You wouldn’t think an 84-year-old would want to get up and go to school every day, but that’s just what Mary Rimpson of Benton Harbor does.
This summer, she was recognized for 21 years of service as a Foster Grandparent volunteer serving in Benton Harbor Area Schools.
“The students are lovely. I hardly miss a day,” Mary said.
As one of the longest-serving volunteers, she has moved schools and classrooms quite a bit, but for the last few years she’s been serving in a first-grade classroom at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary.
Foster grandparents are volunteers over the age of 55 that provide one-on-one attention to students who need a little extra help.
“I’ve done everything and gone everywhere with them. You get to have so much fun and go places too. Field trips to the apple orchard, you name it, I’ve done it,” Mary said.
She started as a foster grandparent after she retired because one of her aunts was doing it.
“It sounded like fun, and I had already been working with the schools since my oldest daughter was old enough to be in school,” she said.
Mary volunteered as a Cub Scout mom, popped popcorn at Benton Harbor High School football games, and attended as many of her grand and great grandchildren’s sporting events as she could.
She graduated from Benton Harbor High School, too, and has lived in Benton Harbor for 72 years. She’s lived with her daughter and son-in-law since the COVID-19 pandemic, but still gets up and drives herself to school every day.
“I love doing it because I want the children to have more than I had. I want there to be progress,” Mary said.
She said she often tells the students about what it was like when she was in school, like not having a bus and having to walk, or having to pay for a school lunch as now meals at school are free.
“I taught them how to jump rope. ‘Grandma, you can do that?’ Yes – that’s all we had to play with,” she said.
The students fondly call her grandma whether she’s at school or they see her around town.
She said she hopes she can continue to be a Foster Grandparent volunteer for many more years.
“If I can get up and drive myself, I’ll be there. If something happens, I’ll be very thankful I did it that long,” Mary said. “What I really like is helping somebody that needs a grandmama in their life.”
Currently, the Foster Grandparent program is looking for volunteers to serve in schools in Berrien Springs, Hartford, Millburg, Niles, South Haven and Watervliet.
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a Foster Grandparent, or getting involved with any of our volunteer programs at Area Agency on Aging, visit https://areaagencyonaging.org/ and click “Get Involved” or give us a call at 269-983-7058.
Can’t find an opportunity that aligns with how you want to give back? We can work with you to come up with a volunteer opportunity that fits your interest and availability.
Alexandra Newman is the communications and outreach coordinator for the Region IV Area Agency on Aging in Southwest Michigan. Interested in having an AAA representative speak to your group or organization? Email alexandranewman@areaagencyonaging.org. Questions on age or independence services? Call the Info-Line for Aging & Disability at 800-6542810. The Generations column appears each weekend in The Herald-Palladium.