Pati Bryan epitomizes selfless dedication to an often forgotten population. A volunteer with the Council on Aging since 2001, Pati began her service as a Friendly Visitor. Moving here from Maryland with her husband, Pati found herself with an empty nest and time on her hands. She was matched with a couple through the Friendly visitor program and though the husband has since passed, Pati still visits Alice each Wednesday. %u201CWe%u2019ve done really well together, and have gone through so much together. She [Alice] is ninety, has no family here, and couldn%u2019t stay in her home without someone looking out.%u201D
But, true to her spirit, Pati was not content to stop there. She expanded her care to the Council%u2019s adult daycare, the Retreat, where she now volunteers two days a week. Pati does it all. She cooks, cleans, does the laundry, mops the floors; no task is too small or too large. %u201CIt%u2019s a joy volunteering here. I look forward to Monday%u2019s and Friday%u2019s.%u201D
When asked what is the most rewarding part of being a volunteer with the Council, Pati pauses, reflecting. %u201CIt%u2019s the one on one with the clients, getting to know them, finding out what we have in common, what makes them smile.%u201D It is this passion for others that underscores Pati%u2019s invaluable role as a volunteer here. %u201CWe have a huge need here. We have an incredible team but there are so many more things to do. You don%u2019t have to be talented.%u201D Pati%u2019s commitment has not gone unnoticed. She has won volunteer of the county, of the state of Florida, and in 2012 she won the National Adult Day Services Association Volunteer Award, a national recognition that was awarded to Pati alone. %u201CI hold these awards dear, I am proud, but what I do every day here, this is more important.%u201D
We are grateful and fortunate that Pati has chosen to lend her humble devotion to this COA family! Thank you Pati!
2024 Council on Aging of West Florida
P.O. Box 17066
Pensacola, FL 32522
Phone: 850-432-1475
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