As a mother of five, grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of 14, it seems Winona resident Edie Larimer wouldn’t have any extra time for volunteering.
That’s not the case.
Larimer, 80, has volunteered for eight years as a senior companion for the Lutheran Social Services, where she does a variety of tasks for her clients, including filling prescriptions, helping with bank accounts, grocery shopping, or even just taking folks out for a ride to get out of the house.
Larimer stressed that while she does plenty of work, the important part of her volunteer position is simply providing companionship.
Lutheran Social Services is part of a national program that offers a variety of services, including Senior Companions and Foster Grandparents. These programs offer opportunities for seniors to volunteer by creating connections with a senior companion or child. Although there are two senior companions in Winona, Larimer and Clarence Dow, there aren’t any foster grandparents, according to Sandy Olson, the regional supervisor for the program — and Winona could us a few.