Meet Jean Pierce…a weekly (and usually twice weekly) volunteer grocery shopper for Store to Door for more than 20 years. Jean will turn 89 years old in June 2014.
Jean is a life-long volunteer. She grew up with the mindset that everyone should give back in whatever way they can and she’s volunteered for as long as she can remember.
Among many other things, she volunteered for the Citizens Review Board through the Oregon Judicial Department for nearly 20 years, helping to review cases involving foster children and foster care issues. She spent many years contributing time to CASA in Portland, which also advocates for children in the foster care system. Jean’s also volunteered at nearby juvenile homes, thrift stores and run errands with and for local foster children throughout the years.
Her dedication to shopping for Store to Door every week is part of what makes our volunteer-reliant program work. She knows how the program works and is committed to the cause. Add up all of the hours Jean has volunteered with Store to Door over the years, and you’re looking at between 3,000 to 4,000 hours!
“I tell everyone I know about Store to Door,“ she says. Jean enthusiastically spreads the word about Store to Door, distributing program brochures wherever she can because she strongly believes that there’s a great need for our services. And there is.
Why does she do it? “It makes me feel better to do something for someone else,” she says. And she really enjoys keeping active by shopping the store once or twice a week. “It’s great exercise,” she adds, “and it’s part of life for me.”
Jean plans to continue volunteering regularly with Store to Door for as long as she’s able and, believe it or not, she’s even actively looking to find an additional volunteer opportunity to enjoy in her spare time.
As we celebrate April’s Volunteer Appreciation Month, we can’t thank Jean and all Store to Door volunteers enough for their enduring commitment to such an important cause. You make Store to Door possible.
To become a Store to Door volunteer, please contact Barb McDowell at Barb@StoretoDoorofOregon.org or call 503-200-3333 ext. 008.