By Kelly Wassenberg, Wells Mirror

When it comes to mentoring, 71 year old Mary Lea Van Horn states, “You can always find the time,” and she’s quite grateful she made that decision nine years ago as she’s learned to love her mentee, 17-year-old United South Central Senior Kelly Spillman, like a granddaughter.

Kelly echoes the sentiment as she not only describes Mary Lea as a grandmother but as a friend she can come to for advice, insight, or even just to be the person who listens without passing judgment. “It’s nice when you can connect with people on different levels like that,” Kelly admits.

However, not all questions need a verbal response. At times, during my interview with the pair, they would stop to catch up and the story unraveled without the need to pose a question. Smiling and laughing about boys turned to Mary Lea expressing concerns over how easily Kelly’s knees bruised after a recent dance rehearsal and then the conversation drifted back to boys. Amongst the laughter, Mary Lea would toss in her two cents of advice but it was never preachy. Kelly knew she cared and would tuck her arms around herself, sweetly looking up at Mary Lea as if to say, “Yes, grandma.”

It wasn’t always like that though. Once upon a time they were strangers although that’s something Mary Lea recalls easier than Kelly.

Kelly remembers how happy she was to get a mentor. Having lost her father at a young age and a mom who struggled with health issues, she saw her older brothers being paired with mentors and wanted one of her own to go out and do things with.

“In the beginning, she always asked me what my favorite color was,” Mary Lea joked. “Every time she got in the car, ‘What’s your favorite color?’”

Mary Lea would often entertain her by giving a different response until they got to know each other better. Now, it doesn’t seem like any topic is off limits. Kelly treasures having someone she can confide in and still enjoys their time together though it’s harder to schedule now that she has to contend with both school and work. Yet their conversations seem to pick up right where they left off when they meet again.

Despite their age difference, their time together is filled with the activities that many partake in with their friends. Mary Lea’s husband, Allen, who has also spent time with Kelly, has taught her to ride horses. The duo enjoy most women’s favorite pastime of shopping and Mary Lea treats Kelly to the Chanhassen Dinner Theater on her birthday.

Mary Lea’s eyes say it all. Mentoring hasn’t been work — it’s been her pleasure. Kelly is forever grateful for the commitment Mary Lea has made to her and hope others do the same.

“There’s still a lot of kids in the area that are waiting for a mentor,” she says.

Kelly’s right, and National Mentoring Month is the perfect time to change that. Stars for Kids volunteer coordinator Mary Jo Volkman is always looking for new mentors and is always there to help ease mentors into their new role. It’s a time commitment, yet the time you give to another may be the greatest gift you give yourself.

To learn more about how to be a mentor, contact Mary Jo Volkman at 507-383-5272 or email her at starsforkids@yahoo.com.