Volunteer Spotlight: Glen York

This month, we reached out to Glen York, one of our longest-tenured volunteers. This March, Glen celebrates his 21 year anniversary with our program! We are so grateful for Glen’s commitment to supporting our clients and our work, and look forward to a future in which we can see him around the office again!

Q: How did you first get involved with Store to Door?
A: During my working years, I was unable to undertake any routine volunteer positions. When I retired in 2000, I started looking for a volunteer position with children and one with seniors. I performed a weekly instructional puppet show in grade school for 12 years with ‘Kids on the Block.’ Fortunately, I found a recruitment notice in The Oregonian for Store to Door and have been an order taker ever since.

Q: What are you looking forward to most when restrictions are lifted on our community?
A: Besides having dinners at restaurants with my friends, I am looking forward to resuming my volunteer position as an usher at six Portland theaters. It’s a way of supporting the theaters and I get to see free shows!

Q: What’s a fun fact (hobby, talent, travel) that you’d like to share?
A: I have appeared in 55 theatrical productions, mostly musicals. The biggest shows were the summer productions at The Rose Garden amphitheater that drew audiences of 10,000 people (and lots of dogs).

Q: What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering with Store to Door?
A: That is an easy question because I am a huge fan of S2D and have recommended it to many people over the years. I think that S2D’s core mission of providing groceries for people who are unable to shop for themselves is desperately needed. Many of our clients could not continue to live independently if it were not for S2D.

Q: What do you enjoy most about volunteering with Store to Door?
A: I love my interaction with our clients. I have had the same client list for over a year. I have been calling some of those folks every Tuesday for over 10 years. We have a wonderful connection.

Q: Do you have any special memories of your time with Store to Door?
A: I had a client for a couple of years, “Judy,” who became a good friend during our weekly visits. When she passed away, I went to her funeral. It was a small gathering, and when it was over, I intended to slip away quietly so that I wouldn’t intrude on the family. As I left the building, a lady approached me and asked if I was Glen. To my immense surprise, she told me that “Judy”, her mother, had often spoken to her about me and our conversations every Tuesday. Other family members approached us and echoed her sentiments. It was a stunning reminder to me of the impact and importance of the S2D program.

Store to Door Welcomes Jay Rafter and Tony Rapp to Board of Directors

We are excited to welcome two new members to our Board of Directors! Jay Rafter and Tony Rapp bring a wealth of experience and relevant skill sets to our work, and will be valuable assets to Store to Door’s leadership. Read on to learn more about each new addition…

Tony Rapp currently serves as Director of Technology with Cambia Health Solutions and is responsible for claim and membership services across the Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plan. Tony first got involved with Store to Door as a volunteer in 2019, helping to choose a new technology platform for our volunteer program management, and connected immediately with the program’s mission and values. Recognizing the great and growing need felt by seniors and adults living with disabilities, and the impact that Store to Door’s work has in the community, Tony looks forward to playing an active role on the Board of Directors.

Originally from Skagit Valley Washington, Tony has now lived in Seattle for more than 20 years. He considers Portland his second home due to frequent travel for work, and holds great admiration for the community and culture of Portland and its surrounding areas. Tony is a graduate of the University of Washington Foster School of Business, a loving husband, and a proud father of two girls.

Jay Rafter joins Store to Door’s Board of Directors with more than 30 years of experience as an intellectual property lawyer, and is a retired partner from Stoel Rives LLP’s Portland office. Currently an angel investor with TiE Oregon Angels, Jay serves as an advisor to startups and young companies on both intellectual property and business matters, and informally mentors law students as well.

Jay has consulted with Store to Door on several legal matters in the last eight years and has served on the program’s Finance Committee since 2019. Connecting personally with Store to Door’s mission since first assisting in a pro-bono legal capacity, Jay looks forward to being a part of supporting the program’s continued projected growth, and to the possibility of considering additional services. He brings insight and respect for the program’s management team, employees, and volunteers, as well as confidence in the strength of the program to continue and expand service moving beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Becky Blumer Steps off Store to Door Board of Directors

While we are excited to add two new members to our Board, it is with sadness and gratitude that we bid farewell to longtime Board Vice President Becky Blumer as she steps off the Store to Door Board, after more than 7 years of service in multiple roles.

Since first connecting with our program in 2012 when Store to Door was located in the same building as United Way (where Becky previously worked), Becky has been a fixture within the Store to Door community, and a guiding force of our organizational growth, leadership, and strategy. She has been a member of both our Nourishing Circle, President’s Circle, as well as our LoVE League.

Officially joining our board in 2013, Becky had a deep connection to our work supporting homebound seniors and adults living with disabilities, and continued volunteering weekly as a Delivery Driver while serving as Board VP. In 2018, Becky and her client Betty Walker, who she had been delivering to since she first started volunteering, were featured at Store to Door’s Nourish to Flourish Benefit Gala. In 2019, Becky was awarded the Portland Monthly’s ‘Light A Fire’ award, in recognition of her extraordinary service as a Board Member.

