapid City, South Dakota.  I also have a lovely daughter, Erin, who is an accountant in Chicago.  Doris and I also spoil our rescue shelter canine acquisition, Lexi.

What else would you like to tell us? 

I would encourage anyone who is considering volunteering some of their time to check out Faith-In-Action.  It is an excellent and wonderfully organized initiative and provides a flexible way for people to serve the community.  You also get to meet a diverse group of terrific local people.

 

Anything unique and unusual about yourself you would like to share?

Nope…I’m pretty common!