Suzy Renz believes volunteering is learned in the home.

A native Dallasite and neighborhood resident, Renz grew up watching her parents and grandparents volunteer in the community. As a volunteer for Turtle Creek Manor, she continues that family tradition.

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“Volunteering has always been a part of my life,” she says. “It just seemed the natural thing to do.”

Her father contributed pro bono legal services while her mother was active in the Junior League of Dallas. Her grandfather, Roscoe Thomas, received the prestigious Linz Award in 1957, honoring his volunteer efforts

Renz became a Turtle Creek Manor volunteer three years ago after registering with the Volunteer Center’s SkillBank. The program matches the skills and talents of prospective volunteers with agencies that need help completing short-term projects.

Her first call was from Turtle Creek Manor, an agency that provides residential and outpatient treatment for individuals diagnosed with mental illness or chemical dependency. The agency was seeking a volunteer with an accounting background, and Renz agreed to help.

She spent two months tracking down and making follow-up phone calls to former clients of Turtle Creek Manor. Her organizational skills were put to good use as she compiled the necessary information for funding reports.

Cathy Stringer, director of finance and administration for the agency, knew she hit a volunteer gold mine in Renz.

“Suzy is a rarity in a world that is becoming more and more self-centered every day,” Stringer says. “She is thorough, meticulous, friendly, cheerful and hopeful.”

After completing the project, Renz decided to continue helping at the agency. She now volunteers two days a week and has contributed more than 1,000 hours since 1993.

When asked what she does for Turtle Creek Manor, Renz answers: “Everything! Whatever they ask me to do.”

Her long list of duties includes answering the telephone, preparing documentation for government funding and grants, writing thank-you notes, compiling procedure manuals, researching bids, and ordering office supplies. She enjoys completing the administrative tasks that many volunteers avoid.

“I’m a person with many different interests,” Renz says. “I love volunteering for Turtle Creek Manor because I never know what I’m going to do.”

Shopping for Christmas gifts for residents has become one of her favorite volunteer jobs. Each December, Renz uses donated funds to purchase dishes, pots and pans, silverware, calendars, and other necessary items. She buys the gifts and wraps them so they can be given to clients.

“Many of these people don’t have families or anywhere to go,” Renz says. “It’s a big job, but I enjoy providing Christmas gifts for them.”

In addition to her weekly duties for Turtle Creek Manor, Renz serves as treasurer for the agency’s board of directors. She also teaches weekly classes for five- and six-year-olds at the Dallas Aquarium, sings in her church choir and actively participates in a garden club.

“Everyone in the community benefits from Suzy’s efforts,” Stringer says. “As long as Turtle Creek Manor continues to help clients accept responsibility for their lives and become productive citizens, the community benefits. Suzy is a large part of this effort.”

Stringer invites other volunteers to join the effort at Turtle Creek Manor. Volunteers especially are needed weekdays to help with clerical duties, such as answering telephones and filing. Volunteers can work half-day or full-day shifts.

Plumbers and computer technicians also are needed to serve as on-call agency volunteers. Volunteer plumbers are needed to repair sinks and toilets when problems arise. Computer technicians and programmers are needed to provide assistance when computers fail and to help answer questions.

For information about these and other volunteer opportunities, call the Volunteer Center at 826-6767.