Volunteer Of The Month: Lori Kemp Continues A Family Legacy At Partners In Care

Arnold resident Lori Kemp started volunteering at the Anne Arundel County location of Partners In Care’s (PIC) Upscale Resale Boutique about nine years ago, but her family’s history with the nonprofit goes back much further.

Kemp’s mother, Betty Todd, volunteered until she was 88 years old, filling out birthday cards for members of the organization. However, it wasn’t until after Todd’s passing that Kemp was drawn to volunteering. That same year, Kemp retired from her job at the Naval Academy, where she worked for 41 years.

“I needed something to do with all my free time,” Kemp explained.

Partners In Care helps older adults live independently in their own homes. Members provide transportation, social engagement or home repairs, as well as donations or volunteer hours at one of Partners In Care’s boutiques. Affordable clothing, accessories and home goods are sold at these boutiques to directly support the nonprofit’s mission.

Kemp primarily works in the Anne Arundel boutique. She’s usually busy straightening the store, putting away clothes from the dressing rooms and displaying merchandise. She also sorts books in the donation area and brings them to the store. When Kemp started, she volunteered once a week, but she slowly added days until she reached four shifts a week.

“She always has a happy smile,” PIC volunteer Mary Abel said about Kemp. “She does a lot. She does everything!”

In a single boutique shift, Kemp can walk up to two and a half miles. The exercise she gets is one of her favorite parts of volunteering.

“My doctor loves it,” Kemp said. “I have a lot of chronic back problems and neck problems, and the doctor appreciates the fact that I stay busy.”

Kemp decided to volunteer with PIC after coming across an information table at an event called Boomer Fest, where she learned about the work done by volunteers. “(The woman at the table) told me that they had one volunteer who could not sleep at night, so she filled out the birthday cards,” Kemp said. “And that was my mom! So that was kind of strange. I just felt like it was meant to be, since that person knew Mom.”

Though Betty Todd died about nine years ago, her legacy lives on in PIC’s Anne Arundel boutique. The organization was looking for a cedar chest to hold artwork, and Kemp had one in her basement that had once belonged to her mother.

“I figured my mom would be happy with the cedar chest being in the store, so I donated it under the condition that they keep it in the store forever,” Kemp said.

The chest displays a photograph of Betty Todd from 1940 and a note about its donation. The photo was taken and colorized by Kemp’s father.

Kemp has also helped other community members get involved. She’s made deliveries for friends and neighbors, introduced people to the nonprofit during yard sales, and has even helped clear hoarder houses and bring items to PIC. When the store lines get long, Kemp encourages people to volunteer.

Kemp enjoys the people she works with, and she’s glad that she’s been able to connect with people who volunteered with her mom and who worked with her brother, Jim Todd. “It was just funny to be volunteering side by side with someone for a period of years and just one day find out, ‘Oh! She knew my brother! And oh! She’s been in my house!’” Kemp said.

Kemp encouraged her brother to donate his van after he could no longer drive it. Jim Todd died in April, but he listed Partners In Care as a beneficiary for the van. It will now be used to transport people in electric and battery-operated wheelchairs.

“It’s been a family affair,” Kemp said.

To learn more about the services offered through Partners In Care or opportunities to volunteer, go to www.partnersincare.org.

Do you know other volunteers deserving of recognition? Nominate them today by emailing spvnews@severnaparkvoice.com.

The Volunteer of the Month is sponsored by Affordable Outdoor Kitchens.