Concordia Celebrates National Volunteer Month 2019: Linda Vowles

Celebrating the Incredible Ways Concordia Volunteers Give to Others

April is National Volunteer Month, which is a time to celebrate the remarkable ways Concordia volunteers serve our residents, patients and families every day. With the helping hands of our volunteers, many more lives are filled with joy, fellowship and inspiration. Each week for the month of April, we’ll introduce you to a volunteer whose acts of service have touched many lives. This week, Concordia at Sumner volunteer Linda Vowles shares her story.

A volunteer at Concordia for nearly four years, Linda’s time with the organization began after her retirement from teaching. She was introduced to Concordia while working as the Director of Ministries for her church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Akron, Ohio and was invited to join the Louise Sumner Board at Concordia at Sumner.

“I volunteered with many different nursing homes and health care facilities and came across Concordia,” Linda said. “It’s great, I love working with the residents – they’re so gracious and kind.”

Each week on Tuesdays and some Saturdays Linda helps with bingo. She assists residents with games and helps wherever needed. Bringing smiles to many faces, Linda noted that the residents never fail to bring a smile to her own.

“I always leave thinking I take more than I give,” Linda said.

Aside from volunteering at Concordia, she spends her remaining free time helping at other outside hospice care locations.

“The residents and the families are wonderful,” she remarked. “I consider it a privilege to be able to volunteer and help people through a difficult time.”

In addition to serving others, Linda enjoys painting, cooking, designing her own greeting cards and spending time with her grandchildren.

“I love crafting and my grandchildren enjoy it too,” she said. “Sometimes I’ll bring in things for the residents for bingo games and activities. It’s a wonderful feeling to be able to make someone else happy.”

Born in Erie, Pennsylvania Linda moved to New Franklin, Ohio and worked as an elementary educator for 20 years.

“I just enjoy spending quality time with people,” Linda said. “My favorite part about volunteering is the friendships I’ve made over the years. I recommend it to everyone.”

For more information about our mission and volunteer opportunities at any of our senior care locations in Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio or Tampa, Florida visit concordialm.org or call our administrative headquarters at: (724) 352-1571.