News

Pictured L-R are Tim Raible, Dr. Anne Kerr, Dr. Zac McGowen, and Steve Bissonnette VISTE Celebrates Volunteers at Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) is a community-based, non-profit organization serving Lakeland, Bartow, Mulberry and Ft. Meade. With approximately 4,000 clients and over 1,000 volunteers, VISTE lives up to its name. With a small staff and annual budget, they heavily depend upon volunteers to carry out its mission to enable elderly ...

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 and talents to worthy causes. It is my pleasure to recognize Florida Southern College, Guests Services, and First Presbyterian Church with President’s Awards for exemplary service. At VISTE, volunteers are at the heart of almost everything we do so it’s fitting that this newsletter shines a spotlight on ...

April is National Volunteer Month! It was designated as such in 1991 by President George H. W. Bush, the same year “1000 Points of Light” celebrated the work of volunteers everywhere. Each year VISTE aspires to show our appreciation to the volunteers who support our mission – to enable elderly persons to live independently and safely in their own homes. We did not want another year to go by without being able to get together ...

Join us for the 17th Annual VISTEBall! IMPORTANT NOTE: This year VISTEBall events include an online auction, wheelbarrow of cheer, and charity golf tournament. We look forward to adding back in an indoor event in 2023! It’s that time again! VISTE’s signature annual fundraiser, the 17th Annual VISTEBall, will take place ONLINE this year and will include two of your favorite events – the Wheelbarrow of Cheer and our Online Auction! All proceeds benefit local ...

Did you know? The most powerful impact that volunteers make here at VISTE can be heard firsthand from our clients right on our website at viste.org! These precious messages and our clients are THE reason our volunteers are so dedicated, so we are pleased to bring their testimonies to you!   With the help of Tinsley Creative, we have transferred phone messages and videos about clients to the website. To access them, just click on ...

Working quietly but effectively behind the scenes, Warehouse Manager Tucker Bradshaw helps oversee all aspects of the 23,000 sq. ft. VISTE facility located near downtown Lakeland. Formerly used as a meat processing plant, the property was acquired by VISTE in 2001 as the need for client services increased.  Originally from Lakeland, Tucker volunteered at VISTE before joining the staff in 2018. His sister, Audrey Murphy, also worked at VISTE for several years. In addition, their ...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! This generic greeting is often used to celebrate a single moment in time, reflect on the prior 12 months, mark a significant milestone, and set one’s sights with renewed intention on the year ahead. Regardless of the context, this is a time of transitions. The same is true for VISTE… While COVID continued to impact all aspects of our operations, there were still moments of celebration like our first Virtual VISTEBall that ...

VISTE supporters are hands down the most amazing people ever! When the call went out to help purchase Thanksgiving meals and Holiday Personal Care Boxes for seniors in the community, you shattered the QGiv online campaign thermometer! And when it appeared our Annual Campaign was lagging a bit as we entered the fourth quarter, you gave from the heart, exemplifying the true meaning of Christmas, and exceeded the goal! Thank you for the outpouring of ...

THANKS + GIVING... the name itself implies two complementary acts inevitably intertwined in the ebb and flow of life. None of us is on an island unto ourselves. We have all received much to be grateful for, and each of us has the capacity to give to others our time, talents, and/or treasures. Indeed, this holiday season is a time of giving thanks for blessings received and to express generosity toward others. In many ways, ...

Thanksgiving and Christmas are special times of the year meant for sharing with friends and family. But while this season brings happiness to many, it also brings loneliness to those who may not have family or friends to celebrate with. Last year, we received this heartfelt note from William after he received his meal and plant. “I’m an 86-year-old man in south Lakeland. I make very little, and the things VISTE gives me make a ...