Volunteer Spotlight – Mary Roberts

 

 

Meet Mary Roberts, an inspiring member of our Mercy Brown Bag Program (MBBP) family. Mary joined us as a volunteer during the early days of COVID-19 and has been a vital part of our team for over four years. Her journey is a beautiful blend of personal dedication, a career in law, caregiving, world travel, and a commitment to community service that shines through in all she does.

A Rich Life of Service and Family

After a long, fulfilling career in law, Mary retired about a decade ago to care for her mother, who had Alzheimer’s. She describes those years as humbling and eye-opening, helping her learn firsthand about the challenges and rewards of caregiving. Alongside her caregiving duties, Mary continued to share her expertise by volunteering as a legal mentor and even traveled extensively when she could. Most recently, she has been working with Afghan women attorneys who sought refuge in the U.S. following the Taliban’s return to power—an effort that highlights Mary’s dedication to empowering others.

Family is central to Mary’s life. Her heart is with her two sons, two grandsons, her daughters-in-law, and a cherished extended family in Hawaii and beyond.

Why Mary Joined MBBP

Mary’s connection to MBBP has deep roots. Her mother spent her last days at Mercy’s rehab center in 2019, and seeing the kindness and compassion her mother received left a lasting impression on Mary. When COVID-19 struck and she saw a call for MBBP volunteers in the AARP magazine, she felt a strong sense of purpose to give back to the organization that had supported her mother during her final days. It felt, as Mary says, “preordained.”

The Many Hats Mary Wears at MBBP

Mary’s role at MBBP has evolved over the years. During the height of COVID-19, she focused on bagging and delivering groceries to seniors in their homes, ensuring they had access to essentials during a time of heightened isolation. Today, you can often find Mary at the MBBP Grocery Store, where seniors come to choose fresh produce, meat, eggs, cooking oil, and other necessities. Her tasks range from stocking shelves to sorting and bagging food—a role she says has notably improved her box-breaking skills!

 

 

A Memorable Moment: Connection and Gratitude

Among her cherished memories, one stands out: delivering groceries to a senior woman during the pandemic who later shared that her daughter was moving back home to care for her. Knowing that the senior would now have the support of her family brought Mary a deep sense of joy and fulfillment, underscoring the impact of MBBP’s work in building connections and support systems.

Why Volunteering Matters

For Mary, volunteering at MBBP is more than a way to give back—it’s about being part of a team that shares a purpose. She appreciates how easy MBBP’s volunteer sign-up system makes it to balance volunteering with her other commitments and finds that the “workout” involved in her tasks is better than any gym session!

Mary’s Advice for New Volunteers

To anyone considering joining the MBBP team, Mary has some wise words: “Volunteering is good for the soul, and the workout is better than going to a gym. If you’re fortunate enough to be physically able to volunteer, don’t hesitate to join the team! Do it now, while you can!”

Thank you, Mary, for all you do for Mercy Brown Bag Program. Your dedication, compassion, and energy inspire us all!