Over the years, Kendal residents have regularly served as volunteers in our local community. They have found their experiences to be a way of giving back, and of sharing their time and interests with others.  The Connections issue of September 2018 described some of the opportunities to volunteer and the sense of fulfillment and accomplishment that accompanies the experience. This article is about some of the present volunteers: Louise Tardy, Caroline Bridges, Mary Coulling, and Pat Thomas.  Space limits inclusion of many more here, so we will update this article in the future.

  • Louise Tardy, a trained nurse anesthetist, worked for many years at Stonewall Jackson Hospital.  She now volunteers in four-hour shifts at the front desk registering patients .  She does not have a regular schedule, but remains flexible to serve as a relief volunteer when someone else has a conflict; this means that she may serve once a week or three times a week, or not at all.  In her own words, she volunteers because she wants her life to revolve around doing worthwhile things and helping others.

  • Since 2010, Caroline Bridges has volunteered at Stonewall Jackson Hospital three days a week  for five hours on each day.  You can find her on the second floor, where she provides non-medical assistance to surgical patients getting ready for their procedures.  She loves interacting with others, and her volunteer position gives her the joy of doing just that.

  • Mary Coulling has over the years volunteered at Stonewall Jackson House, and at the various events and activities of the Lexington Presbyterian Church.  Also she was president of the Lexington League of Women Voters for a number of years, until that group dissolved as its members increasingly joined the work force.  She likes being involved in the local community, which keeps her interests sharp and focused.

  • Pat Thomas has long volunteered at Mountain View Elementary School.  Twice a week she  works for an hour on reading with the same two second graders.  She has also worked with kids in kindergarten and in first grade.  She enjoys kids, and this use of her time gives her an opportunity to get to know a child and encourage him or her by demonstrating her interest in the child’s progress.  She is quick to note that it is hard to know whether her efforts help the children in the long run.

This article by resident Maureen Crandall was scheduled for this issue prior to her untimely death in late April.  We will continue the celebration of resident volunteers, on an intermittent basis.