News

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, a time dedicated to recognizing the importance of volunteering and honoring the significant contributions volunteers make by generously donating their time, talents, and treasures. Since 1983, volunteers have been the heart and soul, the lifeblood of VISTE. Indeed, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the legion of volunteers that have come before us during the past 40 years. Their collective efforts over that time have improved the ...

Congratulations to our 2023 award winners! Royal Rangers – Jeffrey Perkins Youth Award. We are pleased to recognize these hard-working youth volunteers for their consistent contributions loading meals for delivery to clients during VISTE’s annual Thanksgiving Meal Delivery event. The Royal Rangers are affiliated with Victory Church in Lakeland and have been volunteering at the event for years! Gordon Cronk – Elfried Pennekamp Memorial Award. Gordon exemplifies what Mr. Pennekamp, a founding member of VISTE, ...

Volunteers are the heart of Volunteers in Service to the Elderly and have been since our founding in 1983! As I was looking through some of VISTE’s historical records and photos for our 40th Anniversary, I came across training documents from 1985. A new volunteer reflected on her training and experiences while visiting with elderly clients: “I went to three homes today for an evaluation and two reevaluations. I learned how to have patience with ...

VISTEBall is back and better than ever! Our signature annual fundraising event will take place IN PERSON at the Sun 'n Fun Expo Campus in Lakeland on Saturday, February 4 from 6:00-9:30 pm. The golf-themed extravaganza features games, food and drinks, prizes, and more - all for a great cause, helping local seniors in need. Enjoy complimentary beer, wine, and margaritas throughout the evening. Dinner will be available from 6:30-8:00 pm. Drinks, appetizers, dinner, games, and prizes are all included in ...

It is with a grateful heart that I write this to you, our amazing VISTE volunteers! VISTE elves like YOU helped deliver 2,000 Thanksgiving meals, plus 450 Holiday Personal Care Boxes and Christmas gifts to our elderly clients - producing smiles from clients and wonderful holiday visits for all! Thank you for being a part of such an important mission. I personally made several deliveries, and I can truly say it was one of the ...

Through your support, VISTE will celebrate 40 years of service to the elderly this year! And, with your ongoing support, the VISTE Endowment Fund will ensure that VISTE is here to help seniors for generations to come!! While we have grown, expanded, and adapted over the last 40 years, it recently became clear that VISTE, like other nonprofits, can be financially vulnerable to fluctuations in the economy as well as unexpected events. The purpose of ...

In 1983, a small group of men affiliated with Catholic Charities in Lakeland saw an unmet need in the community – their elderly neighbors had no way to get to medical appointments. The group, including Frank O’Reilly, wanted to help and began providing free transportation for seniors in need. From this effort Volunteers in Service to the Elderly was established. Recently we had the pleasure of visiting with Frank about his long association with VISTE; ...

That greeting takes on special significance this time as 2023 marks the 40th Anniversary of Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE). We invite you to join us throughout this coming year to honor those who started and built up this unique organization, celebrate this milestone anniversary, and look forward to the next 40+ years of service to our elderly neighbors in need. THE VISION: In 1983 Ed Kren, Director of Catholic Charities, invited 14 ...

In 1983, a small group of men affiliated with Catholic Charities in Lakeland saw an unmet need in the community – their elderly neighbors had no way to get to medical appointments, the grocery store, and other necessary places. The group, including Frank O’Reilly, wanted to help and began providing free transportation for seniors in need. From this effort Volunteers in Service to the Elderly was established. Original founding Board members included Frank, Kirk McKay ...

Fall is a time of thanksgiving, and we want to take this opportunity to express gratitude for your ongoing compassion, care, and generosity toward our elderly neighbors in need. That is particularly true this fall as we prepare to celebrate VISTE’s 40th Anniversary! VISTE was founded in 1983 by a small group of volunteers in response to a growing need for transportation assistance. Since that time, thousands of people have actively engaged in our mission ...