Sometimes simply walking in the door is a calling. Cathy Orton came to The Center from Texas over 6 years ago. She originally joined as a member of The Center with her Mother-in-Law to play cards. She quickly became involved in many aspects of the organization.
Along with her husband, Doug, they started delivering Meals on Wheels weekly and often delivered meals as a substitute when volunteers were not able to cover their route. Cathy's next interest was Bingo, where she can be found either taking money as the cashier or calling the winning numbers. Cathy is a person of many talents; she also wanted to help with other meals and events at The Center. She is often seen pouring coffee, delivering extra pancakes and visiting with people, making them feel welcome.
Cathy has been serving on The Center’s Board of Directors for two years and chairs The Center’s Activities Committee. Cathy is always available when asked and she is willing to do just about anything. Cathy volunteers nearly 1,000 hours a year at The Center doing evening meals, bingo, Meals on Wheels, pricing for the rummage sale, preparing for upcoming activities, decorating for holidays and so much more.
Kriss Thury, Executive Director at The Center, said, “Cathy came to our organization to have fun and meet new people. What she found is that she not only met new people but realized the need many non-profits have, and that is the need for volunteers. She jumped at the chance to be able to make an impact on many individuals. Cathy is a breath of fresh air to The Center. She is well liked by staff, members and other volunteers. We appreciate all her efforts to make The Center shine.”
Because of her commitment to making The Center an attractive place to be, United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton was honored to present Cathy Orton with the August 2024 Volunteer of the Month Award.
We asked Cathy to share more about her volunteerism, in her own words:
I have lived here in the Greater Yankton area since we moved to Yankton from Texas in July of 2015.
I began my volunteering in McAllen, Texas as a young woman teaching young girls at Calvary Baptist Church. Most of my volunteer work was in the Clear Lake City, Texas area up to 2015. My favorite organization there was Project Joy & Hope of Pasadena, Texas that helped children and their families with housing while they were there with a child with life limiting illnesses.
The Center is the main organization I volunteer for at this time. I deliver Meals on Wheels every Tuesday of the week with my husband. Additionally, I am either Cashier or Call for Bingo on Tuesdays and Friday, I organize the Rummage Sale each year, I am Chairman of the Activity Committee. I have been a Member of the Board of Directors for the past two + years. I do anything they need to try to help.
Approximate hours per year that I volunteer: I have not kept track of the hours I volunteer, but if I had to guess I would say 800 to 1000 a year.
Volunteer work is enjoyable because it makes me feel that I am able to make a difference in my community and bring a smile to someone in need. It also has helped with my confidence and it has also brought a lot of wonderful friends I can count on.
My best volunteer experience was Meals on Wheels. Bringing food to those that cannot get out, chatting some and making sure they are doing well. But most of all leaving them with a smile and me with joy in my heart.
The advice I would give to those thinking about getting out there and volunteering in their communities is volunteering is the best way to bring personal growth and confidence. But the most wonderful part is the people you bring a smile to fills your heart with such joy and happiness.
Thank you, Cathy, for all you do! To learn more about local volunteer opportunities or to nominate someone for United Way’s Volunteer of the Month Award, please visit www.yanktonunitedway.org/volunteer, email info@yanktonunitedway.org, or call United Way of Greater Yankton at (605) 665-6766.
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