Eras Senior Network Seeks At Least 100 Additional Volunteers

WAUKESHA, WI— No one likes yard work, going to the grocery store, or dealing with bills. For seniors, these are tasks people take for granted and make the difference between living somewhere else or staying in their homes.

The volunteers through the Eras Senior Network not only help seniors with chores but in other life-enriching ways. Tom Bohmann of Waukesha has been a volunteer for 33 years. He and his wife Toni are current volunteers for Eras Senior Network.

Eras is a nonprofit organization that serves seniors in Milwaukee and Waukesha counties, which are home to one quarter of the state’s seniors. The Eras Drive. Give. Serve. program provides vital free services to these groups, such as grocery delivery and transportation to medical appointments, through an active network of local volunteers.

Bohmann first volunteered after reading an ad through his church.

At first, he started with yard work and cleaning the gutters and slowly started to help seniors make bill payments. Bohmann then became a driver to run errands and got to appointments with people. Before retiring, he would volunteer over his lunch hour.

"I would sign up for Waukesha Food Pantry pick-up and delivery. I got to the food pantry while it was open, delivered it, and get back to work," he told Patch.

Now he can volunteer more hours to assist seniors. He’s primarily volunteering to help three ladies right now, one almost blind – he does nearly everything for her.

In some cases, he helps ‘clients’ with technology – setting up online grocery accounts. He then goes to pick up the groceries and delivers them to the home.

Bohmann said the most rewarding aspect of volunteering is the relationship building and helping people keep their independence.

"People are incredibly grateful. I just appreciate getting to know them," he said.

100 additional volunteers needed

With many seniors struggling with isolation during the pandemic, Eras Senior Network is seeking at least 100 additional volunteers to participate in its Drive. Give. Serve. program by International Volunteer Day on Saturday, Dec. 5.

The pandemic has led to a shortage of volunteer drivers in Milwaukee and Waukesha, and support is needed now.

The organization is seeing an increase in demand for safe, reliable transportation and contactless deliveries, and believes demand will continue to grow in the winter months when inclement weather makes it more difficult for seniors to get to appointments and stock their pantries.

“We are trying to stay proactive and reach out to the community now, so we have more volunteers readily available in the coming months,” said Kathy Gale, executive director at Eras Senior Network. “Our team is really looking forward to celebrating our current volunteers, and hopefully 100 more, on International Volunteer Day.”

To keep everyone safe, volunteer drivers and clients are required to take extra precautions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and other illnesses, including symptom screenings, social distancing and wearing masks. But longtime Eras volunteers, like Tillie Franks of Milwaukee, don’t seem to mind.

“As a volunteer, I get so much out of the experience,” Franks said. “Taking time to do something for others really makes me think less about my own problems and focus more on how I can support the much bigger needs that others have.”

Another faithful community volunteer talked about how convenient the Drive. Give. Serve program is.

“I can do it when it works best for me,” said Sandi Sawyer of Menomonee Falls. “There is an online portal that shows client requests, and I can choose the ones in my neighborhood, which is where I feel more comfortable driving.”

If you are an insured driver with a desire to give back, visit https://drivegiveserve.org/volunteer
or call 262-549-3348 to inquire about volunteering.