April is National Volunteer Month. We asked TRIF Chapters in RC 43 to tell us about the volunteer work that members do. We are overwhelmed by the response!
Here are some of the ways that retired NY teachers in Florida continue to give back to the community: TREASURE COAST: Gail Adelhardt—American Association of University Women, Brandeis National, Mary's Shelter. ; Felicia Bruce -- Interfaith minister marrying couples on "pay it forward with love and service instead of fees"...education activist for students, families and teachers, service traveler.... . SARASOTA: David Greise—aquarium guide, Mote Marine Laboratory; Ginny Griese—AV at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lakewood Ranch, Volunteer at Taoist Tai Chi Society, Women’s March Sarasota; David Muolo—President Selby Botanical Garden Associates; Sue Levinson—All Faith Food Pantry, Venice FL, Womens’ March Washington DC; Pat Benson—President of Democratic Women’s Club, Vice President of AAUW and TRIF, Reading Pals volunteer (United Way), Mentor for Take Stock in Children, Thrivent Volunteer for community outreach, Stem Program for Manatee Branch of AAUW, NAACP volunteer when needed; Liz Lynne—Lakewood Ranch Humane Society; JD Lynne—Tour Guide Historic Spanish Point, Tour Guide Susan B Anthony House, Rochester, NY, Americans United for Separation of Church & State, Board of Directors, Local Coordinator Sarasota/Manatee Secular Organizations for Sobriety; Elly Rotheim—Director Selby Botanical Gardens Associates, Selby Botanical Gardens Welcome Center, Women’s March Sarasota; Jim Paone—Selby Botanical Gardens, John Ringling Museum; Lee Henks—Usher at Venice Theatre, works in the dining room at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Tutors at Epiphany Cathedral School, volunteers at Venice Regional Hospital;
SOUTHEAST: Miriam Hanan—President of Southeast Unit TRIF, Interim Secretary RC 43, Vice President Democratic Club of Greater Boynton, Vice President PBC Democratic Veterans Caucus, Seated Member of PBC Democratic Executive Committee, Elected Precinct. Leader for Democratic Precinct 3150 in Election Zone 7W, Merrick Retired Teachers Coordinator of Communications and Retiree Benefits, Muirhead Estates at Aberdeen HOA Secretary in charge of legal documentation, Active member in PAP Corps, Member of ORT, Stage manager and performer in annual community show; Bill Cea—Trustee, Southeast Unit TRIF, Board of Directors FL Alliance for Reired Americans and Broward County AFL-CIO, member of Knights of Columbus, Lector and Eucharistic Minister- Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Jude Roman Catholic Church; Cheryl Dodes—Newsletter Editor ODDS ‘n’ ENDS and The Southeast Catalyst; Newsletter Editor Boca Raton Orchid Society, Docent at Green Cay Nature Center, Volunteer at Broward North Hospital, Joint Replacement Center, Writer and Production Staff for Times of Your Life magazine; Carolyn Buonomo—Secretary of TRIF, Usher at First Presbyterian Church in Pompano Beach Conservation Chair of Boca Garden Club, Member of Get out the Vote Team of Democratic Club of Highland Beach, Highland Beach Library volunteer; Debra Peters—Teaches weekly iPad/iPhone classes for members of her over-55 community, Facilitates weekly 2-mile sunrise ocean beach walks, including a little yoga and QiGong, Vice President of Programming for TRIF Southeast Unit, has organized HS reunions for the last 40 years; Marsha Friedman—Treasurer of RC 43 for the state of Florida, Treasurer of the Southeast Chapter of RC 43, Programming Chairman of the Mayim Hadassah chapter at Cascade Lakes community, on the set up and clean up committee of Hadassah, membership Vice President of the singles club in Cascades Lakes community; SPACE COAST: Deb Peterson—President RC 43; President Space Coast TRIF, Member NYSUT RAC, Schroon Lake Public Library Volunteer (Used Bookstore and House & Garden Docent), Schroon Lake Fish & Game Club (Lobster Bake Volunteer), Seagle Music Colony - does quartet and ensemble a cappella performances community/civic groups; Allan Gair—NYSUT RC 43 (retiring) Secretary, Space Coast TRIF VP Programs, Treasurer, Board Member, Chairman ER Front Desk, Chairman ER Back Supply, and Co-Chair Courtesy Valet Service at Health First Medical Group at Holmes Regional Hospital, Assistant to the Board, Compass Pointe HOA.
The GREATER NAPLES Unit has donated new sneakers and contributed money to Laces of Love. It is an organization that provides new sneakers to low income and disadvantaged children in Collier and Lee Counties, Florida. For further information, please contact the co-presidents. This Unit does a lot of volunteer work: Volunteering at the Naples Botanical Garden, Delivering mail at Bentley Village Nursing Home, Service Chair for Donations for Charities at Longshore Lake Women's Club, Longshore Lake Fitness Committee, Welcoming Committee at Hampton Park, Lector at St. John XXIII, Helping residents at Harbor Chase Assisted Living and Memory Care of Naples, Alzheimer's Support Network of Naples, Volunteer teaching at Lake Trafford Elementary School of Immokalee, Bayshore Fire and Rescue, ECHO, Habitat for Humanity, Collier Harvest and Bread to Immokalee from Publix, Lake Advisory Committee Longshore Lake HOA, Reading is Fundamental, Faculty volunteer Diakonia Adult Classes Florida Bahamas Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, Leading classes for Bone Builders, Taking Stock in Children, St. Agnes Choir, Heritage Bay Committees, Reading is Fundamental,
Free Italian classes 2 times a week - Naples Italian American Club, Evaluating teachers for Golden Apple Teachers of the Year, Fundraising to benefit Women of International Club.