Becky leaves the Store to Door Board in very strong position for continued growth, and we are so glad to have had her support and guidance over the years. We know that Becky will continue to be a member of the Store to Door family. Thank you Becky!

Volunteer Spotlight: Shelley Bedell

This month, we caught up with Shelley Bedell, who is a regular Volunteer Shopper at Hollywood Fred Meyer and who also makes weekly calls with our Friendly Caller program! Since starting to volunteer in April 2020, Shelley has given more than 120 volunteer hours in support of our clients and our program work!

Q: How did you first get involved with Store to Door?

A: I first became involved with Store to Door following communication with Marcia Blasen who is the Portland Food Project contact for me and my bi-monthly PFP contributors.

Q: You are a regular shopper at Hollywood and a Friendly Caller, what would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering for grocery shopping OR the Friendly Caller program?

A: Both shopping the lists for S2D customers and making Friendly Friday calls allow volunteers to become personally involved with individuals whom they’ll probably never meet but whose needs and lives are intimately supported and affirmed by the few hours a volunteer offers every week.

Q: What has been one of your favorite experiences as a Store to Door Volunteer?

A: One Wednesday the list I held requested a funny birthday card for an older lady! I fully enjoyed checking out Fred Meyer’s rather surprisingly broad card offering and chose one not too risqué and not too dull. On that same list the customer also wanted me to choose a dog play toy: not too squeaky or obnoxious. I hope neither item was returned as unacceptable!

Q: What keeps you busy when you are not volunteering with Store to Door?

A: I prefer being outdoors rather than indoors, so activities and projects in fresh air are on the most-liked list: hiking, camping, backpacking, xc skiing, cycling, gardening. My three adult kids have adopted similar passions, so the plus is we get together and share an outside joy.

Q: Are you binge-watching any tv shows? Have a favorite book to recommend?

A: I do not watch much tv and usually fall asleep before a movie is well underway. A favorite-favorite novel is Anthony Doerr’s All The Light We Cannot See. Be prepared to read well into the night and to cry.

Q: What are you looking forward to the most with COVID-19 restrictions are lifted?

A: Ohhhhh, when the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted: dinner parties and potlucks with friends and families will resume. All have been sorely missed.

Q: What is something that your fellow volunteers would be surprised to know about you?

A: It’s no surprise: I am a tech-neanderthal and forget passwords regularly.

Volunteer Spotlight: Debbe Borders

Since joining Store to Door as a Volunteer Delivery Driver in 2019, Debbe has spent more than 210 hours delivering groceries to Store to Door Clients. Originally delivering one day a week, Debbe noticed our waitlist lengthen at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and stepped up, committing to an extra delivery day each week! In addition to enjoying the physical activity involved in deliveries, Debbe loves the connection and interaction she gets to have with folks she delivers to.

You are a delivery driver for Store to Door, what made you decide to choose this volunteer position AND to volunteer twice a week?

I read about a couple that were both volunteering at Store to Door in AARP. Then I read that the Portland Metro Area had a Store to Door here. I checked out the website and thought I would enjoy delivering, as it has interaction with clients. I started with one day a week for my first year. When COVID-19 restrictions made it less comfortable for people to do their own shopping, Store to Door had a waiting list of over 100 people so I chose to add a second delivery day to my schedule to help out so that more clients could benefit from grocery delivery.

What do you enjoy most about being a Delivery Driver?

I like the physical aspect of driving to work, interacting with other drivers when I pick up my orders at Fred Meyer. I enjoy checking my orders, labeling them, and putting them in my car. I enjoy interacting with clients, especially those who have few visitors during COVID-19. The clients that are in senior living homes are not currently allowed visitors so I call them or text them after leaving their orders at the front desk. I enjoy how I feel on my way home, which is the best reason of all to do this work.

What would you tell someone who is thinking of volunteering with Store to Door?

I would encourage anyone interested in volunteering to explore the different options at Store to Door: taking orders on the phone from clients, shopping for the clients’ orders in Fred Meyer, delivering the orders to clients. It is easy to volunteer online. Then I had an orientation day (60 – 90 minutes) when I rode along with a training coordinator making deliveries, which helped me get the feel of the work and a typical day. My typical day volunteering is about 90 minutes to 2 hours. The best part about volunteering at Store to Door is the people who I interact with. I highly recommend it.

PacificSource Sponsors Day of Grocery Deliveries!

On December 9th, PacificSource sponsored a day of grocery delivery costs for Store to Door’s homebound clients through our Support-A-Day program! PacificSource has been a multiple time participant in this program, and we are grateful for their work supporting those in need in our community!

In addition to their partnership, PacificSource employees have given more than 36 hours of their time volunteering with Store to Door since 2018! We are so grateful for their partnership and their commitment to supporting homebound members of our community!

