Sarah Boeh – May 2019 Volunteer

I have always had an affinity with the elderly; I would happily accompany my gramma to her Book Lovers’ Club and listen intently to the participants’ discussion.  I was also interested in my family tree, and spent a lot of time, captivated by the stories my great-aunt shared. 

I was thrilled when I saw an ad in my church bulletin, and promptly called Linda Stuckey, our Faith in Action liaison.  She was very helpful and got me signed up for an orientation session.  I believe I started driving for FIA in October 2014.  For most of my tenure, I have averaged three rides a week.  

I grew up on Vale Street and attended Washington Elementary, but at 15, my family moved to Tennessee.  I attended Wesleyan briefly, but then graduated from ISU.  After earning my M.A. and PhD from The Ohio State University, I took a position with CSUSB as the Dance and Movement Arts Specialist in the Kinesiology department.  I taught from 1989-2009, retiring early: my mom died unexpectedly in 2009, so I moved home to take care of my dad.  I lived with my father until he died in 2017.

I began working for Synergy HomeCare in 2017 and am now serving as a Client Care Specialist.  In this role, I am able to serve as a liaison between care-receivers and care-givers.  The requirements of the job allow me to utilize my teaching/writing expertise and my love of the elderly.  I must say that I never imagined I’d be doing what I’m doing, but I like helping folks and I’m pretty good at it.  

I’ve always been a dog magnet, having been adopted by eight of them in the last 45 years.  Despite wanting well-trained dogs, I’ve flunked my part in obedience class, however, I have taught all of my dogs to not bark. I regard that as significant because, who likes a barking dog?

I am a long-time crossword puzzle fan and a recent, but getting-better Sudoku solver. I have a “cookie ministry” as I call it; I give my sweets to everyone I meet.  It is the perfect hobby: I greatly enjoy baking them, and the recipients get free, home-made yummies!

I would say that the most unusual thing about me right now is that I can rap/sing all of the opening number to the musical, “Alexander Hamilton”.  I remember most of my students falling down with laughter while I tried to dance hip hop in the 90’s.  I wish they could hear me now because they would be amazed.