Irene Andrews

Age: 83.

Family: Husband, Andy Andrews. Between the two of us we have seven children, eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, as well as two dogs and a cat.

Residence: Marysville.

Occupation: Retired from Del Monte Corp. I worked there for 32 years.

How long have you lived in the Yuba-Sutter area? Since 1943.

Hobbies, interests: I am a 49er fan and like to watch golfing.

For what groups do you volunteer? I am quite involved with my church, the First United Methodist Church in Marysville. This year, I took over as director of the Bazaar Buddies. Right now our project is the craft bazaar on Nov. 3. It includes framed recent pictures of old structures in Marysville, house plants and necklaces made of "ladder yarn."

I've always been one to do a lot of crafts. I was also Sunshine chairman at the church. There are activities at the church all the time.

I've been a volunteer for the Yuba-Sutter Gleaners Food Bank for 27 years.

The first year after I retired in 1983 from the cannery, I just relaxed and didn't do anything. I became a member of the Gleaners in 1985 and have been vice president, secretary, treasurer and on the board of directors.

My husband and I were directors of the Gleaners bingo games for 13 years.

I volunteered with the Yuba-Sutter United Way for 10 years, when Nancy Ferreira was the director — I went to a computer class and learned how to operate it, helping get the United Way's records into the computer. When Nancy passed away, I lost interest in the organization. It's the first volunteer group I ever quit.

When I was raising my children in Olivehurst, I helped at the school and with the PTA.

How do you fit volunteering into your schedule? I waited until I retired to volunteer. Now I have a housekeeper and a gardener and have more time to volunteer.

Words of advice: After you retire from your job, don't just sit down and let the world go by. My advice is to keep busy — even if you can't do anything else but call a shut-in; if you can't volunteer for six hours, volunteer for one hour. Get a reason to get dressed and get out of the house.

Why be a volunteer? Do unto others what you wish to be done by. I've never thought why people volunteer. Some people think they are going to get something; most of our church ladies do it to have something to do. They enjoy being with other people.

Positive and negative points about volunteering: Most of the time it's good things. Sometimes there's a conflict of interest, some times you get your feelings hurt. I tried to help once when I heard there was a need, but was told they needed people who had experience. I thought, that's all right. I have other things to do.

Quote: "If you're able, get up and do something."

Volunteer of the Week runs Tuesdays. To submit the name of a volunteer to be featured, contact Community Editor Leticia Gutierrez at 749-6552.