Congratulations to Volunteer of the Quarter, Andrea Reclusado, a volunteer driver for Salinas clients! Andrea began volunteering with Meals on Wheels Salinas Valley in 2010. She had retired from teaching and was looking for another way to fulfill her life as much as teaching had. Andrea read an article in the Salinas Californian about MOWSV programs and decided to give volunteering a try. 

“I like everything the most about MOWSV! It's such a wonderful opportunity to interact with seniors, share moments of your day with them, and to listen to them as they share the stories of their lives,” said Andrea. “I would share with anyone interested in getting involved with MOWSV about how much more enriched their own lives would be as volunteering helps to enrich the lives of so many MOWSV clients. Personally, I get so much joy bringing joy to clients. It's very fulfilling to my spirit.”

Andrea shared that she has developed friendships with many of her clients over the years, some long-lasting. She stated, “The hardest part is losing a client when they pass…they are not just a client, they are a friend.”  Andrea commented that she has learned so much more about her city and has a deeper appreciation of all of its areas and the people who live in it. “I've grown so much, gaining a deeper understanding of our community. MOWSV has changed me in such a positive way,” said Andrea. 

Before her retirement, Andrea had been an elementary school teacher for 37 years, loving every day of being a teacher. For the majority of her teaching career, she taught 5th grade at Lincoln School in Salinas for 34 years, at times also teaching 4th and 6th grades. When Lincoln closed, Andrea taught school for 1 more year at Roosevelt School for the upper grades and as a substitute teacher at Loma Vista and Sherwood in multiple grades. Andrea also taught in Soledad for a private educational company, Bright Futures. 

Born and raised in Duluth, MN, Andrea graduated cum laude from the College of St. Scholastica with a double major in Math and Elementary Education. After graduation, she was interviewed for a teaching job in Chicago (Yes, recruitment was done in those days!) and chose to work in Salinas. She was shown a picture of the area with someone horseback riding on the beach that sold her on Salinas! Andrea chuckled stating that since living in Salinas, “No, I've never done that!” 

Andrea has lived in Salinas since 1969, and met her husband, Steve, here. The two married, bought a home, traveled to Great Britain three times before choosing to start a family. Andrea and Steve have 2 adult children: son, Ian, lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon, with his wife, Sharmel and daughter, Caitlin, lives in Seaside with her partner, David. 

Andrea and Steve continued to travel over the years, taking their children with them wherever they explored until the kids started their own adult lives. “We've been to Great Britain 7 times and once to these countries: Ireland, Finland, and France. We've also traveled extensively in the United States,” said Andrea. She and Steve want to continue traveling until they can't do it any longer! “I'm a "travelaholic!" shared Andrea. “It's such a gift to see other places and meet new people.”

Thank you, Andrea, for the commitment and enthusiasm you give to MOWSV and your clients as a volunteer! Not only are we giving Andrea kudos on being honored as MOWSV Volunteer of the Quarter but she is also being honored by United Way for her amazing volunteerism at their “Live United” awards later in April. Congratulations, Andrea!