Good Neighbors give back and learn something new

Two places that welcome elders as both clients and as volunteers are the Hamline Midway Elders Program and Keystone Community Services.

At age 89, JoAnn Olsen is still giving back to her Midway community. Longtime residents might remember Olsen as a home daycare operator.

Olsen grew up in Midway and lived in her home for 65 years before moving to Lexington Landing. She is also a volunteer at her current senior building.

Olsen has volunteered for 15 years with the elders. When she began, Olsen was still driving. She took others on grocery store trips and to medical appointments. “If someone had had surgery and needed to walk, I would go out and walk with them,” she said.

She has continued to help with the Hamline Midway Elders monthly luncheons held at Hamline Church United Methodist. “Once a month I do the reminder calls,” she said. “It’s a good way for us to keep in touch with people.”

When she was still driving, Olsen would also serve as a luncheon greeter and hand out name tags. It’s an activity she misses now.

At Lexington Landing, Olsen helps distribute the senior living complex fliers, leaving them at residents’ doors. She also helps by answering phones and staffing the office during Saturday and Sunday lunch breaks.

Volunteering is a great way to stay engaged and involved for elders, said Olsen. “I enjoy every bit of it.” She encourages others to look at ways that they can give back.

The elders program has a wide range of volunteer needs, for a range of ages. Learn more about Hamline Midway Elders and volunteering at https://www.hmelders.org/. 

Hamline Midway Elders will hold its 25th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, June 23, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Hamline Church (1514 Englewood Ave).

Francie schaefer
When Francie Schaefer looked for volunteer options in retirement, she wanted to give her time to a place that reflected her values and also served its community. She has just marked six years of helping at Keystone Community Services in the food program.

A friend who also volunteers at Keystone suggested that she give the program a try. Schaefer was hooked and has regularly volunteered ever since.

The Ely native and St. Scholastica College graduate has lived in the area for about 45 years with her husband. She retired six years ago after a long career in healthcare, most recently in Fairview’s regulatory and compliance division.

Schaefer said volunteering at Keystone is very rewarding. She praises her fellow volunteers, saying that they are a fun group to work with, as the help provide food for community members. “I learn something new from them every time I am here,” she said.

Volunteers get great training and support from Keystone staff, she added. For elder volunteers, there is a need to feel supported and safe. Schaefer said that is the case for her and others at Keystone.

“The staff takes great care of us,” she said.

In this time of food scarcity and program cutbacks, what Keystone does in its various food programs is more important than ever. That includes food shelf, Food Mobile and senior food programs.

“Everyone here is very committed to what they do,” she said. “I have felt very blessed in my life, and this gives me a chance to give back.”

Founded in 1939, Keystone began in Merriam Park as a neighborhood community center that served a largely immigrant worker population.

Keystone has since grown into a large, community-based services provider. Its services reach more than 50,000 people, primarily in the Ramsey County area. It offers a wide range of programs, which was an attraction for Schaefer when she began volunteering.

The food programs are joined by social services, crisis programs and support programs for a range of ages, including a senior center, youth tech program with Best Buy, the Express Bike Shop and more.

“I think that they (Keystone) do so much for the community,” she said.

Schaefer began at Keystone when it operated out of small, worn University Avenue storefronts. Conditions were crowded and volunteers had to be careful not to bump into one another.

She and other volunteers and food shelf patrons now enjoy working out of the larger, renovated facility at 1800 University Ave. It offers ample space for Keystone offices as well as storage for fresh and frozen foods and other goods.

To volunteer at Keystone, go to https://keystoneservices.org/volunteer/. 

Schaefer’s other primary volunteer activity is being on the board of directors of the B-Dale Club in Roseville. The B-Dale Club is a unique, community-focused social club and event venue located at 2100 Dale Street N. in Roseville, just north of the St. Paul city limits. It is a longtime area charitable organization.

The B-Dale Club is also known for its restaurant and its entertainment. It is also known for supporting charities and youth activities. “It’s a different volunteer experience and I do enjoy it very much,” she said.