We Serve!
That's the mission of Lions Club International. But it's also the personal motto of Ralph and Joyce Myers, who devote their lives to helping others.
They are members of the Paddock Lake Lions Club, of course, but their devotion to volunteerism goes so much further. Whether the call comes from a civic, church or social service organization, the Bristol couple is always ready to help.
"We love doing it," says Ralph. "The reward is to be able to help someone who needs it."
Ralph, 66, has been volunteering at Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, Inc. (KAFASI) for four years, ever since he retired from his teaching career.
Six days a week, he drives for the Volunteer Escort Driver Program, taking dialysis patients to their appointments. On two of those days, he arises at 4:45 a.m. to get a client to St. Catherine's Hospital for a 6 o'clock appointment.
"I've been driving one man to his treatment for three years," says Ralph.
Joyce, 65, still works in the library at Bristol Grade School, but helps out when school is not in session.
Since some appointments, such as dialysis, last several hours, drivers work in teams. One driver takes the patient to the appointment, another makes the return trip.
At least once a week, Ralph coordinates patient drop off with driving a route for Meals on Wheels, another KAFASI program.
Ralph and Joyce say volunteering is in their blood. Both came from families with a strong tradition of helping others. Their long list of volunteering includes the activities of Bristol United Methodist Church, Kenosha County Fair, and local 4-H groups.
Ralph is the son of the late Wallace and Evelyn Myers. A lifelong resident of Kenosha County, he spent his working years teaching junior high math and physical education at Paris Consolidated School.
Joyce is the daughter of Linnea and the late Edward Olson. Her mother still lives across the street from the Myers home and continues her own volunteer activity, knitting caps for babies born at local hospitals.
Ralph and Joyce have been married for 44 years. Their family includes five grown children, Marcia, Melissa, Jeff, Jim and Jerry and 11 grandchildren.
As members of the Paddock Lake Area Lions, Ralph and Joyce are Kenosha County coordinators for the Lions eye bank transport team of about 20 people.
When an eye donor dies at a local hospital, they are immediately alerted. The donated eyes are driven to the eye bank in Madison in relays, with the Myers driving the Kenosha to Burlington link. Since time is of the essence, it is not unusual for them to get a call in the middle of the night.
The Myers are ardent supporters of organ donation and urge friends and family to make their wishes known to family members. Everyone needs to be in complete agreement to make the donation happen, says Joyce.
As part of her job, Joyce coaches the Bristol Grade School team as the students prepare for the annual Battle of the Books in March. She reads all 41 books on the "Battle" list, and writes the questions that help students prepare for the contest.
"I love kids and I love books, so it's a natural for me," says Joyce.
Volunteers like the Myers are critical to KAFASI operations, says Dana Tehako-Esser, the organization's volunteer services coordinator. And right now, there is an acute need for drivers for the Volunteer Escort Driver Program. Many Kenosha residents in the city and the rest of the county need transportation to and from dialysis treatment at St. Catherine's Hospital.
Volunteers also drive patients to cancer treatment at various locations in Kenosha and Milwaukee.
Tehako-Esser says volunteer drivers use their own vehicles and are reimbursed 35 cents per mile.
Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer escort driver or about other volunteer opportunities through KAFASI may call her at 262-658-3508 ext. 120 or e-mail at volunteer@kafasi.org.
