Behind Every Smile Is a Story

Inspirational Stories

St. Pete Honors Exceptional Service of Senior Volunteers

A birds-eye view of auditorium during the 2023 City of St. Petersburg’s Senior Hall of Fame award ceremony.

Service leaves a lasting mark on a community — and this year, the City of St. Petersburg recognized three Seniors in Service volunteers whose compassion and dedication continue to change lives every day. From welcoming neighbors at a food pantry to preparing meals for hungry families and guiding others through difficult moments, Wiloan Leaks, Violet Prepost, and Gerald Munger embody the spirit of service honored by the Senior Hall of Fame.

Every year, the Senior Hall of Fame celebrates exceptional St. Petersburg volunteers, recognizing their valuable contributions to enriching lives. The Senior Hall of Fame's legacy is to uphold and cultivate appreciation for these extraordinary individuals. Seniors in Service volunteers Wiloan Leaks, Violet Prepost, and Gerald Munger were honored as nominees for this prestigious award.

Wiloan "Ms. Peaches" Leaks, a longtime Mercy Keepers volunteer, welcomes guests with a warm smile while serving the St. Petersburg community.

Wiloan Leaks or “Ms. Peaches” as our volunteer family refers to her, is a selfless and endearing member of the St. Pete community who is never seen without a smile. Ms. Leaks has been volunteering at Mercy Keepers since 2012 and her smiling face is the first thing guests see when entering the pantry. Ms. Leaks shines as a community expert helping those in need to feel safe and comfortable when receiving services. When people stop in, looking for help, she's ready to answer and lead the way, connecting them to the right resources.

Violet Prepost, a dedicated Seniors in Service volunteer, is recognized for her exceptional service supporting families through the Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry.

Violet Prepost may be small in stature, but she is large in personality, and the impact she makes on the St. Pete community every day can only be described as marvelous. Ms. Prepost joined Seniors in Service in 2022 and serves at the Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry. Ms. Prepost volunteers her time to stock shelves, cook food, and make sure no stomach is left hungry and no back is left unclothed. Every week, for the past two years, she cooks 108 eggs and 96 hot dogs to make sure everyone hungry gets fed. Last year she dedicated 1,192 hours to volunteering at the food pantry.

Gerald Munger is a leader and inspirational member of the St. Pete community. Mr. Munger has also been serving at Trinity Lutheran Church Food Pantry since 2022. As the Hot Lunch Program Coordinator, he helps lead other volunteers to keep the program running smoothly and make sure everyone who is hungry gets fed. Mr. Munger's motivation to bring the hot meals program to the church has inspired others in the community to do the same.

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Amy Manning

Amy Manning

Outreach and Communications Manager

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