Volunteer Wall finds fulfillment through others

Kelly Wall, 63, volunteers with Country Manor, the Great River Regional Library, Catholic Charities Food Shelf and Second Harvest and says volunteering has given her a strong sense of community.

Kelly Wall, 63, of Sartell works as a van driver for Country Manor assisted-living and volunteers with several community organizations. The story was published to highlight volunteerism ahead of National Volunteer Week, April 19–25. Wall joined the AmericCorps Retired Seniors Volunteer Program at age 55 and describes volunteering as how she found a sense of community. She balances paid work with volunteer shifts at libraries, food shelves and a food-rescue program. Activities: - Wall works four 10-hour days per week driving one of five Country Manor vans to transport residents to appointments, errands and other outings. - On Thursday evenings she volunteers as a clerk in the budget bookstore at the Great River Regional Library in St. Cloud. - At Catholic Charities Food Shelf she serves as a food-intake volunteer, checking clients in during distribution times. - Early Fridays she volunteers as an "Open Door Food Rescue" driver for Second Harvest, collecting donated food from stores and returning it to the warehouse for distribution. - Wall says she meets about 30 people a day through her activities and that volunteering followed her move to central Minnesota. Summary: Wall describes volunteering as a source of social connection and ongoing personal fulfillment, and her roles support older residents and local food programs. The piece was timed to recognize National Volunteer Week and to highlight the range of volunteer activities she performs. Undetermined at this time.