Eddie Van Zandt - Serve Virginia

Eddie Van Zandt

September 24, 2024

Edwina “Eddie” Van Zandt serves as a Foster Grandma in the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program at Senior Connections. She first got involved with the Foster Grandparents program eight years ago, at the recommendation of her friend, Barbara, who also continues to serve in the program. “It’s been a joyful experience,” says Eddie.

She recalls, “Barbara was talking about Foster Grandparents and I thought, ‘well how do I get involved in that.’ I’ve always worked with kids and even taught preschool so she got me interested and I got involved.”

Since then, she has served in the day care at Trinity Family Life Center in Richmond, working primarily with children who are 2-4 years old. She reads them stories and they sing songs together. Often she’ll also help prepare craft activities for them, from making kites to decorating bulletin boards and coloring. She also plays games like Mother May I with them and accompanies them for playground time and snack time.

Typically, she is matched with one teacher for a whole school year with about eight kids per class. She says, “I get to know all the kids… I’ve gotten to watch some of them grow until they go to kindergarten. It’s just amazing watching them all. I can’t really explain it. It’s wonderful to be able to be there with them!”

“I was out for a little bit because of my diabetes, and when I came back, I walked in and the kids all ran to me and were excited and shouting ‘Grandma!,'” recalls Eddie.

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, she began writing letters to her foster grandkids to support them from afar, but she feels that it’s just not the same as getting to support them in-person. She says, “I love writing to them but I really love working with the young ones. They’re really great.”

Her advice to other considering the Foster Grandparent program? “If you like to be with kids or used to be a teacher and now that you’re retired, think about the children and what you can give back to them and what you can get back too. You might really enjoy it!”

“It gave me something to do and I really enjoy working with the kids,” she reflects. “I guess I got it back two-fold, loving them and them loving me. It’s really nice.”

Edwina also recently took part in a Photovoice project at Senior Connections in collaboration with Serve Virginia, AmeriCorps Seniors and research grantees Virginia Tech and VCU Center on Society and Health. Photovoice trains and puts cameras in the hands of AmeriCorps Seniors across Virginia to enable them to share their experiences, perspectives, and stories of volunteerism through the use of photography and discussion. Here is one of the pictures Eddie shared, along with the caption she wrote:

“Letters: These are my letters, I write letters for kids that are 2-4 years old. I don’t see kids as a pen pal, so this is my experience. Sometimes kids will send me back letters and artwork that they have made.”

RICKETTSFRAN10131--C-CAP Director Fran Ricketts 10/24/2013 MATT ARMSTRONG PHOTO

Denise Bland

Story of Service: Denise Bland

The Virginia Community Healthcare Association recently named Denise Bland Volunteer of the Year for her work with the Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc. Denise's efforts helped to expand primary care to eight locations offering a wide range of services including primary medical care, dental care, behavioral health services, pharmacy assistance services, pediatrics, and a robust school dental program. She has served Eastern Shore Rural Health as board president for 17 years through June 25, 2019. When Eastern Shore Rural Health first began in 1976, the organization’s focus was to make primary care more accessible to people living on...

Averett University

Story of Service: Averett University

Congratulations to Averett University of Danville - winner of the 2019 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Educational Institution! Service is woven into the fabric of Averett University. Averett’s mission is to prepare students to serve and lead as catalysts for positive change. The university’s Center for Community Engagement and Career Competitiveness (CCECC) is a primary example of their dedication to service. CCECC is an innovative program which serves as a facilitator for pairing volunteers from Averett, Danville Community College, and Piedmont Community College with local organizations such as God’s Storehouse, the Boys & Girls Club of the Dan...

Martin Novak

Story of Service: Martin Novak

Martin Novak was recently retired and looking for opportunities to volunteer in Northern Virginia when he discovered Volunteer Fairfax and their AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Northern Virginia program through a Google search. He applied to the program and recalls, "I was initially overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices of volunteer activities available. Ultimately, I settled on the four that I’ve gotten involved in: Farmers Market, Junior Achievement Finance Centers, providing music therapy at Insight Memory Care Centers, and Welcome Wednesdays at Volunteer Fairfax." A resident of Fairfax County for the past 32 years, Martin enjoys giving back to his community. He reflects,...

Louisa County Public Schools

Story of Service: Louisa County Public Schools

Louisa County Public Schools (LCPS) is a beacon of excellence in a small-town, rural setting. LCPS serves as the cornerstone of the community, entrusted with the vital task of educating the youth of Louisa County. Committed to preparing students for a rapidly changing world, LCPS serves students in four elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The school division's dedication to academic excellence extends to include volunteerism and community service, positively impacting the lives of people across the county. Between July 2022 and June 2023, more than 200 students and 100 staff members participated in a clean-up initiative,...

Frank and Mae Antkievicz

Story of Service: Frank and Mae Antkievicz

For more than 20 years, Frank and Mae Antkievicz have volunteered with the English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Hanover County. Of the more than 40,000 people living in Hanover County, approximately 4.5% speak languages other than English. An inability to speak English affects residents’ lives in many ways, especially for work and education. Without ESL programs, many would be unable to truly become connected with the community in which they live. Starting their service as ESL volunteers and assistants, they now run the program serving as both directors and teachers. During their...

James Monroe High School Key Club

Story of Service: James Monroe High School Key Club

Students from James Monroe High School (JMHS) in Fredericksburg, Virginia, have been participating in Ceili Leahy Day of Service events since the fall of 2016, and these events have become a tradition for JMHS students to serve. In 2024, when the opportunity to serve on 9/11 Day of Remembrance presented itself, students from JMHS showed up in force for the after-school service project. Forty-six student volunteers from JMHS served the Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank for 9/11 National Day of Service, decorating over 200 cardboard boxes that will be used for the Food Bank’s Emergency Food Assistance Program that helps provide...

What’s Your Volunteer Personality?

Pair your passion with purpose. Take our Volunteer Personality Quiz and find out which volunteer direction is best for you.