Testimonials
Verne
"Verne “was born the same year that Henry Ford made his first car.” An extraordinary volunteer, he has seen Help grow and prosper. “I was on the Board and inherited the presidency when the president-elected died before his inauguration.” He starred on the Meals on Wheels team. “I must have delivered more than fifteen thousand meals during my twenty years at it.” Verne gets a lot of pleasure from participating. “Don’t think I could have made it through solitary retirement without Help of Ojai. Makes me feel like I am contributing to the best organized volunteer organization in the State."
Sally
"Sally was married to her late husband Howard for fifty-nine years. “He was a pitcher for the Chicago Clubs farm team and didn’t tell me he liked to dance until we had been married three years.” Both Sally and Howard worked at Help. “Howard developed the Senior Security Patrol and I started Sewing with Sally”. She’s very proud of her twenty-five years of service. “You feel like you really matter. And you meet a lot of wonderful people, some of whom become your good friends. When my girl call and can’t find me, they call Little House … and there I am."
Joyce
"A former world traveler, Joyce is a volunteer more days of the week that she’s not. The Music Festival, the Ventura Country Museum and Help of Ojai are the beneficiaries of her talents. “I can’t stand to sit still. Heaven’s to Betsy, I’m so fortunate that I can do whatever I want.” We asked how she might entice someone to be a volunteer. She thought long and hard. “Oh my gosh, I don’t know how they can not volunteer, can you” I mean, what are they doing with themselves? They’ve got to get out and be with people and have purpose. What in the world would I do if I didn’t come here?"
Fred
"His quiet demeanor and laid back manner of speaking belie a competitive spirit, probably gained in Fred’s twenty-nine years of coaching high school basketball. “I drove the Help bus for nineteen and one-half years until my rotator cuff gave out. I was trying to get twenty because I didn’t think anybody had ever done that.” New he drives Meals on Wheels. “You know how it feels good to help somebody. It’s a little selfish too. I don’t think a day goes by where someone doesn’t really thank me. It’s fun to be part of this team."