Food service employees at University Village have a chance to better themselves thanks to the residents’ all-volunteer scholarship committee that awarded more than $10,000 last year.

“We are just trying to help some of the young people. Some of the people want to further their education but just don’t have the money,” said Terry Taylor, 82, a member of the 2-year-old committee.

“Why should they wait tables for the rest of their lives?”

The money is raised by the residents through donations and events such as fashion shows, card parties and rummage sales.

“I’m what they call a grunt. I’m the one that when they need something done, they call on me,” said Taylor, a widow who has lived at the retirement center for seven years.

The 15 employees receiving scholarships agree to pay half their tuition and keep at least a C average. The scholarship fund also pays for their books. They can attend any accredited postsecondary institution.

Employees are studying to be chefs, nurses and pharmacists or to earn a business degree. Each has a mentor, a University Village resident who has a college degree.

Michael Reid, 20, a waiter and scholarship recipient, is in the prepharmacy program at the University of South Florida.

“This relieves the financial burden of going to school,” Reid said. “I’m really thankful.”

His mentor, Hank Vollewe, also plays an important role.

“He gives me advice - sometimes studying tips and some life advice,” said Reid, who graduated in 2003 from Tampa Bay Tech.

Taylor, who has two daughters, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, said the volunteer work keeps her active and engaged.

“You just keep busy. Who wants to just sit in their apartment?” Taylor said.

This entry was posted by Taman Siswa on Friday, August 25, 2006 at 12:50 am and is filed under Education News, Scholarship. Tags: College, Education News, Scholarship, Study, . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.