This story is part of a series highlighting seniors doing exceptional volunteer work in the community. The stories were part of a special print edition distributed throughout businesses in town.
Ruth Ann Schneider has been volunteering for Visiting Nurses in Lawrence for several years.
Schneider helps nurses organize the materials that they need to visit patients each week, such as sheets, gloves and paperwork.
She started volunteering with Visiting Nurses after hearing her friend Carol Wilcox was involved, along with some other friends from the area. They had a friend who worked for the organization for over 50 years before retiring who also inspired them to volunteer themselves.
The organization offers home health and rehabilitation, hospice, help at home and grief support.
During the pandemic, volunteers helped organize what they could from their homes, and then started going back in person once it was safer again.
Schneider also makes centerpieces and decor for the monthly Senior Foundation of Eudora meetings – like snowmen in trucks for Christmas and Easter basket centerpieces.
Crafting and sewing have always been a large part of her life, whether it’s making casserole dish holders for friends, sewing angels for the holidays or making crocheted bookmarks. She’s always working on projects to give away.
She used to have a small business catering and making cakes for weddings in town, as well.
She can’t always get out and do a lot of volunteer work, but she keeps busy with Visiting Nurses and all her crafting, she said.
“I’m lucky to be able to do what I do at 86,” she said.