Retiree volunteers time at Children's Center
Released: October 23, 2006
Leland Smith at the Children's Center
Lee Smith, a 74-year-old retiree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has found a new career. "Lee comes twice a week to share and volunteer his time, donate his handyman skills when things break down and help us with whatever we need at the Children's Center," Children's Center Director Cigdem Unal said.
Every Monday and Thursday morning for the past seven years, Smith has made the drive from Fort Atkinson to contribute his services to the Children's Center staff and children. He lends a helping hand as he fixes old toys and bicycles, does gardening and anything else he can get his hands on.
Born and raised in Fort Atkinson, Smith is no stranger to the UW-Whitewater campus. He was a custodian on campus for 23 years before retiring in 1999. Over the course of his custodial career, Smith worked in Carlson Hall, Heide Hall and of course Roseman Hall. Even though he is retired, Smith still has plenty to offer. As a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, he contributes his time wherever he can. He is active on several committees, most notably the building committee that recently built an addition to the 100-year-old church. His other main responsibility at the church is maintaining the steeple clock.
Smith is passionate about volunteering in his free time. "The opportunity is there for retirees to volunteer their services and use their talents in various departments on campus," Smith says. "I know it keeps me going and keeps me feeling young." Smith is an active senior citizen in the community with a great attitude to boot. "Coming to the center and helping out gives me great satisfaction. The friendliness of the people and children keep me coming back."
Every year the Children's Center has a Halloween costume parade. You can bet that Smith will be there once again this year as the cameraman taking pictures and joining in the festivities. The bond between Smith, the center staff and the children is evident the moment you walk in and see what an impact he has made. If anything breaks at the center, the children will say "Lee will fix it!" and they set it aside for him until his next visit. The children make cards and pictures for Lee and love having him around. "We are all very fortunate to have Lee at the Children's Center with us," Unal says. "I don't know what we would do without him."- Mike Varga,vargama04@uww.edu
