GLENDALE, AZ — A Valley nonprofit is looking for volunteers to help people in the community who are home-bound get around.
According to leaders at Duet: Partners in Health and Aging, the highest need for volunteers is in south Scottsdale and south Glendale. Right now, there are 75 people in need.
Marge Bowsher and Carol Becker met a little more than a year ago through Duet.
"We've become friends,” said Bowsher.
After losing part of her eyesight, Bowsher had to give up driving. She lives alone in her apartment and says she signed up for Duet because she couldn't continue to rely on family to transport her everywhere.
Becker volunteers to drive Bowsher to doctor appointments and takes her grocery shopping, which are the most common needs for neighbors who use Duet.
Duet pairs volunteers with people who live nearby. The nonprofit recruits volunteers to give rides, help with home repairs, answer technology questions, help do paperwork or simply have a friendly conversation.
"It just makes my life easier. We all look for easy ways to get around this crazy world. I just have to call and they're very dependable,” said Bowsher.
"It's really made a difference to my life. I have never had anyone that I've taken anywhere that hasn't been super grateful, and that makes me feel good about what I'm doing, too,” said Becker.
The services are free for Bowsher, and for Becker, the experience has been invaluable.
"It's helped me enormously feel again like I'm helping people, which is what I did in my line of work. It helped fill a space in my heart, too,” said Becker.
If you're interested, there's an orientation Saturday, September 21, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Orangewood Presbyterian Church at 7321 N 10th St. in Phoenix.
Learn more about Duet here.
