Sandy Klekowski, of Niles, is a longtime volunteer at the Greater Niles Senior Center, which provides a broad range of services and programs for seniors in the Niles area. It is located at 1109 Bell Rd., Niles. Contact the center by calling (269) 683-9380 or visiting the website greaternilesseniorcenter.org.

 

What do you do at the senior center?

I am the librarian here. We have a beautiful library. I am also on the board. I’ve been volunteering at least five years already.

 

How did you get involved?

I just came to the senior center one day and saw that they had needs I could fill, so I just kept doing it. I do a lot of things, like pass out the lunches and the milk we get to the people who come in. I am there Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

I love it here. I love the fact that we have a place we can go. Right now (at the senior center) there are people playing cards. There are seniors that love playing skip ball. We have euchre — you name it we have it here. Seniors can come in here and have a lunch for $2 and can play all day long. There are puzzles and all sorts of things you can do. On Wednesdays, we have a chat and stitch group where you get to sit and work with your hands and mouth.

 

What do you enjoy most about volunteering there?

The fellowship. When I prayed today that is the one thing I kept saying — that I love the fellowship here and I am so glad that we have it. When we come we really feel like we are welcome here.

 

Why is it important to volunteer?

It is the only way I can do things today. I am on a walker so I can’t do a lot of work anymore, so volunteering is my way of giving back to the community. I volunteered at the Hunter Ice Festival in the place where the kids made the crafts. I was the craft lady for that. I just feel like it is important. It also gets me out and makes me feel a lot younger than an old lady at 66.

 

Do you know a volunteer worthy of recognition? Nominate him or her as the Volunteer of the Week by emailing Craig Haupert, Niles community editor, at craig.haupert@leaderpub.com, or calling him at (269) 687-7713.