Passionate, outgoing Ann, 88, has been a Boulder resident for more than 30 years and has volunteered with Boulder County AIDS Project (BCAP) for the last 27 years.
The first time you meet Ann, she will tell you without hesitation why she volunteers with BCAP. “I’m blessed with a gay son and gay nephew. They are my inspiration. I never turned my son or nephew away for coming out.”
She volunteers with BCAP two days a week where she works the front desk as a greeter and helps with the intake of the clients and food bank. When Ann was first widowed more than 30 years ago, she looked for a sense of purpose as she grieved the loss of her husband and their life together. Now, volunteering at BCAP is her life’s passion.
“There was a lot of discomfort in the beginning of the AIDS crisis,” explains Ann. “Fortunately my son and nephew are both safe. I wanted to volunteer because I knew that it could be my son or nephew needing help. So when I volunteer I treat our clients how I would want my “sons” to be treated–with love, kindness, respect and comfort.”
Three years ago Ann damaged her foot in a fall and could no longer drive or walk long distances, jeopardizing her meaningful volunteer work. “I thought if I can’t volunteer I would lose my purpose.” Then she heard about Via through residents at Presbyterian Manor, where she currently lives.
Since her injury, Via’s paratransit program has taken Ann to volunteer at BCAP. “I don’t know what I would do without Via,” says Ann. “The drivers are wonderful.”