Volunteer Success Stories

Phyllis, a member of St. Justin's parish, has been working with SAJE Senior Ministry since its conception in January 2011. She was inspired to volunteer for SAJE by her belief that as a volunteer, you get more out of it than you put into it. She also loved the idea of a ministry that was deeply committed to working for seniors, with seniors, and was ecumenical--it didn't matter what church someone went to or even if he or she attended one, SAJE Senior Ministry was here to help in any way possible.

As a SAJE lay council member, Phyllis provides an invaluable senior point of view for the direction the ministry wants to go. Additionally, she volunteers for SAJE's newsletter mailings. Phyllis loves the socialization aspect of these mailings, and knowing that she is helping to reach seniors that need the services SAJE provides.

In 2011, Phyllis was honored with the "Catholic Woman of the Year" award for Evangelism from the St. Louis Archdiocese. This award goes to women who enrich the body of Christ through word, deed, and prayer. She feels this sentiment aligns with the mission of SAJE--as a SAJE volunteer, she expresses God's love for anybody and everybody.

Outside of volunteering, Phyllis centers her life on her family first, spending as much time as possible with her four children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She also loves playing bridge, spending time with friends over dinner or watching movies, doing puzzles, exercising, and working with St. Justin's leisure club and lecturing.

Kay has been volunteering with South Grand Senior Ministry since 2005, when Sister Carrol recruited St. John's parishioners to volunteer as drivers. Since that time, she has given over 60 rides to medical appointments. She has also been involved with the newsletter mailing since it began.

Through the ministry, Kay has greatly enjoyed meeting new people and staying connected with old friends. The newsletter mailings provide her with a great way to stay connected with 6 close friends from St. John's, while South Grand volunteer appreciation days allow her to connect with friends she usually doesn't get to see. As a volunteer driver, Kay meets new people every month, and it is this aspect of service she enjoys most.

Outside of volunteering, Kay enjoys playing bridge on her computer, meeting friends weekly at the Grand Oak Hill Senior Center for BINGO and lunch, and attending Sister Carrol's exercise class. She also entertains many visitors at her home, especially her four children, six grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Please check out the video to hear Shirley's own words on how she got involved with our ministry, what volunteer opportunities she has done, and why there is a need for a senior ministry in the St. Louis area!

Ron, 60, has been a volunteer driver for “Ready, Set, Go” shortly after its inception in 2003. Ready, Set, Go is South Grand Senior Ministry’s transportation program, in which seniors are matched with volunteer drivers who take them to the doctor.

Ron, a parishioner of St. Stephen Protomartyr, initially made the decision to volunteer after seeing it in the church bulletin and thinking it over. “The Holy Spirit was working with me,” he says. “I was definitely feeling called to this ministry that I could be a part of it. I had spare time. I lived and worked in South St. Louis and I could be ready at a moment’s notice.”

Ron’s experience has been very uplifting. “All the riders are most grateful and appreciative,” he says. “I feel good about it — the program has a good purpose. What’s been most surprising is how much the elderly still enjoy life and have a thirst for life. You wouldn’t necessarily think that because they’re going to the doctor. But their uplifting personalities really rub off on me.”

Even though Ron’s work office moved to the county, he is still making time to volunteer in the afternoons when he can. We thank Ron for his dedication to our seniors!

Jim has been a volunteer driver for Ready, Set, Go since its inception in 2003. A parishioner of St. Stephen Protomartyr, Jim runs his own business mainly on weekends which gives him the flexibility to do things during the week.

After helping his own mother-in-law and seeing the difficulties the elderly have, Jim thought it would be the very least he could do to help. “I also believe that if I am going to call myself Christian then I should act accordingly,” he says. “I have never done it to get anything from it but I always know that one cannot out give God.”

Jim admits that the one thing he has noticed from almost everyone he has driven over the years is an appreciation for the help we have been able to give. We thank Jim and all the current drivers for their dedication to our seniors!