News

  Did you know that in a typical year VISTE provides accessibility ramps, stairs and stair rails to 60-75 VISTE clients, free of charge? These essential modifications help enable your elderly neighbors to remain safely and independently in their own homes. We are seeking volunteers for our Ramp Crew, a talented group of VISTE volunteers who donate their time and talent to build and install ramps and other modifications. THANK YOU!!

Did you know that VISTE’s first program was Transportation Services? In 1983 a small group of volunteers saw an unmet need in the community to provide transportation for local seniors. Over the years, the need has grown significantly, and today VISTE typically provides over 15,000 client trips each year, free of charge to VISTE clients. We often receive thank-you notes from grateful clients: I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for ...

We are beyond grateful for the strong response from the community and all who donated to this year’s VISTE Cares campaign! Gifts large and small allowed us to not only reach, but exceed, our goal and deliver 400 boxes of personal care items to local seniors in need. And due to the generosity of the George Jenkins Foundation and our campaign sponsor, T. Mims Corp., the first $5,000 in gifts was matched! Thank you for supporting ...

VISTE is proud to recognize Karen Volkmann as this year’s Volunteer of the Year! Karen is a true dynamo…You can find her helping in our warehouse, in the office, and preparing and delivering Hot Meals each week. We are so grateful to Karen and all the time she gives back to VISTE in support of our elderly family members, friends, and neighbors in need. Karen is also a new VISTE Board member! Congratulations and thank ...

I’m delighted that our Summer 2021 newsletter focuses on VISTE’s oldest and largest program, Transportation Services! Not only is it widely used by clients – over 15,000 trips per year! – but it was the very first service VISTE offered 38 years ago. But did you know that Transportation Services is also VISTE’s most costly program to run?   Everyone wants to stay as independent as possible as they age – and being able to ...

Do you remember your first car? I do… It was a Chevy El Camino with a camper top over the back. I still remember that first drive with Jim Croce playing on the radio; “Movin’ me down the highway, Rollin’ me down the highway, Movin’ ahead so life won’t pass me by.” There was something magical about that experience and the sense of freedom and independence that came with it. In time, the ability to ...

VISTE's Transportation department plays a pivotal role in enabling the frail and elderly to remain safely and independently in their own homes. In addition, the social interaction between clients and VISTE drivers helps to alleviate social isolation among seniors, especially those living alone. Longtime VISTE driver Clara (at right) has been transporting Rosemary regularly since 2003 – and they have been great friends ever since! When asked about the secret to good health at 95, ...

Every April at VISTE we celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Month. To kick off our appreciation month this year we recently recognized a volunteer who has served with us for 18 years! JoAnn Schirm started volunteering for VISTE in 2003 and has been delivering hot meals to clients every Tuesday and Thursday ever since. She has been delivering to some of her clients for almost 10 years. Her service amounted to over 1,800 days, 4,500 hours and almost 20,000 ...

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson   I received a call recently from a VISTE client who wanted our tax ID number because she is naming VISTE as the beneficiary of her life insurance policy. She wished to remain anonymous but wanted us to be aware that the funds will be coming eventually. She impressed upon me that “It’s not ...

Events of this past year have challenged even the strongest and most independent of us in ways never expected or experienced before. VISTE is extremely grateful for all the community support and volunteers that made it possible to continue providing essential services without interruption. We are also taking this opportunity to turn our attention forward, more committed than ever to continue meeting the needs of our growing elderly population today, and for years to come. ...