Local senior expands volunteer service through the Internet
— Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 by Stanwood/Camano News
By Adam Stewart-Staff Reporter
For Stanwood resident Luise Volta, volunteering is a way to find her identity, build self-worth and avoid loneliness.
She gives her time to open new doors and create lasting relationships.
"We live in a two-way world instead of a self-absorbed world," she said.
Volta describes a self-absorbed world as defeating.
"Unless you're really fascinating," she chuckled.
Drawing on her sense of humor, complemented by her infectious laughter and a sincere smile, the 82-year-old Volta has been finding herself, and opening doors for others at the Warm Beach Senior Community for the past nine years.
She has assisted in a variety of tasks from interviewing new residents and writing for the community's publication, to working at the nursing reception desk and serving as a member of the Snohomish County Council on Aging.
In September, Volta was recognized as one of seven seniors by the Foss Home and Village Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Seattle, for contributions to her community during a senior appreciation reception.
Although she has enjoyes assisting at Warm Beach, circumstances with the health of her husband, Val, have forced her to find new volunterring outlets and redefine her sense of community.
When you come to a fork in the road, there are more options than one right decision or one wrong decision, she said.
She is starting to realize that her newest path was blazed 10 years ago when her son, Kirk, set up a computer in her home when he was preparing to move to Hawaii.
"He told me our communication was being forced to a new leve," she said. "He was pretty ruthless, telling me "You're smart mom, figure it out."
And figure it out she did.
Not only has Volta established and maintained, with the help of her son, a question and answer advice column Web site, she has recently been selected as a 2009 Local Hero by Bank of America Charitable Foundation's Neighborhood Excellence Initiative for her online efforts. Launched on Mother's Day in 2006, www.momresponds.com started as an outlet to engage discussion on the process of aging wisely, said Volta.
Over 900 questions, 1,200 published comments and 100,000 yearly visitors later, the site covers topics ranging from marriage issues, dealing with in-laws, facing the death of a loved one, nutrition, spirituality, and even, recreation vehicle advice-a subject she and her husband have plenty of knowledge about after touring the United Staes and Canada upon retirement.
Working online has transformed the way she gives her time. It provides her a vehicle to continue volunteering w hile staying at home to care for her husband.
"I've been an excellent listener all my life, a natural," said Volta.
She senses the need to be heard has always been a part of life, a contributing factor to the growth of her site.
Despite the fact that she is not a licensed counselor, the responses she provides come from a wealth of life experience.
"The goal has always been to give sincere responses from a mom's perspective," she said. "It's very satisfying to receive questions from people all over the world and be able to offer positive advice."
Volta sees the recognition from Bank of America as a "huge honor."
In addition to participating in the awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 27 at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall in Seattle, Volta will be accepting a $5,000 donation from Bank of America to give to a nonprofit organization. She has decided to award the donation to the Good Samaritan Fund at Warm Beach Senior Community.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to funnel money back into my community," said Volta.
The Good Samaritan Fund was established to help Warm Beach residents in time of financial crisis. By expanding into the online community, Volta discovered a way to reach the satisfaction she found through local volunteering.
Inspired by her success with momresponds.com, Volta has also created other special interest Web forums, www.motherinlawsunite.com and www.vintagervforum.com.
"I'm finding the Web to be a never-ending and exciting adventure," she explained.
Adam Stewart
Stanwood/Camano NEWS