Volunteer Spotlight: Charles Jaggar

Eleven years ago, Charles Jaggar left his job at a local care center and was ready for a vacation. That vacation short lived when he received a call from his sister who was a physical therapist at the Robison Home. She had made an appointment for him to meet with the Activity/Volunteer Coordinator so he could become a volunteer. Life has never been the same since.

Starting off helping with ceramics and various weekly activities, Charles also became a regular volunteer at Bingo. He has progressed through the years from runner to a regular caller on Tuesday afternoons. He’s also added Rose Schnitzer Manor to his regular volunteer list, ensuring that residents are safe and sound during the three shuttles on Fridays. During Charles’ 11 years of volunteering with Cedar Sinai Park, he has been the recipient of several awards including Cedar Sinai Park’s Presidential Recognition Award in June 2001 and the Chief Executive Officer’s Award of Honor in June 2006.

Why does Charles keep coming back week after week? He explains that, as his personal family has gotten smaller, CSP staff and residents have become his extended family. Every week is a new adventure he says.

What would Charles say to a potential volunteer for CSP? He ponders that question. Then, Charles responds that he learns so many things about different people and different cultures every time he is involved with activities. “You become part of someone else’s life and have fun as well,” he reflects.

Leadership Profile: Martha Soltesz

Martha Soltesz is a volunteer extraordinaire who will now take her talents to the 2010-2011 RJHC Membership Campaign as a co-chair. She is preparing to work towards a $250,000 fundraising goal with hopes of using new and progressive ways of outreach. CSP is fortunate to have Martha on board, just read why…

Tell us about your personal background.
I was born and raised in Mexico City. I finished my schooling (high school and college) in California. I also got an elementary teaching degree in California. I have been married for 40 years and have two adult children and one grandchild.

What about your professional life?
I have been a bilingual elementary school teacher for many years and have also worked with junior and senior high school students as well as with adults. I left teaching to pursue a career in Spanish Medical Interpreting with the Multnomah Health Department for seven years. I am now retired.

Do you do any other community work and/or volunteering?
I volunteer twice a month at Blanchett House (feeding the homeless), Red Cross (interpreting in Spanish during blood drives), SMART (reading with kids at school), New Avenues for Youth (helping kids get their GED), Hands on Better Portland (various activities like serving Seniors), The Children’s Book Bank (cleaning books and donating them to low-income families) and Social Venture Partners Portland, a local nonprofit engaged in venture philanthropy.

How did you get involved with the CSP board?
I was nominated by a board member.

What do you hope to achieve as a board member?
I hope to make a contribution to CSP by working on special subcommittees that will benefit our elders. I am involved in the Strategic Planning Committee, Outreach Committee and QMCCC.

What are you passionate about in terms of your work at CSP?
Making sure our elders continue to receive good quality care and live the remainder of their lives in comfort and with dignity.

What are your goals for 2010-2011RJHC Membership Campaign?
To work with other committee members to recruit and maintain existing membership, help with phone-a-thons and support new and innovative ideas.

What do you think the future holds for CSP?
Continue to provide a range of living and service options for our elders.

What do you enjoy most about being on the board?
Seeing the day-to-day operation of how a large care facility operates, its challenges and developing the solutions. I like listening to new ideas and finding a way to incorporate them. I enjoy being part of the process.

What’s something interesting about yourself that others may not know?
I was a Spanish Medical Interpreter.

Kids? Hobbies? Favorite place to travel to?
I have a married son and a soon-to-be-wed daughter and a beautiful 6-week-old granddaughter. My hobbies are reading, biking (when I can), exercising, singing and dancing. I love to travel especially to Cancun, Mexico, Israel and other parts of Europe and Latin America as well.

Volunteer Spotlight: Jessica Rapport

Jessica Rapport shares her insights on being a volunteer with us…

“I wanted to let you know how much fun I have been having volunteering. My experience going to the baseball game was unforgettable. All of the residents were so excited, and I had the joy of meeting Eve. Her energy and kindness is overwhelming, and I LOVED singing and dancing with her. She was so over joyed with the fact that she got to go to a baseball game.”

“This really made me realize the importance of these outings and spending time with the residents. I was so heart broken when we were not able to take them into the game [because the bus lift was broken], but then Eve told me she had such a good time on the ride and told me that ‘everyday you wake up and see yourself in the mirror is a good day’.  What a great motto. She reminded me that I should be grateful for all the little moments.”