Oral History

As part of WDET’s program of community outreach, producer Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Since her retirement… lifelong Detroit resident Ms. Patricia Carter has selflessly dedicated her time and energy to the city. She volunteers with Detroit Center for Aging, Focus Hope, and Habitat for Humanity… just to name a few. Carter is a tireless advocate for her Westside community and says her volunteerism began with a simple phone call.

As part of WDET’s program of community outreach, producer Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Jackie Love started volunteering at an early age in the church. She began to serve on the scholarship committee at her church and still continues to. She also does volunteer work with her sorority and has served on its homeless committee.

As part of WDET’s program of community outreach, producer Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Reverend Dr. Lawrence Glenn has been involved with volunteering for a long time. He helped to organize several programs at his church to help foster a community. In 1993 he was called to serve on the executive board of Presbyterian Villages of Michigan. Dr. Glenn’s efforts have caused him to receive a few awards, including the diversity award in 2007.

As part of WDET’s program of community outreach, producer Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Mary Simpson has lived in Detroit for about 74 years. She has been contributing to the area for a long time. She says volunteering comes naturally and that her family (especially her father) motivates her to help out. Some of her service and leadership roles have included being a Block Captain and President of the Quincy Avenue Block Club and a founding member of the Blue-Collar Workers of America. She currently works with Oakman Boulevard Community Association.

As part of WDET’s program of community outreach, producer Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Francis Parker went from being a school principal to being a hospice volunteer. She considers herself a patient advocate. She has written a book, has a website and a blog—all putting her experiences as a hospice volunteer into perspective. The experiences have changed Ms. Parker and she believes she has become a better person because of them.

As part of WDET’s program of community outreach, producer Mike Blank and the Hannan House have been collecting and producing oral histories from senior citizens throughout the region. This collection focuses on Seniors’ contribution to communities through volunteering.

Eleanor Anderson is a retired school teacher that loves to volunteer around the city. She has been a Historical Museum volunteer for over 3 decades, has volunteered for the United States Coast Guard, and is a member of the Detroit Association of Black Storytellers.

OUTRO:

The words of life long Detroiter Eleanor Anderson.