2019 City of Chandler Volunteer of the Year, Ginger Voltmer
Elizabeth Vaughan
Congratulations to Ginger Voltmer who has been named Volunteer of the Year in the “Sunbeam” category by the City of Chandler! Ginger has been a volunteer with Neighbors Who Care since 2016, and has become one of our most versatile and dependable resources. In addition to volunteering with her own homeowners association, she has performed over 180 direct services for homebound clients this year with Neighbors Who Care, contributing a great deal of her time and energy to our programs and special projects.
Her smile is contagious, and her positive attitude is inspiring. Ginger brandished that smile at every one of her 180 service appointments in 2019 which included 130 grocery trips. Sometimes this means buying and delivering groceries for a client, while some clients just need a ride to the store so they can shop for themselves. In either case, she provided 268 hours of volunteer service making sure they have the items they need, then staying a bit longer to help to unload the client’s groceries and properly restock their kitchen shelves.
Ginger also regularly drives Neighbors Who Care clients to medical appointments, which is our most-requested service. This can involve anything from taking a frail, homebound senior to a simple follow-up visit to a trip for lifesaving dialysis or chemotherapy treatments. Ginger is known for “going the extra mile” on these trips, waiting in the doctor’s lobby during the appointment or making additional stops for prescriptions on the way home.
Mrs. Voltmer is well known for her boundless enthusiasm. For two consecutive years, she has served on NWC’s fall fair planning committee. She has decorated, cooked, and even square danced in costume to entertain fairgoers. This year, she not only volunteered to handle all concessions for the fair, she inspired two family members to volunteer as well.
As if this weren’t enough, Ginger devotes one morning each week to answering phones at the Neighbors Who Care office. She helps to schedule transportation, in-home visits, respite care, and more for frail, homebound seniors in Sun Lakes and South Chandler. During 2019, Ginger gave Neighbors Who Care an additional 291 hours answering incoming phone calls from neighbors in need.
Ginger has a passion for service and a very, very big heart. She serves with a genuine smile, lighting up the room wherever she goes. Moreover, she is a marvelous baker, and regularly brings delicious treats to fellow volunteers and staff. She plans well, works hard, and always offers a smile or encouraging word. We are so proud of Ginger and all our stellar volunteers who contribute so much every day.
Ginger accepted her award at a breakfast hosted by the city at the Chandler Center for the Arts on February 6, and plans to display it proudly on her kitchen counter. Please join Neighbors Who Care as we honor Ginger Voltmer, 2019 Sunbeam Volunteer of the Year!