Volunteer Highlight: Katie Stewart
Volunteers are the heart of Island Senior Resources, bringing compassion and dedication to support seniors across our community. In this series, we share the stories and inspirations of those who lend their time and talents, spotlighting individuals whose service makes a lasting difference. Today, we are pleased to introduce Katie, whose passion and commitment exemplify what it means to serve.
Katie first started volunteering with Island Senior Resources before the pandemic, helping in the Bayview kitchen and becoming part of the rhythm of daily life at the center. When COVID-19 hit, she stepped back to focus on family, cherishing time with her daughter during pregnancy and the birth of her grandchild.
As a retired dentist and nurse, Katie eventually felt called to return in a way that used her medical background and her desire to guide others through challenging times. She believes strongly in paying it forward, helping people in their vulnerable moments because everyone needs support at some point in life.
Volunteering “feeds” her, as she puts it; while she is helping others, the connections she makes also nourish her own sense of purpose. She feels proud to be part of a support system that includes family members and caregivers, and treasures being able to offer both practical help and a listening ear.
For Katie, one of the most rewarding parts of volunteering is seeing people come full circle. They may first arrive at the lending library facing surgery, illness, or injury, unsure of what they will need. Later, they return with their equipment, standing a little taller, sometimes literally, because they have healed.
These moments remind her that the lending library is much more than wheelchairs or walkers; it is about walking alongside people on their health journeys. Each return visit is a quiet celebration of resilience, recovery, and community care.
Katie has been deeply moved by how generous the community is in supporting the Medical Equipment Lending Libraries, which rely entirely on donated equipment that is then loaned out at no cost. She often reflects that, even in moments of grief, people think to give so that others can benefit from equipment their loved ones no longer need.
She sees donated items as an expression of compassion that keeps the lending libraries going. She finds it heartwarming to know she is in a position to help, and because she feels fortunate to be able to give her time and skills, she chooses to keep showing up.