Volunteers step in to make difference in community
UNITED WAY HUNDREDS SERVE FOR DAY

BY SUSAN SIMPSON

Published: October 4, 2008

Moline Smith admits she’s quite the talker, so she was pleased Friday morning when Federal Aviation Administration workers volunteered to spend time with her and other patients at an Easter Seals adult day center as part of United Way’s Days of Caring.

It turns out the 91-year-old is also quite the dancer. Despite a yearlong recovery from a broken hip, Smith jumped to her feet for a line dance exercise with the group.

"Step slide, step slide, now back to the left,” she murmured aloud to the beat.

Corey Johnson, activity director for the Easter Seal center, told the patients that the FAA employees were there to play music, lead games and eat pizza with them.

"They didn’t have to be here,” he said. "They wanted to be here. That’s why they are called volunteers.”

Patient Frances Palmer clapped her hands together and exclaimed "Well, bless your heart!”

Volunteer Larry Manous said he had no hesitation about helping out.

"At some point everybody needs help,” he said. "I’m a firm believer that you reap what you sow.”

More than 800 people signed up for the annual project of the United Way of Central Oklahoma. Teams from companies, government agencies, colleges and Boy Scouts are working on 57 projects at nonprofit agencies.

Activities range from reading to children to landscaping and painting.

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