Meet the Volunteer

Leiara, 23, and Gordon, 90, have what might be considered a surprising friendship. They met when Leiara, a Charity Guild volunteer, started making home deliveries to Gordon.

Now, they celebrate birthdays together, talk about their shared interests, and Leiara enjoys helping Gordon out whenever she can.

A U.S. military veteran, Gordon isn’t able to get out to a grocery store or to our Main Street walkup pantry. He benefits from our home delivery program, which brings fresh food to senior citizens and the homebound about once a month.

Leiara got involved with The Charity Guild over a year ago through her longtime friend Amber, Program Coordinator at The Charity Guild.

At first, Leiara would drop off food for Gordon like many other homes: a smile and a wave, maybe a quick conversation. Those short conversations turned longer and longer, and Gordon and Leiara came to really look forward to their visits.

“We bonded the more I would go. I work in the sheet metal union and he used to do metal fabrication, so we would talk about that,” said Leiara.

Over time, the two have formed a friendship that goes beyond the Guild. During the heavy storms this winter, Gordon called Leiara to share his worry that if there was an emergency, no one would be able to get to him. She went over right away to shovel him out.

Leiara drops by from time to time for lunch, bringing treats for Gordon’s dog and even a souvenir from her vacation to St. Croix.

“He’s a very joyful person,” Leiara shared.

And joy is what we all hope to share every day.