Nov Volunteer of the Month - Judy Moore

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 are pleased to introduce you to Judy Moore, our November Volunteer of the Month. Judy has been volunteering with Cultivate as a Medical Mobility driver for two and half years. This year alone she’s logged an astounding 230 hours of volunteer time, driving Longmont seniors to their medical appointments. Read on to get to know Judy.

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Where did you grow up?

Nebraska, originally. We moved to Colorado in 1961. So I’m almost a native Coloradan. There used to be license plates that said “Almost Native”.

What was your childhood ambition?

My sister says I wanted to be an opera singer because I inflicted my voice on my family. I don’t remember that. I remember wanting to be a dress designer or something glamorous. At the same time, I read a lot of books, including westerns. So I wanted to be a cowgirl, too.

What was your proudest moment?

When I think of things I’m particularly proud of, it’s my children and my grandchildren. I’m a real family person. Every achievement, every step they take, it’s so exciting. It fills me with pride that I may have had some formative part of that.

What is your greatest challenge?

I look at every day as a new day, and there’s always a challenge. There has to be something worth getting out of bed for. I think every day you look for something that challenges you and interests you. I can’t say I’ve ever had terrible challenges. You know, you lose parents. Those kinds of things are very difficult. But again, if you’re a positive and optimistic person, you look forward to the day ahead.

What’s one of your hobbies?

Travel is a big thing for me. I love international travel. I love reading. I haul my book wherever I go. I particularly like to have one with me when I’m driving clients because I don’t want them to feel like they have to rush. And I love spending time with my family. Those are big things in my life.

What would your perfect day look like?

We have three Boston terriers, and I love walking the doggies. My perfect day is a work out at the Y, walk my doggies, I’d drive for Cultivate, have lunch with my husband, walk the dogs again in the afternoon. Maybe spend some time with family in the evening. Maybe read a little bit. Those are nice days. Busy, but controlled busy.

What is one item on your bucket list?

When my husband and I retired we wanted to find a place to move to that had elbow room. Where we could enjoy our doggies and quiet walks. We found this house in Niwot on a little cul-de-sac. That was the thing that we both looked forward to the most. And we’re very happy where we are. My husband says, “The next time we move, it’ll be in a pine box and I’m not carrying it.” That was a sort-of bucket-list item for our retirement.

What three words would you want to describe your legacy?

I would like people to think of me as caring, loving, and wanting to make a difference, even in small ways.

Who or what inspires you?

What inspires me the most are people who demonstrate the things that I would like to emulate. Cultivate is a marvelous organization. They offer so much to people who really need it. And I like that. I like being associated with things like that, and with people like that. Positive, helping, and caring.

Do you have clients you drive regularly or do you pick up new people every time?

I pick up new people occasionally. But probably, for the most part, I’ve done the dialysis patients in Longmont. Sometimes, I was doing 2 or 3 drives a day for them — you know, picking up and taking home. They’ve gotten to be kind of like friends. I enjoy that.

Why do you volunteer?

I like to help. The transport is just a way of doing that—to share a day, share a laugh. For these people, particularly my dialysis people, who’ve gone through four hours of a medical procedure that’s left them pretty drained and they’re tired, it’s nice to talk to someone who has a laugh or a joke, who is interested in what you’re going to do for the afternoon, the weekend, or how your holiday was. That smile is the magic key to a relationship with people. And we can do that as drivers. I like that.

Who is a senior who made a significant impact on your life, and what is one lesson you learned from them?

I think there were probably three that I would mention. One would be my mother. One would be my mother-in-law, who I absolutely cherished. Then a very dear friend I met while I was working in the legal field. Those ladies all showed amazing strength, a sense of purpose, and incredible kindness. Those are the things I like seeing and experiencing.