Name: Margo Scannell Hometown: Charlestown/Boston, MA DOB: Jan. 29, 1942 Title: Office Manager at the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce How long have you been volunteering? Scannell started volunteering with the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce and the Gulfport Senior Center 12 years ago. What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “I had retired and recently widowed, and I saw an add in The Gabber that they needed volunteers. I thought, we’ll I’ll go see what this is about, I had some free time.” What do you like about volunteering? “Meeting people and getting a sense of accomplishment, from …

Name: Michael Argrew Hometown: Gulfport Birthday: Nov. 12, 1948 Title: Volunteer for the Clothing Swap at the Tuesday Fresh Market. How long have you been volunteering? Second time at the Clothing Swap What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? It gives me something to do. What do you like about volunteering? Helping people and it gives me something to do. How often do you volunteer? Once a month at the Clothing Swap and weekly for ASAP (services for HIV/AIDS) What keeps you interested in volunteering? Meeting people and giving back. What do you like about Gulfport? Everything. …

Name: Mignon Ardiff Hometown: St. Petersburg Birthday: Jan. 28 Title: Volunteer at St. Vincent's Episcopal Thrift Shop How long have you been volunteering? 10 years What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? "I go to St. Vincent's and one day the shop manager at the time asked me to help." What do you like about volunteering? "The people... the customers are so delightful." How often do you volunteer? Once a week What keeps you interested in volunteering? "The people and the things donated are fascinating." What do you like about Gulfport? "I like Gulfport because it's so charming. …

Name: Florence Moon Hometown: Chicago Birthday: February 20 Title: Volunteer at the Gulfport Senior Center How long have you been volunteering? a couple of months What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? "I come here five days per week and I enjoy being with the people." What do you like about volunteering? "It gets you talking with people and getting/sharing suggestions and points of view." How often do you volunteer? Once a week What keeps you interested in volunteering? "Just being here, seeing different people, meeting new friends." What do you like about Gulfport? "The senior …

Name: Jacqueline Brown Hometown: St. Petersburg Birthday: August 18 Title: Volunteer at the Gulfport Public Library How long have you been volunteering? Since 2009. What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? "I love the library. I love reading. Every school I attended, I always went to the library." What do you like about volunteering? Giving back to the community. How often do you volunteer? About once a week. What keeps you interested in volunteering? "The books, the people. Everyone here is so friendly. They are really, good people to be around and escape from the busy life. I …

Name: Doris Love Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL Birthday: August Title: Volunteer at St. Vincent's Episcopal Thrift Shop How long have you been volunteering? Two to three years What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? "I just had time on my hands. Plus, the church was asking." What do you like about volunteering? "You get to go out and meet different kinds of people." How often do you volunteer? "Two afternoons per week." What keeps you interested in volunteering? "The socializing." What do you like about Gulfport? "It's a nice friendly place." How can people help your organization…

Name: Kimberly Keyes Hometown: Gulfport (Pinellas County) Birthday: March Title: Volunteer at the Industrial Arts Center How long have you been volunteering? 16 years What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “Just walking in, I was bit by the glass bug.”  What do you like about volunteering? “It gets me out there.” How often do you volunteer? "Every week." What keeps you interested in volunteering? “I think it’s just the fact that anybody is welcome and that it’s a community.”  What do you like about Gulfport? "I just can’t say enough about Gulfport…the real sense of community.” …

Name: Donny Weidenkopf   Hometown: West Virginia  Birthday: December   Title: Glassblower at the Industrial Arts Center  How long have you been volunteering? Two years   What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “It started with the first piece of glass I made.”  What do you like about volunteering? "It’s nice to help other people."  How often do you volunteer? "Every Art Walk and at glass blowing classes."   What keeps you interested in volunteering? "The glass." What do you like about Gulfport? "The art center." How can the public help your organization? "People can volunteer by …

Name: Eva Morison Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL Birthday: January Title: Front Desk/ Lobby Volunteer for Gulfport Senior Center How long have you been volunteering? “Four or more years.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “I’m retired and I wanted to do something useful with my time. Volunteering helps me and others.” What do you like about volunteering? “There is a nice group of people here at the Senior Center, and I like the variety of activities they offer to fellow senior citizens.”  How often do you volunteer? “Usually once a week unless there is a flea market.” What …

Name: Emily Holden Hometown: Bedford, England Birthday: February Title: Volunteer for the Gulfport Public Library, miscellaneous duties How long have you been volunteering? “Half of this summer for my scholarship.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “I need the credits for my bright future’s scholarship and I like helping out the library.” What do you like about volunteering? “I like the people, they are really nice!”  How often do you volunteer? “Twice a week.” What keeps you interested in volunteering? “Receiving my scholarship money for college.” What do you like about …

