Martha Hillmer – February 2020 Volunteer
When did you become a volunteer for FIA, and what volunteer positions have you chosen to do?
I have been a FIA volunteer since it began in 2005 and probably attended the first orientation they offered. I spend most of my time driving care receivers to medical appointments, but I’ve also worked on Gala committees and helped with editing programs and appeal letters. Currently I’m the liaison for St. Mary’s Parish.
Who referred you? What got you to contact us? I first learned about FIA because I knew many of the people who initiated the program in Bloomington-Normal. There was an appeal in the St. Mary’s parish bulletin for volunteers and I decided to sign up.
Had you been looking for an opportunity to volunteer? Yes, our last child graduated from high school in 2003 which ended my school volunteer work. It was time to move on to something else.
Any “Words of Wisdom” for us? The blessings/gifts we receive from God are meant to be shared, not kept. Sharing them is the best way to show our gratitude.
Have you lived in the area long? Other places you have lived? I am a native of McLean County, growing up on a farm near Danvers. However, I have lived in California, Texas (twice), Virginia (3 times), South Carolina (twice), and Alabama; also, England, Germany, Italy, Okinawa, and South Korea. In way of explanation, my husband was active duty USAF for thirty years.
Where did you go to school? I graduatedfrom Central Catholic High School and then Illinois State with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
Jobs/ Careers? Due to frequent international moves and four children, I never had a teaching “career”. However, I taught at the Anglo-Italian Montessori School in Naples, Italy, a school for General Motors employees’ children in Taegu, ROK, and the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton. For the past 18 years, I’ve been a substitute teacher at St. Mary’s School.
Hobbies/ Past times/ Passions? Obviously, I’ve had the opportunity to travel the world which has been such a wonderful experience. I recently completed visiting all 50 states. I sing in the choir at St. Mary’s and enjoy classical music. And I am passionate about Unbound, an organization that is helping families lift themselves out of poverty in many third world countries.
Family/ Pets? Bob and I will celebrate our 50th anniversary in August. Our four married children and five grandchildren live in New York, Boston, Oswego IL, Denver and Vancouver, WA.
Anything else you’d like to share? It has been very rewarding to watch Faith in Action grow from its simple beginnings (before RideScheduler) to the well-run organization it is today. There is definitely a need for FIA’s services and I’m proud to be a part of it.