Selflessness Rules The Day

Every Tuesday, a cheerful face can be seen bustling through the hallways of Mystic Valley Elder Services. Margaret, age 80, of Wakefield has been an office volunteer at MVES for the past two years. When asked why she volunteers for MVES she explains, “I enjoy the work and it gets me out of the house."

Born and raised in Oregon, Margaret moved to the East Coast in 1946 after she married. Nine years ago, after she retired from her career as a secretary, she moved to Wakefield to be close to her two daughters. The MVES office volunteer opportunity was a good match with Margaret’s administrative skills. She helps all departments at MVES with tasks such as photocopying, stuffing envelopes, and preparing information packets about MVES services. “Margaret is a dedicated volunteer whose good cheer and hard work make her an important part of MVES,” said Sean Maney, director of marketing and public relations, who benefits from Margaret’s efforts.

Recently, Margaret did more than donate her time to MVES. When her lottery/raffle number was chosen as the grand prize in the May drawing of the MVES 1000 Club, she received her $1000 winnings from MVES and promptly turned around and donated the entire check back to the MVES Elder Independence Fund. This fund is used to meet urgent needs of local elders that cannot be met through other existing programs. “I wanted the money to be used wherever it is most needed,” says Margaret, “I am fortunate that I don’t need this money and others can benefit from it.”

Margaret was a lucky lady to have her MVES 1000 Club number drawn as the winner in May. But, MVES is luckier to have such a wonderful and generous woman associated with the agency.

More information about the MVES Elder Independence Fund or how to join the MVES 1000 Club can be found here.