Before Ooltewah resident Joanna DeJong retired she knew she didn’t want to be like her grandmothers, who spent their days sitting in a chair after hitting the 65-year-old mark.
Instead, 72-year-old DeJong spends approximately 15 hours a week volunteering at the Samaritan Center, leading the first sorting group that goes through incoming items for the thrift store.
“She is here Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday every week for over five hours a day, and she doesn’t like to take breaks,” said Samaritan Center Volunteer and Programs Coordinator Jessica Parks.
In addition to her regular duties as a volunteer, Parks said DeJong trains new volunteers and fills in for the center’s receptionist during her lunch breaks.
“She [DeJong] gives a lot of herself to the Samaritan Center,” said Parks.
A retired school counselor, DeJong and her husband Ron moved back to the Chattanooga area in 2006 after living in South Dakota for 15 years. Shortly after moving back, they got involved with the Samaritan Center by checking puzzles for missing pieces and have been active volunteers ever since.
“It’s important to keep busy as you retire so you don’t slow down,” said DeJong. “I want to do something constructive, important and challenging.”
According to her, the best thing about volunteering at the center is that every day is different and there is a wide variety of things to do. Especially with sorting, there is never a dull moment, she said.
“There is so much that needs to be done,” said DeJong. “And it’s very fulfilling work. You know you’re getting stuff to people who need it when they need help.”
DeJong’s compassionate outreach isn’t just for the clients, but also for those who work alongside her.
“I’ve always believed that everyone needs positive feedback,” she said. “If I can give someone a positive comment or a smile, it’s good for me and it’s good for them.”