Lou is one of those special volunteers that always says "yes" to a request for assistance. A highly active 80 years 'young' individual, Lou gives most of his time in service to others through the AmeriCorps Senior Senior Companion program where he has served for more than ten years.
As a Vietnam Era Veteran, serving 8 years in the U.S. Navy, his fellow veterans have a special place in Lou’s heart.
Lou has amassed some 12,9951 visiting clients who range in ages from 51 to 102 and who have diagnosis ranging from Parkinson’s disease to Alzheimer’s to visual impairments. Lou selflessly provides friendship to individuals who are homebound with supportive services such as respite care, rides to doctor appointments and grocery shopping, and running other errands.
Lou has also been a Senior Companion Volunteer Leader for over 6 years. In this volunteer capacity, he promotes the Senior Companion program, assists with recruitment and training, and helps match Senior Companion volunteers with compatible clients who need support.
He also serves as a Board Member on the Veteran’s Committee of Wyoming Legal Aid. He is instrumental in assisting with outreach events that provide 50 veterans with end of life documents (this is a new initiative so it is certain that there will be many more veterans assisted in the future).
Lou is an active member of the American Post 6 Honor Guard, providing services at funerals for veterans (which can be as often as 4 times a week) and participates in any area of need, such as flag bearer or assisting with the 21-gun salute.
For 7 years, Lou also hosted an Alzheimer’s support group meeting, helping countless caregivers cope with family members suffering with Alzheimer’s.
Lou is an advocate and a hero to his clients by going the extra mile to take care of them. Words that have been shared to describe Lou are dependable, professional, patient, friendly, warm, and empathetic. He most definitely has a positive impact on the people he serves. Clients have stated that they truly would not know what they would do without Lou’s visits every week. Lou's service also gives a peace of mind to family members who know that their loved one is well cared for.
Lou has earned numerous accolades and awards for his countless military and selfless volunteer service that include:
- President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his Senior Companion volunteer service, pinned by Governor of Wyoming;
- Wyoming Jefferson Award for Volunteerism nomination in 2016 and 2020 (top four finalist); and
- Spotlighted in Senior Corps video titled, “Healthy Volunteers".