Many groups benefit from time Pleiss spends volunteering

Staff

Published Wednesday, June 30, 2004

By Jeffrey J. Marmorstone, Tribune photojournalist

Albert Lea has been home to Bob Pleiss all of his life. And volunteering has been a big part of his life since he was a teenager, when he started volunteering at the YMCA. Recently he offered his service to the Audubon Science Center through the Golden KII Kiwanis Club.

About a half dozen members from the Kiwanis club have contributed their time, effort and money to help improve the Audubon Science Center.

Together, the group has constructed display shelves and picnic tables and there are plans for future work to be done. Modestly, Bob claims he's just the organizer and the other guys do the carpentry work.

So why does Bob continue to volunteer after all of these years?

"It just feels good," he said. "You don't do it for rewards, you do it if you're a good citizen."

The list of things Bob has volunteered for is rather long. It ranges from the YMCA to teaching Sunday school, and helping elders with their income taxes to building handicap accessible ramps.

He claims his wife, Ruth, keeps him busy by volunteering him for different projects and he admits, "You have to have a good wife if you want to volunteer."

This holiday weekend he will be volunteering with his wife and the Freeborn County Women in the Military Service Club selling hot dogs at the Freeborn County Courthouse grand opening.

(Contact Jeff Marmorstone at jeff.marmorstone@albertleatribune.com or at 379-3438.)

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