Moldaw Residents Give Back To Community Through Volunteerism

By GABRIELLE W (Star Patcher)

Many have heard, “It’s better to give than to receive,” and several residents of Palo Alto’s innovative retirement community Moldaw Residences believe that wholeheartedly. Since 2002, Helga Newman has been volunteering at a local Food Closet, a supplemental grocery program which serves hundreds of local residents in need. She originally got involved more than a decade ago when Beverly Bogart, now also a Moldaw resident, suggested that she help distribute food there. Newman eventually became a board member and has continued to volunteer once a month – with other fellow residents of Moldaw such as Joyce Tavrow. All the resident volunteers are dedicated to giving back to their community in multiple ways. They understand that regardless of how simple the task may seem when volunteering, a significant impact can be made on the lives of those involved.

“Volunteerism has always been important to me but is something I began to have more time for after I stopped working,” said Newman. “I volunteered reading to kids in local schools and raised my own children to realize the importance of helping others as well. Now I go once a month to help distribute food at the Food Closet nearby and am on call to go more often than that if additional help is needed.”

At the Food Closet, Newman and Tavrow are typically responsible for helping verify that the recipients are registered to receive food. They read through lists of food options available with recipients to determine what they prefer or are able to use. Availability often depend on what has been donated to the distribution center. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a special treat. Periodically, Moldaw Residences organizes collections of canned goods to take to the Food Closet, which has been a way to get other residents involved even if they do not go in person to assist in the distribution.

“Volunteering is just something I’ve always done to give back in small ways to the community in which I feel fortunate to live,” said Newman. “It is a heartwarming experience to help others and see the genuine appreciation expressed by them. That is what I have enjoyed about my time volunteering at the Food Closet – interacting with the people who are very grateful for what is offered to them. It is a humbling interaction and provides insight into others’ situations.”

Joyce Tavrow agrees that volunteering is an important way to contribute to the community and can be as simple as giving of one’s time and energy to provide assistance at a place like the Food Closet. Most often, the entire process is as rewarding to the person offering the help as it is to the person receiving the help.

“Ultimately, I just show up and help as much as I can,” said Tavrow. “Giving back provides a lot of satisfaction and keeps me active and busy in retirement in a positive and productive way. In addition, seeing how appreciative the people are makes it a worthwhile experience.”

Giving of her time and energy seems to come naturally to Tavrow. For 20 years while in San Diego, she was a volunteer ombudsman for senior living communities and spent time weekly visiting with, listening to concerns of and advocating to the management on behalf of many senior residents. Additionally, as a member of the League of Women Voters for 57 years, Tavrow continues to analyze election ballot measures and make unbiased presentations to interested groups.

“I enjoy staying both physically and mentally active,” said Tavrow. “I don’t pressure others to volunteer, but I utilize my own time in different ways to give back in different ways and personally have benefited from so doing.”

“We are always encouraged and inspired to see the residents here at Moldaw, like Helga Newman and Joyce Tavrow, dedicating their time to help others in the community at large,” said Darren Trisel, interim executive director at Moldaw Residences. “It is a good reminder for all of us to seek opportunities to give back and use our personal time, talents and passions to make a positive difference in the world around us.”