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For the past 39 years, Joel and his family have called DeKalb County home, investing their time, energy, and resources to make their community a better place. They were initially drawn to support the Voluntary Action Center (VAC) because of its invaluable senior services, including affordable transportation and meal programs that address fundamental needs in the community.
Joel and his family have taken active roles in various VAC initiatives. Their volunteer efforts have included driving for Meals on Wheels and MedVac, ensuring seniors receive essential services. In addition, Joel has deepened his commitment by serving on the VAC board, helping to guide the organization’s impact and growth.
For Joel and his family, philanthropy is rooted in values of independence and community care. “We believe everyone should be able to live independently for as long as possible, and VAC helps make that possible,” they explain. Their guiding principles reflect a deep commitment to fostering service-oriented, compassionate assistance for those in need, seeing VAC as a vital partner in addressing gaps for seniors while empowering volunteers to make a difference.
When asked about the role of donors and community members, Joel emphasizes that support for VAC is the lifeblood of its success. “The services by VAC are possible through grants and many donors generously giving of their time and wealth. The more community members involved, the more we can provide for meal supplies, staff for driving seniors to appointments, and ensure meals are cooked and delivered.” Joel’s commitment shines through in his pride for past projects, particularly his financial contributions toward kitchen upgrades at VAC’s Sycamore site and supporting infrastructure needs, like the transportation building and new vehicles.
Looking forward, Joel hopes other donors see the incredible value of VAC’s services, sharing, “We hope VAC continues for many decades serving seniors.” He sees a bright future with the dedicated VAC team and envisions a thriving organization well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of DeKalb County’s aging population.
For those considering a partnership with VAC, Joel offers practical wisdom: “Donating to VAC is important as you may experience with aging family members or yourself someday needing these vital services. I did for my parents who needed rides to appointments.” He stresses the urgency of this support now, as funding gaps at state and federal levels are straining local services.
Joel’s final message is a heartfelt appeal: “Please consider donating to VAC in your year-end giving and make it a habit to contribute funds or volunteer your time throughout the year.” With advocates like Joel and his family, VAC remains resilient and ready to serve those in need across DeKalb County.