Volunteer in the spotlight

Stop by our office on Tuesdays and you will be inspired to roll up your sleeves and get to work for Habitat. Vida will be sitting at the front desk with a smile on her face. She is never idle. If we don't have a project for her she will be reading a book that she promptly puts down to answer the phone. She has rarely missed a dedication or groundbreaking and has an infectious vitality that inspires everyone who comes in contact with her. She freely talks "Habitat" and is quick to mention us when interviewed by local media. Vida is one of our best public relation champions.

Vida was 78 when she started volunteering at Bend Area Habitat for Humanity. During those years she served on the Selection and Partnership Committee and worked on numerous construction sites doing clean up and acting as the "gofer". She loved the "hands on" aspect of volunteering for Habitat and took it to a new level in working with one of her families. This particular family did not have the skills to manage and clean a home. Vida felt that she could help the family best by teaching the wife/mother how to run a household. Each week Vida went to the home and showed the young mother what to do to keep her new home clean and safe for her children. That is indeed time above what could be expected.

One can't replicate commitment of heart; yet, if every affiliate had exemplary volunteers like Vida, there would be no scarcity of resources. Vida pledges monthly, and she gives even more when a need is revealed. She considers Habitat in all her financial decisions and is unstoppable in giving of her time and talents. She may give a check from her bank account but she writes it from her heart.

Who would have thought that a 78 year-old woman of modest means, dressed in blue jeans and a bolo tie would become one of our major donors and longstanding volunteers?

The Volunteer Spotlight is on Vida because she has taught us to never give up, keep busy, pay attention to other's needs and always give more than is expected.

Thanks Vida!

2004 Central Oregon Volunteer of the Year!

Bend Area Habitat for Humanity (BAHfH) knows that Vida Ray is a special lady. Now all of Central Oregon knows it too.

On May 6, Vida Ray, 93, was named the 2004 Adult Volunteer of the Year by the Network of Volunteer Administrators (NOVA). She was chosen from a pool of 13 nominees from Central Oregon non-profit service agencies. She was recognized for her long-standing and generous commitment to families in Bend in need of affordable housing.

Dennis Luke, Deschutes County Commissioner presented the award and was one of 10 judges that made the selection. "It was a very difficult choice to make" he said.

Vida is a charter member of Bend Area Habitat for Humanity and still volunteers every Tuesday. On the day of the awards banquet, Vida completed a four mile hike with her weekly hiking group and still managed come to the celebration and charm everyone with her sparkle and vigor. Chuck Tucker, Executive at BAHfH stated that "Vida is a role model, she keeps us going."