Stories of Service

Austa Lee, 70, has been a volunteer in the Foster Grandparent Program in the Traverse City area for 5 years. She mentors, serves as a role model, reads and plays, talks and listens, and is “just there” for 3 and 4 year old Head Start children. Austa Lee says, "I feel I need to do something for mankind and this is a good way of doing it. I almost feel like I am going back to school. I learn so much from the children and I hope they also learn from me.” Austa Lee also volunteers one day a week as a Senior Companion at a local long-term facility. Her positive attitude and warm smile and words are appreciated by all. She adds such warmth to the Senior Volunteer program as both a Foster Grandparent and a Senior Companion of Northwest Michigan.