Shani Zinn, of Niles, is a retired director at Dowagiac’s Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital and a current board member of the Lee Memorial Foundation, the hospital’s fundraising arm. She is helping to organize the foundation’s upcoming Beer and Wine Tasting event, which takes place from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 1, at the Blackmond’s Sesquicentennial Farm at Indian Lake.

 

 

How long have you been a member of the Lee Foundation board?

I’ve been on the board for three years. I was an employee of the hospital for 34 years before that.

 

What made you want to get involved?

I really believe in the concept of a community hospital, and I want it to do well. Any efforts I can lend to keep them successful is what I’m aiming for.

 

What kind of work do you do as a board member?

As a board member, our main thing is raising funds from the community for new hospital equipment, renovations for the hospital, and help them raise money. We have a couple of big functions every year.

 

What kind of work do you do for the Beer and Wine Tasting event?

I’m a subcommittee for that, where a couple of us, including [fellow foundation board member] Sue McCormick, help gather flowers. We make flower bouquets for the centerpieces for each table. We put together raffle baskets, so that we can contribute the money that those get. We help to decorate and plan the event. At the event itself, we will be at the registration area, trying to help that go smoothly.

 

Is there anything you’re helping with?

I personally am on the ant patrol. I have to make sure the ants don’t crawl up the legs of the table. After a great deal of research, I figured out the most technical way to do that, and that’s to pour ammonia around the legs of the table so the ants won’t crawl up. I did it the first year so now I’m in charge of it.

 

Are there any other community service
organizations you volunteer with?

I also volunteer with the Niles Salvation Army. I’ve been there close to four years, since I retired. I usually work in their kitchen, where we feed people in Niles three days a week. I help prepare and plan the food.

 

Why do you feel it’s important for people to volunteer and help out their community?

Everybody says this, but it really is true: no matter how much you give to the community or those people you can help, it actually helps the volunteer too. It gives you something to look forward to; it makes you feel good about yourself. It makes it worth getting up and doing something everyday.

 

Do you know a volunteer worthy of recognition? Nominate him or her as the Volunteer of the Week by calling Craig Haupert, community editor, at (269) 687-7720, or emailing him at craig.haupert@leaderpub.com.