Marilyn M, October 2020 Spotlight

A bit over two years ago I began volunteering with FIA, first serving as a driver, then grocery shopper, assessor, friendly caller/visitor, and currently serving as the Volunteer Assessment Coordinator.  I work closely with Lynda A. who is our Volunteer Care Receiver Coordinator.

During the year before retiring from Illinois State University (ISU), I attended a local Senior Expo event to learn more about services, resources, and opportunities available for seniors in the Bloomington/Normal area.  At that event I learned about Faith in Action and thought it might be a place for me to serve once I retired.  Soon after retiring, I attended one of the FIA orientations, and began volunteering with this fabulous organization.

Two ideas or words of wisdom, that have kept me on course in life are 1) happiness is a choice we make, and 2) it is important to have purpose each day. I feel that my service with FIA nicely aligns with these two ideas.

I grew up with four siblings on a farm just north of Tuscola, Illinois. I attended ISU as an undergraduate but finished my undergraduate program in teacher education at Indiana University. Life happenings brought me back to ISU to complete two graduate degrees. During my time at ISU, I lived in both Bloomington and Normal, was married, raised a daughter, and now have two grandchildren (living in Chicago). In addition, I lived in Mesa, AZ, Bloomington, IN, and Towson, MD, before landing back in Normal, where I have lived since 1989. I taught in elementary schools in Indiana and then taught at ISU in the College of Education while working on my graduate degrees.  I then moved to Maryland and taught Science Education at Towson University for two years before returning to teach at ISU in 1989.

In addition to volunteering at FIA, I volunteer at ISU’s Horticulture Center, helping to maintain their gardens and helping with their fund-raising events. To keep up with my volunteer activities and grandchildren, I participate in Zumba and Fit and Fabulous classes several times a week.

Once we have COVID19 under control, I hope to do some traveling with my brother, who lives in Tuscola, IL. We have siblings and extended families living in in Seattle, WA, Cary, NC, and Thailand.

With God’s blessing, I will continue to serve with FIA for many years. I encourage others to consider volunteering with this organization, it will provide purpose in your life and perhaps some happiness as well.