When Barb Raiman died earlier in September, she left a legacy of giving, of helping, of volunteering wherever she saw a need. Family and friends remember her as the person they could count on.
Throughout her life, volunteerism played an important role for Barb, said her daughter, Kyle Harvey. Even though she worked a fulltime job, she was always ready and willing to help out at school and in Girl Scout activities.
"She was a very special lady," her daughter said, "always looking at the bright side! And anything I needed, I could always call Mom."
At the Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, Inc. (KAFASI) offices, where in more recent years so much of her volunteerism was focused, she was a regular. She spent so many volunteer hours at KAFASI headquarters at 7730 Sheridan Road that some employees thought she was part of the paid staff.
"When I started here seven years ago, Barb would always be in the office in the morning and she would stay until afternoon," said Janette Jones, a KAFASI office assistant. "For the longest time, I thought she was an employee. I was shocked when I found out she was a volunteer."
Darlene Coleman, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) director, described Barb as "a human dynamo." She remembers her for her love of music and her work with the RSVP Chorus, a group she created and directed.
Her only requirement for aspiring chorus members was that they had a love of singing. But she insisted that every singer memorize the lyrics; no cheat sheets with the words to the songs were allowed.
Volunteerism was in her blood. Her list of volunteer assignments was long and varied. Besides leading the RSVP Chorus, she edited the RSVP newsletter, called BINGO numbers for Senior Action Council, handled clerical work for three KAFASI programs, performed computer entry duties at Jane Vernon Elementary School, served as a courier for Visiting Nurses and worked the Crisis Line at Pathways of Courage.
She was always among the first to sign up for "Walk for the Health of It," sponsored by KAFASI. When poor health forced her to use a motorized scooter, she mobilized the "We Try Harder Team" and continued to collect support and money for the cause.
While recovering at home from a heart operation, Coleman remembers, Barb wrote funny, touching stories about the trials and tribulations of dealing with the aftermath of bypass surgery. She wrote stories about how she adjusted to life with her power scooter.
"Her stories were powerful, but funny, and from the heart," recalled Coleman.
Jones, too, remembered Barb's recovery from heart surgery.
"She woke up from surgery singing, "It's a Good Day for Singing a Song!"
Beginning in 1997, Raiman served as RSVP's volunteer coordinator. When volunteers were needed for some special event, she just got on the phone and started calling people, remembered Rose Cerda-Perez, program assistant. When Barb was no longer able to get to the agency's office, she worked the phones from home.
She loved to play BINGO, Cerda-Perez said, and frequently led van-loads of friends to Milwaukee to play.
Last spring, KAFASI honored Raiman by engraving her name on a brick at Eichelman Park's Volunteer Vista. Because of her declining health, Barb was unable to attend the ceremony, but Jones photographed the engraved brick in its place of honor, and presented the photo to her in the hospital.
Dana Tehako-Esser, KAFASI volunteer services coordinator, said when Raiman was nominated for that honor, Barb replied:
"It is always great to be needed and the smile and a thank you go a long way toward peace of mind and contentment.”
If you would like to carry on a legacy of volunteering like Barb, please contact Dana Tehako-Esser, volunteer services coordinator, at 262-658-3508 ext. 120 to learn more about volunteerism through KAFASI.
