Featured Volunteers
Volunteer Spotlight-Adam Gaub
Adam is a rare native Arizonian. He, however, has actually never lived in Maricopa. Adam and his lovely wife Janne live in Chandler and commute. He has worked here since November of 2006. He started at the Tribune and then became the Managing Editor of the Maricopa Monitor in April of 2008. We were very lucky to have Adam join our Board of Directors in the fall of 2008. He had also helped as a volunteer picking up the bread at Costco in Chandler daily and bringing it with him as he commutes in to work to Maricopa.
When asked why he wanted to be involved with FOR, Adam stated that, my faith drives me to serve others, and I have been blessed with good health and strength and want to give back. Although it is not always convenient, it is important. I want to be involved beyond the headlines. I have always had a desire to help out in my community. I currently help out through my church and have gone on mission trips when I was in college.
There is a great need in our community and I have been truly amazed how much has been accomplished with FOR and how many peoplehave come together to help and how this community has embraced FOR.
I am sad to tell all of you that we are going to lose Adam and his wife to the East coast. I have really enjoyed working with Adam and have really appreciated all the very positive and factual coverage he has given issues in this town in the press. I have also appreciated all he has done for FOR. He has certainly made sure that we got great exposure in the press. We thank him for that and all the hard work he put both on the Board of Directors and as a volunteer. We wish he and his wife well in their new endeavors.
In Memory: Jim Grandfield
Jim Grandfield, one of our very valued volunteers passed away on February 19th. Jim touched many lives during his 75 years here on earth. He was born in Ohio, and then moved to Arizona in 1984. He served in the Army in the Korean War. He held many notable positions that include 10 years as director of the National Association of Social Workers, AZ chapter. He was also very active as a hiker and tennis player.
After moving to Maricopa from Tempe, he and his wife Carol helped organize the "Copa Seniors Group" where he followed his belief that we all need to be connected to one another. Jim volunteered at the food bank almost every Monday. He struggled with his emphysema daily but really seemed to enjoy his time chatting with the other volunteers as he put the bread and vegetables in bags getting it ready for distribution. Then as quietly as he would slide in each Monday he would slide out without notice after he had done all he could do that day.
Jim is survived by his wife Carol and his five children, 2 step children, 8 grandchildren 2 great-grandchildren and many friends who will miss him greatly.
We thank him for all his time, help and his friendship at the food bank.