April 21-27, 2024 is National Volunteer Week! Please join us as we thank the wonderful volunteers who help us fulfill our mission: To improve the quality of life of individuals and their families living with MS and related neurological diseases through care, support, education and research. #NVW
John Timbrook has been a wonderful and dedicated volunteer for our Hydrotherapy Program since 1999 after he retired from Lockheed Martin and talked with a friend who was volunteering with the program.
“At the very first Hydrotherapy session I attended, I was immediately impressed by the dedication and energy of the volunteers, and the positive attitude and efforts required by the participants in the program,” said John. “I became immediately hooked by the people!”
John volunteers at the Ahmar Recreation Center on Fridays and the Englewood Recreation Center on Tuesdays, with Physical Therapist Michele Harrison who leads RMMSC’s Hydrotherapy Program. “Over the years I have formed lasting friendships with the people in the program,” says John. “It is very rewarding to see the benefits they get from exercise they can do in the pool that they could not do otherwise.”
John is always available to help with all aspects of the program, transporting equipment, assisting other volunteers and participants, helping with the organization of the snack room, bringing forth ideas for equipment, and even repairing things that have broken.
“John’s value to the Hydrotherapy Program is immeasurable,” says Michele Harrison. “John has always been so helpful with whatever he saw needed to be done to help the group run smoothly. And he quickly became a leader among the volunteers. His quiet but consistent presence is integral to the day-to-day running of the Hydro program. I remember going to an event at his church where even his minister mentioned the powerful work John does with the Hydrotherapy program and participants. He said that John mentioned it was part of his ministry.”
“John is kind, a great team member, organized, efficient and irreplaceable to the program,” says Michele. “Thank you so much, John for over a quarter century of service to the hydrotherapy program and participants. We couldn’t do it without YOU!”
Huge gratitude to you, John! Thank you for all you do to support our Hydrotherapy Program and participants!
If you’re interested in volunteering for Hydrotherapy, please reach out to Sarah at ssin@mscenter.org.
For more information on National Volunteer Week, visit Points of Light.