St. Petersburg Seniors Helping Seniors

ST. PETERSBURG – Perhaps no single entity in St. Petersburg offers more programs and services for the community’s senior population than the Sunshine Center, at 330 Fifth St. N. 

It’s no wonder the Sunshine Center became the first senior center in Florida to be nationally accredited for its comprehensive programming to the city’s older citizens. 

Of course, delivering quality services, including consistently adding new ones, to meet the changing needs of seniors using the Sunshine Center is always a challenge. Thanks to a culture focused on volunteer support, the center has been able to deliver its services. 

Of course, to keep that culture flourishing there is always a need for volunteers, said Adult Volunteer Coordinator Ronnie Villano, who oversees volunteers at the Sunshine Center.  

And, at the moment, she says, those needs are in three main areas: the fitness center, the computer lab and the retail shop.

According to Ronnie, those seniors who volunteer at the Sunshine Center have discovered it to be a wonderful experience.  And volunteers we talked to certainly feel that way.  Here’s what a few of them had to say: 

• Fitness Center Volunteer Maria Mastrantonio, 83: “What I like about this place is the wonderful exercise machines.  I work out here all the time. I spend up to an hour at a time just on the treadmill.  I have been here since the first day the fitness center opened and now enjoy working as a volunteer in helping others learn how to use the equipment properly. I like to be with people so being in the fitness center as a volunteer works for me.”  

• Sunshine Center Chorus/Bingo “Caller”/ Café’ Volunteer Millie Reynolds, 71: “When my husband died I was going through hard times but the people here, both the other volunteers and staff, helped me greatly in getting through it.  The people here are like family to me.”  Millie says she spends about six hours a day Monday through Friday working in the café, but she loves every minute of it because she enjoys being around people. 

• Desk Receptionist/Café’/Special Events Volunteer Clara White, 83: “I have been a volunteer at the Sunshine Center for seven years and I help wherever they need me.  I do this because being active helps me feel young. I also meet a lot of nice people.”

And, what do patrons of the Sunshine Center have to say about the volunteers who serve in one way or another when they visit this popular senior venue? 

Perhaps Sarah Citrone, a regular at the center said it best, “All of the volunteers here are great.  This is definitely the best place in town for seniors.” 

To become a volunteer at the Sunshine Center, orientation training is required for all positions.  In addition, a background check will be done before you can actually begin your volunteer work. For more information and to get an application, please contact Ronnie Villano at (727) 893-7622 or via e-mail: Veronica.Villano@stpete.org.