THE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA (INC.)
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Jean's Story
Jean Kelly is 81 years of age and hopes what she calls (her small contribution) will help others and assist in the funds required for research to find a cure for MS.
Jean commenced volunteering in 1983 for the Red Cross, co-ordinating a trolley service and kiosk for the Hostel and Nursing Home at the Association for the Blind which had over 100 residents. It operated twice weekly, Jean purchased the stock, did personal shopping for the residents that had no relatives or were visually impaired.
Jean now assists with the Mail appeal and reads the Community Newspapers from Gingin to Mandurah and records articles about Guide Dogs for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Jean now runs the Food Centre in Carlisle, primarily the fruit & vegetable section. She orders the produce from the Canning vale Markets every Monday and opens the shop at 4.30am each Wednesday to receive, check & price all the orders which arrive at 5am in a refrigerated truck. All the produce is then weighed from the crates and cases then arranged on the shelves by 8am. Jean’s hobby is gardening, so she donates pot plants for the stall each week, the funds raised are used for Welfare and Chaplains in the local schools.
In addition to this she has been working here at the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Western Australia for 26 years in our Mail Room. She also makes knee rugs & hot water bottle covers for our fundraising.
Jean also trims stamps for the Victoria Park Rotary Club after her dinner most evenings while listening to Classical music which she loves. Half of her garage is filled with newspapers from family, friends and neighbours, these are sold to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy & the Inland Mission.
Part of the enjoyment Jean gets from her garden is taking cut flowers to friends & people in aged care facilities.
Jean door knocks for the Red Cross & the Heart Foundation each year.
As you can see Jean is a wonderful lady with a big heart, she is 81 years of age and hopes what she calls (her small contribution) will help others and assist in the funds required for research to find a cure for MS, more facilities for the blind & vision impaired & help others who are disadvantaged in our community.
I think that Jean would be a very worthy recipient of the Australia day Awards 2010.
Kind Regards
Suzanne Bradbury
Co-ordinator of Volunteers
The MS Society of Western Australia
About Us
MSWA is dedicated to supporting people with MS and their families.
Through the provision of a range of supports and services.