by Allison Rossi Utter, Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager
Carol Kirkpatrick, September Volunteer of the Month, is a site volunteer for the Trailside Center. “Carol is always upbeat! She is kind to everyone and helps others to feel comfortable,” comments Cari Cole, Trailside Activity & Dining Site Manager. “Carol is observant to the needs of others. She is always quick to step in and help with anything that needs to be done at Trailside. She is such a great person!”
Originally from Illinois, Carol came to Midland just a short time ago after her husband passed in January 2020. She got involved with volunteering at Senior Services first as a Friendly Visitor. Carol explained that she was attending a monthly ENCORE event when Tina Podboy Laugher, former Volunteer & Community Outreach Manager told her she would make a great friendly visitor. She started visiting the client she was paired with around Christmas time however, wanted to become more involved at the Trailside Center.
Carol worked in Human Recourses at the University of Illinois for 38 years. She exclaimed that she “Loves people and likes to meet new people all the time.” Carol stepped up and took on the role of Trailside Center Advisory Board Treasurer after attending for just a short period of time. Cari Cole reports that “Carol connected right away with several of the other participants. We all really enjoy her fun personality!”
She attends all of the meetings and offers positive and relevant input to the group. She is very organized and thorough. Carol has spent time organizing the Advisory Board’s bingo prizes. This has included shopping for prizes, organizing the supply of prizes, and making sure all food prizes are current and not expired. She assists with selling 50/50 drawing tickets on bingo day. She brings small bills with her each week so that there is change for the participants. According to Cari, “Carol is a joy to be around with her calm and friendly demeanor. I feel very blessed to have her as part of our Senior Services family!”
Carol has also been a business volunteer for several years, reviewing non-profit constitutional by-laws. She moved to Midland to be closer to her daughter. She also has 2 sons that live in Upstate New York and 5 grandchildren. Carol enjoys gardening, reading, playing cards and traveling in her spare time. She has traveled to all of the Continents except Antarctica. Costa Rica is her all-time favorite place to travel to. She has been three times.
There are five Activity and Dining Centers throughout Midland County. The Centers are gathering places for active older adults to dine together, socialize and participate in a variety of activities and special events. The Trailside Center, managed by Cari Cole, is noted for their weekly line dancing classes and extensive card games. Volunteers are always welcome! For more information on activities call the center at 989-633-3790 or check the latest issue of Midland Prime Times. For volunteer opportunities, call Allison Rossi Utter at 989-633-3741.
Thank you Carol for your wonderful volunteer spirit and congratulations on being chosen as the Volunteer of the Month!
We Need Volunteers!
Senior Services is in need of Friendly Visitor, Shopping, Meals on Wheels drivers, Transportation drivers, Team Handyman and Activity & Dining Centers/Seasons Entertainers (Do you play an instrument? Magic? Puppets?).
If you choose to volunteer with us, you will be embarking on a rewarding adventure that will have a huge impact on the older adults of Midland County! And you will join one of the finest groups of people we know – our experienced, trusted and valued volunteers!
Visit us at www.SeniorServicesMidland.org to fill out a volunteer contact form or call Allison Rossi Utter, Volunteer and Community Outreach Manager, at 989-633-3741.
