Senior center volunteer coordinator joins staff

The Douglas County Senior Center's new volunteer coordinator was an easy choice, since she brought with her plenty of experience in the field.

When the new position became available to the center, Senior Services Supervisor Warren Bottino said Kathy Davis, of Gardnerville, was the perfect fit for them.

"We're really lucky to have her," said Bottino, on March 22, Davis' second day on the job.

Davis worked in the California State Park system for about 24 years as a state park ranger and volunteer coordinator before coming to the senior center.

"For many years I coordinated every form of volunteers we had out there," said Davis. "I made sure they had their training, I did the scheduling and was servicing a lot of different groups. It was a great opportunity to work with a wonderful group of folks."

With state parks, Davis took care of school outreach programs, helped handle rescues and assisted visitors to the parks, among other things.

She hopes to bring as much enthusiasm to the new group of people she's serving, the seniors.

"Our perception of what it means to pass that 60 mark is changing," said Davis. "Health care has improved. The needs out there are very large. Any generation benefits from (volunteers)."

Senior center volunteers include those in the Medic Alert Program, the Home Companion Program, the Elder Law Program, Active Volunteers in Douglas County (through the Douglas County Sheriff's Office), as well as daily volunteers at the senior center, in the gift shop, ceramics room and cafeteria.

"We're the only senior center around that serves lunches since we have a cafeteria," said Bottino, proudly. "We do that because of our volunteers."

"They are right on it," said Davis, " so friendly and helpful."

Funding for Davis' position became available through the Nevada Division for Aging Services, after the Retired Senior Volunteer Program dissolved.

"It's exciting to me because we have someone now who can focus their whole attention on (coordinating volunteers)," said Bottino. "We have never had that luxury before."

One day into her job, Davis wanted to get the word out about how they need more volunteers for the Home Companion Program.

Home companions volunteer to visit with seniors, sometimes reading a book, giving the families a break or maybe take them shopping or to a doctor's appointment.

For more information, call Kathy Davis at the senior center, 783-6455.

n Jo Rafferty can be reached at jrafferty@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 210.