Every Statistic Has a Story!

Paul

For years, Paul, a proud veteran, faced one setback after another, and without a Social Security card or Alien Resident card, he couldn’t receive benefits or find work. Those missing documents kept him stuck, no matter how hard he tried. Then he met our Operation: Veteran Connect volunteers.

Together, they worked to remove this barrier, and today, Paul finally holds both cards in his hands and is ready to start his new job. As he put it, “Seniors in Service gave me the ‘A’ team — and they got it done!”

Ms. Litz & Grandma Myrna

“God must really love me to send me a grandma like Ms. Myrna. I just simply love her,” shared Mrs. Litz, an elementary school teacher in Hillsborough County.

Grandma Myrna’s support goes far beyond academics — she’s a comforting, steady presence who makes even the hardest days brighter. When Mrs. Litz was diagnosed with cancer, Grandma Myrna encouraged her through every step of treatment, offering support, comfort, and even homemade remedies.

Mrs. Litz lovingly calls her “a celebrity in the classroom.” Students greet her with pure excitement each morning.

Carmen

Carmen is a Senior Companion with a gift for listening — and for drawing. Each time she visits a homebound senior, she brings her sketchbook. As they share memories and pieces of their lives, Carmen quietly captures their stories in gentle sketches.

Her visits give seniors the chance to see their cherished memories honored and beautifully remembered.

Nancy

Nancy needed a 100-mile round trip for a treatment that involved anesthesia. She shared, “I couldn’t have done this without the Companion Transportation volunteers. Knowing someone cared enough to take me all that way, it meant everything.”

Joan

When Joan joined Health Buddies, she’d visited the ER 10 times in 3 months. At first, she was hesitant to talk to her Health Buddy, Ella, saying, “Young people don’t always understand what it’s like to live like this.”

But as Ella consistently called and truly listened, Joan opened up about her struggles with food insecurity and connected with resources she hadn’t known existed.

“There were days when I didn’t know what I would eat. Now, I have help and a new friend,” she shared.

After 12 weeks, Joan had only gone to the ER twice — and her mental health improved dramatically, showing how compassionate connection can transform a person’s well-being.

Margie & Ron

Margie and Ron are indispensable members of the volunteer team at Florida Food Force in Pasco County. Week after week, they help provide hundreds of families with nutritious meals, making a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling to put food on the table.

Shirley

Shirley volunteers each week at ECHO’s Resource Center in Brandon, helping struggling families find the clothing they need to feel confident and dignified as they work to rebuild their lives.

Her dedication brings comfort, hope, and a sense of normalcy to those facing challenging times.