Volunteer Spotlight: Diane Newell

This month, we chatted with Diane Newell! Since 2018, Diane has volunteered with us in a wide variety of roles–shopper, order taker, admin volunteer, and as a member of our event team! In addition to our program, Diane volunteers regularly with several other community support organizations; we are so glad to have the opportunity to work with her, and admire her commitment to doing good in our community!

Q: How did you first get involved with Store to Door?
I discovered S2D through the Hands on Portland site. It’s a great way to check out volunteer opportunities and organizations without a big commitment. I shopped at the NW Burnside Fred Meyer years ago but I live in Beaverton and wanted more local opportunities, which I pursued. I was happy to see the program expand to the Beaverton Fred’s, so I started shopping again. On the signup sheet there it noted there was a big need for order takers so I trained in the office for a few shifts and now make my calls from home. During that time I got to know some of the great staff and learned of another opportunity: last year, I helped enter and acknowledge the donations for the annual Nourish to Flourish fundraising event which was good fun.

I’ve really enjoyed all aspects of my experience: the physical nature of shopping, the connections forged by taking orders, the ability to work from home (especially in these times, as several of my other volunteer gigs have been suspended).

Q: What are you looking forward to most when restrictions are lifted in our community?
I am most looking forward to being able to travel. I say my superpower is planning trips, and I play travel agent for my friends and family. I lived in Germany for several months, visited places like Costa Rica, China, Vietnam. I am eager to get back out there in the world! But luckily, I love gardening and dog walking which has kept me busy and somewhat sane these months. I love being outside in the fresh air! But talk to me in January 🙁

Q: What would you tell someone who is thinking of volunteering with Store to Door?
Do it! Great mission, great people, great need.

Q: What is your favorite Holiday tradition?
My partner and I were fortunate enough to spend last December in San Miquel de Allende, in central Mexico. It was wonderful to learn about and participate in their holiday traditions. This year, for Day of the Dead, my partner surprised me with an elaborate altar honoring our beloved deceased. I love that the Mexican culture takes joy in celebrating the dead rather than simply mourning them!

First Tech Federal Credit Union Sponsors Week of Grocery Deliveries

First Tech Federal Credit Union sponsored a week of grocery delivery costs for more than 300 homebound seniors and people with disabilities for the week of November 30th through Store to Door’s Support-A-Week program. Employees of First Tech celebrated the week by volunteering to grocery shop for Store to Door clients, along with other Portland-area volunteers.

During this challenging year, we are extremely grateful for community partners like First Tech, who have been a consistent partner with our program. First Tech employees join us regularly to volunteer in multiple capacities. We applaud both the organization and its people for their commitment to supporting community members in need!

Thank you, First Tech Federal Credit Union, for your support in helping our clients maintain their independence! Learn more about Store to Door’s Support-A-Day and Support-A-Week programs here!

Store to Door’s Second Annual Giving Tree

On Friday, November 20th, an enthusiastic group of volunteers helped shop for holiday gifts as a part of Store to Door’s second annual Giving Tree event! Serving nearly 60 Store to Door clients, volunteers selected, wrapped, and made personal holiday cards for each of the gifts, which will be delivered in early december along with clients’ regular deliveries.

A warm thank you to Columbia Bank for sponsoring this event, which is looked forward to by clients and volunteers alike!

Remembering Eleanore Rubinstein

April 23, 1913 to November 8, 2020

Store to Door recently lost a cherished member of our community. Long-time volunteer Eleanore Rubinstein passed away November 8^th at the age of 107, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Matriarch to her large, close-knit family, Eleanore was an inspirational example of involvement.

Along with her Dachshund, Sophie, Eleanore was a regular fixture in the Store to Door office each Tuesday afternoon. Sophie, a Store to Door character in her own right, sat patiently in her own chair next to Eleanore if there was room, or curled in her lap if there was not. Since becoming a Store to Door volunteer in 2013, Eleanore gave more than 235 hours in service to Store to Door clients. She was a beloved fixture in the lives of the clients she took orders from, many of whom were younger than her. Eleanore was consistently recognized for her excellent volunteer work, receiving a Light a Fire Extraordinary Volunteer award, as well as being selected as Store to Door’s 2016 Volunteer Order Taker of the Year.

Eleanore volunteering with Sophie, her dog — Eleanore and Sophie in the Store to Door office, 2015

Eleanore and Sophie in the Store to Door office, 2015

In addition to her volunteer work with Store to Door, Eleanore regularly gave her time to the Red Cross, PTA, Girl Scouts, and the National Council for Jewish Women. In an interview with Store to Door in 2016, Eleanore spoke about giving others the benefit of the doubt: “Find the good in people. Everyone has good in them. It’s also important to make friends and keep them.”

Eleanore often acknowledged how lucky she felt for her life growing up in Portland (Irvington Elementary, Grant High School), her wonderful family, her ever-expanding circle of friends. Those of us who had the chance to get to know Eleanore through her involvement with the Store to Door community feel like the luckiest of all.

To read more about Eleanore’s life and legacy, her obituary is provided on The Oregonian’s site here.