Jan Volunteer of the Month - Joan Rocho

We have an amazing community of volunteers who faithfully and generously give their time and energy to serve seniors throughout Boulder County. In an effort to recognize their work, and so that our entire community can get to know our volunteers, we started our Volunteer of the Month award program.

We’re happy to introduce you to Joan Rocho, our January 2019 Volunteer of the Month. Joan has been volunteering in our office for almost ten years. She’s a staff favorite and we appreciate her contributions that help keep our office running well. Read on and get to know Joan.

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Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Then my husband got a job down in one of the car dealerships in Denver. So we moved down to Lakewood from Cheyenne. I think it was in ‘68, we moved up to Boulder. So I’ve been in Boulder for quite awhile.

What was your childhood ambition?

I really didn’t have any. I was raised on a ranch. We always had a lot of chores. My sister and I worked in the summer herding sheep. From about eight o’clock in the morning until three or four o’clock in the afternoon. That was our summertime job. New mamas and new lambs. You had to keep your eyes on them all the time because they could wander off. But the newborns, they didn’t wander very far or very fast. That was our summer-time job. We didn’t get paid much, but back in those days, it was a lot of money to a 13-year old kid.

What was your proudest moment?

Having a son grow up to be a wonderful young man. That I feel was a big accomplishment. Especially in the era that he grew up in. Very proud of him.

What are you most passionate about?

My dog. Misty. Little misty. She’s a Yorkie-Bichon mix. She’s a good little dog. She weighs about 15-16 pounds. She doesn’t shed. That’s the Bichon in her. She’s good company for me.

What is one of your hobbies?

I make a lot of baby hats. I crochet. The gift shop at Boulder Community Hospital sells them. I donate what I make to the gift shop. They sell them. It goes for a good cause.

What would your perfect day look like?

Everyday is a perfect day. At 88 you can’t have a bad day. That’s the way I look at it.

What’s one item on your bucket list?

Someday I’d like to go back to Hawaii. I know that’ll never happen again. But that’s what I’d like to do. To go back to Hawaii.

What do you like about Hawaii?

I liked the climate. I like the Hawaiian music. The people themselves are really friendly. The first time we went, my sister and her husband went with us. And her friend worked for Island Holidays, a big hotel. She arranged our whole trip. I mean, we had the best. We saw things that the average tourist never sees. It was really a great trip.

What words would you want to describe your legacy?

Good. I’m a good person. I’m an honest person.

Who or what inspires you?

Me. I inspire me. I do what I want to do when I want to do it how I want to do it. Therefore, I get along with me.

Why do you volunteer?

I volunteer to keep my mind active. I’m not one to sit in a chair all day long.

Who is someone who’s made a significant impact on your life?

A lot of people have impacted my life. Sharon (our Director of Operations!) for one. I have some very wonderful friends who I have been friends with since 1968. They’re clients here. I love everybody. But Sharon is really a great person. She really is. I hope they never let her get out of here. There’s been a lot of them that come and go but Sharon has been absolutely the best. So I hope she sticks around. She does a good job. I like everybody here. They’re all very friendly.

Volunteering with us is easy, flexible and fun! Join our volunteer team today and, like Joan, make a deep impact in the lives of your senior neighbors.