Giving back to the community

COEUR d'ALENE - More than two years ago, Post Falls resident and former commercial real estate agent and business owner Ralph Snookal had a massive stroke. His right side was paralyzed, but he's fought his way back and he's walking again.

Today, he can't speak more than a couple of words at a time because of a blood clot, and still can't fully use his right arm.

Yet, he finds time each week to volunteer in the community, helping others who need help more than he does.

Along with his wife Louise, he volunteers at a thrift store that is part of the Coeur d'Alene Homes assisted living and memory care facility. They also volunteer at estate sales for Coeur d'Alene Homes.

"It's his whole life," Louise said. Everything he's got to give, he gives it to others.

The payback, she said, "You meet a lot of very nice people, and you feel good when you go home."

The Snookals are a lot like more than 200 other senior volunteers from throughout Idaho's five northern counties who on Saturday attended this year's RSVP Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Lake City Center. The event is organized and run by the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Program manager Bob Small said Ralph Snookal's dedication to helping others serves as an example of the generosity and dedication put forth daily by North Idaho's senior volunteers.

"This is what it's all about," Small said.

He said the luncheon provides volunteers an opportunity to meet with others like themselves who are serving people in need in North Idaho. Lunch was prepared by Outback Steakhouse.

"Otherwise I'd be serving hot dogs and hamburgers today," Small said. "We just don't have the money in the budget to do this. Outback has always stepped up to the plate, because they consider it to be so crucial to the community."

Talk to enough volunteers, and they all know the reward for a job well done is, simply, more work. But, they love it. They feel productive, and needed.

The volunteers work at medical centers, senior centers, schools, police departments, libraries, visitor centers, and other places.

Doris Chappius and Carlina Shelby, each of Coeur d'Alene, volunteer for the Idaho State Police each week.

"I have always felt that you need to give back to the community for what you get out of it," said Chappius.

She said she would almost pay ISP to let her work there, where she primarily provides data entry help.

Shelby said she retired from a medical office, and after retirement, "I got home and the walls kind of closed in on me, because I don't needlepoint or paint."

So she went out and looked for "another family," and, she said, "I found it at Idaho State Police."

At ISP, she does filing, labeling, and with a chuckle, she added, "smashing paraphernalia."

She also volunteers at Kootenai Medical Center's heart center.

"I've come across some of the nicest people in town, I think," Shelby said.

Bobby Rogers of Plummer volunteers every week at senior centers in Plummer, Tensed and Worley. He spends a lot of that volunteer time hauling groceries around.

"I volunteer as much as I can," he said. "Sometimes my knees give out, but I keep going."