That must be her secret to youth, health and happiness.
“If I sat at home, I’d be older than my 74 years,” said Rosalie Roberts of Temple, honored volunteer from Ronald McDonald House in Temple. “As the saying goes, I would prefer to wear out than to rust out.”
Not rusty and definitely not worn out, Ms. Roberts is a spry, smiling woman, ready for any task and challenge. Her list of duties at the Ronald McDonald House compares to the job description of a full-time employee.
“We’d be broke if we had to pay her,” said Susan Bolton, House executive director.
Ms. Roberts answers the phone, organizes supplies, makes gift bags, decorates, makes deliveries, does paperwork and “keeps track of everything,” Ms. Bolton said. “(Already) this year, she’s logged more than 2,000 hours.”
The staff of the Ronald McDonald House got a chance to thank Ms. Roberts for her 14 years of work this April when they nominated her for the U.S. Volunteer Service Award.
The award is an initiative of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, the U.S.A. Freedom Corps and the Corporation for National and Community Service. Administered by the Points of Light Foundation and the Volunteer Center National Network, the award is of the highest caliber a volunteer can receive, just underneath the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award includes a signed thank-you letter from President George W. Bush, a lapel pin and a certificate.
“I didn’t know I was nominated,” Ms. Roberts said. “But I found out when they told me I won. I was surprised and happy.”
Not one to gloat, Ms. Roberts didn’t want to talk about how wonderful she is. She wanted to talk about the Ronald McDonald House and how it helps the children whose pictures hang on the walls.
“It’s a good bunch of people here to work with,” Ms. Roberts said. “Everybody here does what needs to be done. The business manager unclogs pipes, and the boss changes light bulbs.”
She’s glad to help also because she knows what it’s like to work for a non-profit, small-staffed organization.
“I worked a lot of U.S. government civil service,” Ms. Roberts said. “So I know there are things that need to be done and not enough people to do them.”
The same on-the-job experience also tells Ms. Roberts that when “real help” is needed, there’s no time for training.
“I don’t have to be told what to do. I’m good at figuring things out,” Ms. Roberts said. “I’ve taught, been a school principal and a budget analyst in Washington D.C. No, I see something that needs doing, and I do it. I don’t wait to be told.
“Not when I’ve been on a Navajo Reservation, out in the middle of nowhere. Out there, you took care of everything, including fires and miscarriages.”
Ms. Roberts didn’t elaborate, but her voice was full of authority as she spoke. It wasn’t necessary for her talk longer than she needed - not when there was work to be done.
--tlunsford@temple-telegram.com.