Name: Margo Cormier Hometown: St. Petersburg, FL Birthday: June 12, 1939 Title: Volunteer for the front desk and fitness center at the Gulfport Senior Center How long have you been volunteering? “4 years.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “I saw an add and I figured why not occupy my time by helping out.” What do you like about volunteering? “The people; I love the people!”  How often do you volunteer? “Typically twice a week, but more if needed.” What keeps you interested in volunteering? “I just love doing it and I love meeting all the people.” What do you like about …

Name: Nancy Lang Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Birthday: May 22, 1930 Title: Volunteer for Telephone Reassurance Program at the Gulfport Senior Center How long have you been volunteering? “Fifteen to twenty years.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “When my husband passed I had a lot of spare time and I didn’t want to sit around and do nothing, so to keep busy, I began volunteering.” What do you like about volunteering? “It keeps you involved and your mind stays sharp. It's like the continuation of a job except no pay check.”  How often do you volunteer? “It varies; I …

Name: Sandy Duffy Hometown: Gulfport, FL Birthday: March Title: Volunteer Coordinator for Gulfport Merchants Association How long have you been volunteering? “Two years.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “After I retired I wanted to be involved in the community and give back to the town that gave me a warm welcome when I first came.  Gulfport is like my extended family!” What do you like about volunteering? “I love welcoming people to the community, and helping them feel comfortable.”  How often do you volunteer? “I am always on call. Also, I volunteer every Tuesday for the…

Name: Mary Stull Hometown: Springfield, Ohio Birthday: March 27 Title: Volunteer for Gulfport Chamber of Commerce How long have you been volunteering? “3 years.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “I love the community of Gulfport and being able to give back to it.” What do you like about volunteering? “Meeting new people! I like being able to give advice and tell people about Gulfport. ”  How often do you volunteer? “Once a week.” What keeps you interested in volunteering? “Every time I volunteer I learn something new; I meet the most interesting people.” What do you like …

Name: Alice Otis Hometown: Laurel, Maryland Birthday: November 26 Title: Front Desk Volunteer at the Gulfport Senior Center How long have you been volunteering? “A couple weeks.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “I loved the Senior Center and I wanted to give back.” What do you like about volunteering? “The people I meet, I just love being around such inspiring people”  How often do you volunteer? “Once a week.” What keeps you interested in volunteering? “The Senior Center is a wonderful center that helps out many different people who range in age.” What do you like about …

Name: Pam McGinnis Hometown: Gulfport, FL DOB: February 10, 1953 Title: Neighborly Care Dining Volunteer at the Gulfport Senior Center How long have you been volunteering? “10 years or more.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “I wasn’t sure if I could handle volunteering because I am ill, but I was asked to volunteer, I said yes, and it turned out to be my life saver!” What do you like about volunteering? “I love the people involved, I love helping out with creative things for events, and I love seeing people happy.”  How often do you volunteer? “Two to three days a week, as…

Name: Linda Henderson Hometown: Gulfport Birthday: January Title: Volunteer at Sophie’s Attic Thrift Store How long have you been volunteering? “Four months.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “I wanted to help out First United Methodist Church.” What do you like about volunteering? “Helping people and helping the church, we give back to the community.”  How often do you volunteer? “Forty hours a week.” What keeps you interested in volunteering? “Helping the community and the people who need help.” What do you like about Gulfport? “I like that it is a small town.  Everyone …

Name: Lee MacKinnon Hometown: Rhinecliff, NY Birthday: Nov. 17, 1958 Title: Front desk volunteer for the Gulfport Senior Center How long have you been volunteering? “Two months for the senior center.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “It seems like a good fit. I am in the graduation program for my master’s degree, and I enjoy working with seniors.” What do you like about volunteering? “It gives you a good feeling; servicing others feels good.”  How often do you volunteer? “Once a week because of my busy class schedule.” What keeps you interested in volunteering? “I like …

Name: Doris Glass Hometown: Gulfport Birthday: May Title: First United Methodist Church of Gulfport volunteer How long have you been volunteering? “30 years here.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “Our church is very friendly, and the friendly people of Gulfport helped to inspire me to volunteer.” What do you like about volunteering? “The self satisfaction you get from helping others.”  How often do you volunteer? “Every day.” What keeps you interested in volunteering? “The church needs the help.” What do you like about Gulfport? “The weather here and the friendly community…

Name: Helen Lepore Hometown: Plainville, Connecticut Birthday: February 12, 1933 Title: Telephone Reassurance Service Volunteer at the Gulfport Senior Center How long have you been volunteering? “About four years in total and two months doing phone reassurance.” What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? “I like working with people. I used to be a CNA, and have always liked working with and helping out the elderly.” What do you like about volunteering? “It brings me joy and gives joy and pleasure to others; I also like talking with them.”  How often do you volunteer? “Once a month …