President's Message

by Steve Bissonnette

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month. Each year we take this opportunity to highlight the volunteer spirit upon which this organization was established 41 years ago and hold our Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. This is a time to recognize and thank all VISTE volunteers and shine a spotlight on a few of the outstanding individuals and groups that personify the spirit of volunteerism. We hope you will be as inspired as we are by the volunteer award recipients . . .

Celebrating Our Volunteers

by Bethany Masters, Volunteer and Events Manager

“To enable seniors to stay safely and independently in their own home”

What a large job that is. However, VISTE volunteers make it look easy and demonstrate daily that anything is possible when you work together and lead with your heart.

The Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon is a small way that we are able to say THANK YOU for your hard work, dedication, and love. If you were in attendance, you made our day! . . .

Ruffin Gray - Dr. Sam Clark Volunteer of the Year Award

VISTE Hot Meal Drivers - Elfried Pennekamp Memorial Award

Lorrie Prince and Marilyn Connally - Robert Smith Memorial Award

Endowment Update

by Dorothy Blackwell, Development Manager

We have exciting news to share! Just over two years ago Paula and Tom Mims hosted the “VISTE is Blooming!” event to announce the establishment of VISTE’s first Endowment Fund. The goal of the Fund is to generate a steady and reliable source of funding to help support VISTE’s mission – to enable elderly persons to remain safe and independent in their own homes. Thanks to generous contributions from the community and a matching gift from the George Jenkins Foundation, VISTE’s Endowment Fund has now reached its first milestone – $1M!! We couldn’t be more excited and grateful. THANK YOU to everyone who helped make this possible.

Polk County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country, and the need for essential services for local seniors continues . . .

Click to watch this inspiring video by Board Member Angel Davis! Angel shares her thoughts on VISTE, our mission, and "The VISTE Way." 

VISTE Volunteer Group Highlights

The VISTE Hot Meals program began 25 years ago and now delivers nutritious meals to approximately 470 VISTE clients twice each week, year-round! Sue Potter is VISTE's part-time Hot Meals Coordinator, and a large group of dedicated volunteers helps make this happen.



Florida Southern Guest Services prepares food in bulk and delivers it to First Presbyterian Church, where VISTE volunteers portion out meals for delivery. Volunteer "runners" take the meals in insulated bags to volunteer drivers in the "pick-up line" outside. The drivers then deliver hot meals to "their" clients.

At the recent Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, two volunteers were sitting at the same table and started chatting. They discovered that both of them delivered to the same clients - one on Tuesdays and one on Thursdays! Needless to say, they had a spirited conversation after that!

VISTE’s Hot Meal program benefits clients who are unable to cook for themselves and often makes the difference in being able to stay in their own homes or having to move into institutional care. Congratulations to our Hot Meal volunteers for being honored as this year’s recipients of the Elfried Pennekamp Memorial Award, and to EVERYONE who helps make this program possible!

June is for Personal Care Boxes!

In June, VISTE volunteers deliver 400 care boxes to our clients that are filled with bathing soaps, kitchen cleaners, and other necessities. These care boxes are so helpful to our clients and such a great way for volunteers to spread love throughout our area. If you would like to donate items from our VISTE WISH LIST, be sure your gifts arrive no later than May 10^th.  

Please reach out to Bethany at Bethany@viste.org or call 863.284.0828. 

Thanks to our Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Sponsors!