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Linda Wenzel started July 1 as the new “aging and volunteer services coordinator” for the Rock County office of A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota.
That’s her job title, but to Wenzel, the position is more of a calling.
“I just feel like I’m serving the Lord through this,” she said. “It’s a joy.”
That’s a predictable response from the one who greets each day with gratitude.
“Every morning I recite things I’m grateful for,” Wenzel said.
Her job description carries a long list of responsibilities for the 28 hours a week required, but she essentially matches local needs with resources and finds volunteers to fill those needs.
For example, Monday started with a scramble to find volunteers for the Red Cross blood drive after long-time volunteer coordinator Delores Mulligan passed away unexpectedly.
Wenzel is also working to find new volunteers for the BackPack Program, which requires heavy lifting for the 15 to 18 totes of food that get delivered for backpacks.
A.C.E. stands for Advocate, Connect. Educate. The Rock County position is an expansion of the former Retired Senior Volunteer Services Program (RSVP) and now is responsible for the Caregiver Respite and Counseling program and the new dementia education component.
Wenzel said Greta Van Der Brink, who held the position for many years, is her inspiration.
“She could always find a way to get it done,” Wenzel said. “Where there was a will there was a way.”
She said the Sept. 11 A.C.E. volunteer appreciation event was an opportunity to thank the nearly 180 of the 411 senior volunteers who logged more than 46,000 hours in the past year.
“When you put that into a monetary perspective it is huge what these folks are giving to our community,” Wenzel said.
She has a long professional history of working with older individuals and said that’s what drew her to apply for this position.
“They’re the most wonderful generation — so appreciative,” Wenzel said. “They’re the generation we want to model ourselves after. They can bless us beyond anything this world can ever offer.”
Her previous position was activities director for Poplar Creek and The Oaks of the Good Samaritan Society. “It was senior care and home care, and I loved it,” Wenzel said.
She retired 2 ½ years ago to spend time with her mother, but when the A.C.E. position opened, she felt compelled to apply.
“I feel like it was God ordained,” she said. “I knew it was supposed to be. I just knew it.”
She said she’s also enjoying working with Lynette Hoiland who manages Senior Dining in the building attached to her office and with George Bonnema, Generations board president.
“These people are just wonderful to work with,” Wenzel said. “I am so blessed to be able serve in this job — and they pay me to do it.”
She said seniors are an inspiration to all ages.
“My biggest focus is helping our younger generation understand the importance of volunteering and the awesome opportunities out there,” she said.
“There’s so much potential for this community and so many volunteer opportunities.”
At 68, she admits she’s no spring chicken herself, but she’s had a good role model for longevity in the workforce.
“My mom worked well into her 90s, and I plan to do the same. And when I’m not working I’m going to be volunteering,” Wenzel said.
“We all need a purpose to get out of bed. When you are able to do it, you need to do it. … If you’re not giving of your time, you’re not growing.”
Wenzel can be reached at 507-283-5064. For more information about services offered through the Rock County office of A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota, visit Thankswww.aceswmn.org.