I’m retiring at the end of December! So by now it’s sort of sinking in that soon I won’t have to wake up to an alarm and leave my toasty, woodstove-heated home to venture to work in the cold! How can this be? How can I have worked for Senior Services for 20 years? How can I now officially be a senior?

I have always thought of the Senior Services’ clients and participants as people just like anyone else – they just happen to be a few years older. I feel like I am still 25 years old inside so I bet they all do too and I’ve always tried to treat people as such. I have so enjoyed my time here – 13 years as a Center Director and 7 years as Volunteer Manager. The participants at Trailside were a part of my life for so many years, and I truly loved that position. When I took the Volunteer Manager position, I learned so much more about Senior Services and was even more impressed by what we offered! I am so very proud of what we do at Senior Services and am honored to have been a part of this great organization for so many years. It has truly been the best place to work with the most wonderful staff and most giving volunteers!

And speaking of volunteers, you all have been the BEST! I am amazed at how giving our volunteers are – we have many who do multiple volunteer jobs and who have been volunteering for YEARS! My last day will be Tuesday, December 21. Obviously, I cannot get out to see all of the volunteers before then but I do invite you to stop by my office if you are in the area. And I wish you many more years of volunteering for the greatest organization in Midland County!

Thank you all for being a part of my life for over 20 years! I have many great memories as a staff member here and plan to have more memories as a volunteer.
-Tina Podboy Laughner, Volunteer & Outreach Manager