Syd Jensen named SPAAR Hero for November 2017

REALTOR® Syd Jensen thinks “hero” is too strong a word to describe her community involvement. When she was growing up in small-town Nebraska, watching out for your neighbors was just something people did. But Syd’s volunteer work with Meals on Wheels, through her office—Coldwell Banker Burnet Shoreview/North Oaks—has made her a hero to the people this program serves. Syd was nominated for this award by other REALTORS® from her office.

Syd has volunteered as a delivery driver for Meals On Wheels for more than ten years, through her work and also with her church. At Coldwell Banker Burnet, she coordinates a “very dedicated group” of ten volunteer drivers from her office. She is active with the Sunshine Club in her office and always looks forward to bell ringing for the Salvation Army at Rosedale during REALTOR® Ring Day. (This year, REALTOR® Ring Day is Friday, December 8. Online registration for bell ringing can be found here).

Why do you volunteer?

Syd volunteers because she recognizes how important Meals On Wheels is to the individuals who are served. But volunteering also serves another important function: When Syd became a REALTOR®, she was advised to budget time for her business, time for herself and her family, and time to give back to the community. Because running your own business can be so consuming, it is important to keep yourself in balance. Syd says she still budgets her time, and regularly checks whether her schedule is balanced.

About Meals On Wheels…

Meals On Wheels is a nonprofit meal delivery service. Volunteer drivers deliver hot meals to persons who are physically challenged or are unable to prepare their own food. Volunteers have a fixed schedule and frequently build a connection with their clients. Volunteer drivers are also an important social connection for individuals who are housebound. In a medical emergency, the volunteer may be the first one to discover that a client needs assistance. In the Shoreview Area, Meals On Wheel is managed by the Mounds View School District. For more information or to get started as a volunteer, please call 651-621-7431.

SPAAR Hero is a program of SPAAR’s Community Engagement Committee, sponsored by SPAAR’s REALTORS® Charitable Foundation. Members of SPAAR’s Communications Committee interview and write the SPAAR Hero articles. If you think someone should be named a SPAAR Hero, contact Joe McKinley at jmckinley@spaar.com.