MILTON — Barbara Moravek spends a majority of her time both volunteering and planning adventures with David, her husband of 36 years. She said they’ve camped across America twice and are planning a drive into Canada and up through Alaska this year.
A native of Bagdad, Moravek said when she retired from Jay School cafeteria, she put her mind to making a difference volunteering.
“I’ve helped out in many places. I learned points of wisdom over the years: don’t talk about religion or politics and you’ll keep your friends. The second is you have to crawl before you walk in life. In order to appreciate the good times, you have to have bad times.”
Her volunteer work at the Guy Thompson Community Center includes the Senior Expo, Back to School Bash, Christmas parade and bingo. She tries to attend most programs and finds good deals on groceries and donates them.
“I do like finding a good deal,” she laughs.
Joe Paschal, city senior program coordinator at Guy Thompson Community Center said Moravek is a valuable senior volunteer.
“Barbara is an active volunteer, part of the the senior activity committee who is dedicated to the program," he said. "Not only is she a volunteer, she’s selfless. She donates items, (drinks, food, prizes) for different activities. Her enthusiasm is an asset to both seniors and staff at the Guy Thompson Community Center. We are pleased she is the senior spotlight for the month of June.”
Moravek also volunteers with the Council on Aging, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, local nursing homes and food banks.
“I try to do things where no one knows I’m doing them. That’s the best blessing,” she said. “I have a lot to be thankful for. I’ve had an adventurous life and I’ve still got a long way to go."
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Senior spotlight: an adventurous volunteer