048 Sherri Settles–Tennessee Donor Services
Improving Lives by Connecting People—Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation
Everyone has an opportunity to leave a legacy as a registered organ and tissue donor. As a donor, you can save and improve lives of individuals in need of a lifesaving transplant and those whose lives are impacted by tissue donation. Or you can volunteer as an ambassador, telling your story to community groups of how giving or receiving an organ or tissue donation has had an impact on you and your family. Or you can help get the word out through mailings, special projects, and participating in the big fundraising concert. Volunteering at any level helps connect people who have great need with those who can give of themselves.
Sherri Settles, staff with Tennessee Donor Services, talks about how volunteers, donors, and families make donation and transplantation possible. By mobilizing the power of people and the potential of technology, Tennessee Donor Services extend the reach of each donor’s gift, honoring their gift of life. Visit the Tennessee Donor Services website (tds.dcids.org) for more information.
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047 Ron Schlagheck—Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels—More Than Just a Meal
For Ron Schlagheck and his wife, the invitation to drive for Meals on Wheels came from their church. Volunteers at various churches often take turns preparing the meals. Other volunteers deliver them.
The recipients are usually homebound and are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals due to health and/or physical limitations. These individuals not only enjoy the hot nutritional meals, but also the visits from volunteers who care about them and make sure that they are doing well.
The recipients are not only receivers, but also givers. Kindness and appreciation abound. Ron and his wife continue to be amazed at the reception they receive each time they make their delivery!
In addition to Meals on Wheels, Ron’s days are busy volunteering in local community councils, University of Florida Alumni Association, STEM mentoring, AARP advocacy, and church projects.
For more information, visit a Meals on Wheels website.
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046 Tiffany Cloud—Alzheimer’s Association
Alzheimer’s Outreach—More Awareness Needed
Tiffany Cloud-Mann, Vice President of Programs & Outreach for the Mid-South Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, helps work on the global, national, and local levels to enhance care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
The Mid South Chapter offers several educational programs for community members and families facing Alzheimer's. Locally, volunteers assist with health fairs and in the office preparing mailings and answering inquiries. Other volunteers use their expertise as speakers on behalf of the Association or as organizers for the big fundraising walks. Yet others get sponsors and make the walk.
At the state and federal level, the Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voice for Alzheimer's disease advocacy, fighting for critical Alzheimer's research, prevention, and care initiatives. The organization diligently works to make Alzheimer’s a national priority. In this interview Tiffany speaks to how volunteers can make a difference for this vital work, as well.
The organization provides caregivers and families with comprehensive online resources and information through their Alzheimer's and Dementia Caregiver Center and a professionally staffed 24/7 daily, a helpline (1-800-272-3900), which offers information and advice to more than 300,000 callers each year and provides translation services in more than 200 languages. For more information visit alz.org.
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045 Susan Brown—The Little Pantry That Could
Serving Those in Need—The Little Pantry With a Big Heart
After teaching elementary school for 37 years, Susan Brown found another way to make a connection with others: serving neighbors who are in need through The Little Pantry That Could. After a “100-Year” flood in Nashville in 2010, Stacy Cowney realized that access to healthy food wasn’t a widely available resource. She committed to changing that, and The Little Pantry That Could, which she directs, was born.
Giving food provisions like fresh fruits and vegetables, and a variety of shelf-stable goods to anyone in need is the volunteers’ primary mission, but shoppers have other needs, as well. And in whatever way Little Pantry volunteers can help, they will. Susan and other volunteers make personal connections with each shopper, letting them know that they are cared for and that they are important. Also, staff and volunteers believe that having a choice gives persons a sense of dignity, and so visitors are able to take what they need without question.
Born and raised in Nashville, Susan has retired and has also become a Master Gardener. She loves gardening and hiking and volunteering. Three days a week, she is making the world a kinder place, helping those in need.
The Little Pantry opens its doors to people all over Davidson and surrounding counties. To find out more about this unique organization, visit www.thelittlepantrythatcould.org or call or text 615-260-5769.
You can find other episodes in the series at retiretovolunteering.com.
You can support this series at patreon.com/volunteering.