Profile of a Volunteer

           My Grandmother Elizabeth S Guenzel lived her life as a volunteer and philanthropist.  The following two paragraphs extracted from her obituary describe her efforts as she gave her time and energy to help others. 

Betsy spent her time as a community volunteer in both downtown Chicago and in the suburbs.  The Junior League of Chicago, Children’s Memorial Hospital and Hadley School for the Blind where she recorded books on tape were a few of her many activities.  She was a Brownie Troop leader and one Brownie was quoted as saying that “Mrs. Guenzel looked like spinach in her green uniform”.  She was also a cafeteria line volunteer at North Shore Country Day School where her children attended school.

In the 1960s, Betsy met Joyce Myers, a Special Education teacher at the Hibbard School in Chicago, at a course where Joyce was lecturing.  Betsy was very interested in volunteering in Joyce’s classroom for emotionally disturbed children but she needed to complete a course that was given for graduate students at The Institute for Psychoanalysis.   Although she had not finished college, she was able to use her volunteer work and her life long interest in psychology as “life credits” for entrance into the course.  Upon completion of the two-year course, Betsy worked as a volunteer four days a week in Joyce’s classroom for four years and then part time for another two years after her husband’s retirement.

When I was a senior in high school I was able to participate in an internship program and also volunteered in Joyce Myers's classroom for three weeks.   It was at this time I truly understood the role my Grandmother had played as a volunteer to support these children with diverse needs daily.  Her commitment to the work and the families was unsurpassed.

Often people identify an area where they may want to contribute their time and energy, but do not pursue it because it is too difficult.  My Grandmother recognized she wanted to help the children in Joyce Myer’s classroom, but she had an enormous hurdle to over come and had to participate in two years of training before she could enter the classroom.  Instead of walking away she faced the challenge and with tenacity reached her goal.  As an advocate for the well being of young children and families I am often faced with challenges, but  my Grandmother’s example has taught me I must face forward and stay the course.  It will be worth it in the end!