CARVING OUT A SPACE TO HELP OTHERS

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Steven Thares. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Steven Thares describes himself as a jack of all trades, master of none. But if there’s one thing he’s mastered, it’s volunteering. After losing his wife when she was just 50, Steven realized he needed to do something with his hands to pass the time. He dedicated himself to woodworking and found great joy in making things. Already a member of his local adult community center, Steven offered to help change an old toilet paper dispenser in the women’s bathroom that would have likely required a lengthy wait time from the maintenance department. When the team realized how handy he was, Steven got to put his passion for woodworking to use. A set of dilapidated benches was almost unusable for the center’s community, and Steven took the opportunity to transform them, creating a safe spot for seniors to wait for the bus. But he didn’t stop there. Every time something needs a little work done around the senior center, Steven jumps into action, putting his positive attitude to work by helping others.

Steven doesn’t limit himself to strictly woodworking jobs, however. He helps host community center events at a local restaurant, serving and mixing drinks for guests, and calling bingo numbers at the weekly game. Of course, Steven’s projects have culminated in his most exciting project yet: working on the community center’s library. With very little direction, Steven is hard at work creating a shelving system that will store everything from books to puzzles and serve as a home base for the center’s thriving book club. A true self-starter, Steven is creating something incredible out of the kindness of his heart.

Steven’s experience is a great example of how important it is to stay active throughout life. When asked why he continues to volunteer at the senior center, he says taking care of things around there just makes him feel good. His willingness to step outside of his comfort zone and use his skills to help others is a beautiful example of how volunteering can change the world for the better.

What inspires you to volunteer?

My wife passed away at age 50, and I was 51. I just had to do something with my hands. I worked nine more years, and then at age 60, I had to go out with medical disability. Now that gave me a whole seven days a week to do stuff, and I just mentioned to them at the senior center that if they needed something done, let me know, and I’d do it.

What inspired you to get started with this initiative?

I had just joined the senior center maybe a couple of months earlier, and I was watching two guys outside by a squirrel feeder. I went out because I’ve always worked with wood, amateur-wise. I saw these two gentlemen out there talking, and I told them I’d make them a new squirrel feeder. After that, the site coordinator for the senior center asked me if I could do anything about their two benches that they had that were really worn and needed to be redone. I took them home and took them apart, sanded them, re-stained them and put them back together, and everybody was wowed. I went to do the ones in the front, and they were so rotten that I was afraid that they would break. I talked with the site coordinator, and we decided to make two more benches for the front. People just kept on telling me how happy they were that I was going around doing this stuff, because they really needed it.

Tell us about your volunteer role with the Adult Community Center.

I got started in there doing little fix-me-ups. My first job there was taking out an old toilet paper dispenser that should have been taken out when they redid the women’s bathroom. Now, they’ll come up with something for me to do. I’ll go in to do activities there, and I’ll do anything with wood. I also help on Thursdays, doing the program at a restaurant across from us, mixing drinks. I help set up for bingo every week. This winter, I’ve been trying to design a shelving unit for a library.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

Seeing the change and the people. I didn’t really expect it, but people went on their way to tell me that the benches are so nice. Seeing the response from the people and reflecting on my own skills. Doing something with my hands, I think, is the most satisfying. That I actually produce something that people want.

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.

Making the library. It’s going to be more decorative. This one will have a trim around the top, which is the fancy type of the way the wood is made. People bring in books, and other people will look through the books and take them home to read. We have a book club that meets once a month. They pick out a particular book, and then they discuss it at the club. They can just get a book there, go home and read it, and then bring it back so somebody else can read it. We’ve also had so many puzzles donated to us.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

Because if we don’t, who will? Everybody can use some help, whether it’s an hour a week or an hour a month.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Be brave. You want to volunteer for something? Go up to the person and say you’d like to volunteer to do whatever you feel like doing. We have volunteers at the hospice houses who volunteer to take care of the lawns so the staff doesn’t have to worry about mowing. You have to put yourself out there and talk to people and see who’s having trouble. Can we put together a group and go in and clean a senior’s house for them on a Saturday once a month? You’ve got to put yourself out there. You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I want them to learn that it’s never too late to do something you love. Just because you can’t do it full-time doesn’t mean you can’t do it. It doesn’t matter what age you are. It’s your attitude of wanting to help. That’s what I’m trying to get across to people. Don’t be afraid to go out and show yourself.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Steven? Find local volunteer opportunities.