Melroy has a soft spot for the neediest populations in town and praises Community Solutions for its programs that help them .
“ They help many families , children and people that have had some hard knocks in life . So to me , it ’ s very heartwarming .” And the community seems to agree , since the fundraiser is usually a booming success .
“ People are there ‘ cause they want to be there . They ’ re ready to buy the raffle tickets because it ’ s for a good cause .”
Another needy population who benefit from her time and effort are the homeless to whom she delivers meals every Wednesday through her church .
“ It ’ s just amazing , the human contact . Some of the homeless really just need a look in the eye , a smile and to say ‘ have a good day ,’ ‘ cause they don ’ t get that very much ,” she said . Melroy has a special place in her heart for Morgan Hill ’ s seniors . At the Senior Center , which is housed at the Centennial Recreation Center , she spends her work days serving them .
“ I ’ m always passionate toward seniors ,” she said . “ I love hearing about their memories . Many lived through the Depression and World War II . Other cultures seem to value the elderly more than we do in America where it ’ s all about youth and beauty . They have so much to tell us .”
The Senior Center offers its services on a donation basis , but Melroy said money is not a barrier . “ If they can ’ t afford it , [ they ] don ’ t have to pay , which is really nice .”
Though the Center offers numerous programs such as games , puzzles , bingo , karaoke , as well as a comfortable spot to get out of inclement weather and catch some TV or conversation , there ’ s one program that ’ s more popular than the others . Monday through Friday , seniors can come and eat a well-balanced meal tailored to the unique nutritional needs of seniors . In February alone , the CRC served 1,348 meals .
“ I think we ’ re touching a lot of lives there .”
The CRC hosts a fully-equipped gym , indoor pool , and a full slate of exercise classes , including ones tailored just for seniors , and Melroy said that Morgan Hill seniors “ are pretty darn active .” It should be noted that the CRC does have a membership fee , unlike the Senior Center .
She also said she feels that Morgan Hill “ is a good place to come to if you ’ re an older adult ,” and added that the World Health Organization has deemed it an “ age-friendly city .”
Volunteering has been such a meaningful part of her life , she recommends it to anyone she can .
“ I think we as human beings are put into this world to serve . That ’ s why I ’ m here ,” she said . Not only does volunteering help others ,” she said , “ it helps fulfill a piece of all of us . You just feel better .”
If her father instilled her love of service , then she credits her mother , who just passed away last November , for her love of art — painting in particular — which she considers an important outlet .
“[ Art ] was what my mom and I did together .” Melroy said she has done “ a little bit of everything ” in terms of media , but demurred that her mother ’ s talent only “ dribbled on me .” She credits her oldest daughter for having the real talent in the family .
When she isn ’ t doing any of those things , she takes to the abundant nature in the area , particularly loving to hike at Harvey Bear .
“ I grew up in the Smoky Mountains , and there wasn ’ t much to do on the weekends , so we ’ d go to the mountains . I ’ m just a nature blossom .”
Though at sixty years old she ’ s not far from retirement age , Denise Melroy has no immediate plans to do so . “ I can ’ t just sit at home and do housework . I like to be active , because if you slow down , stop moving , you ’ re in trouble .”
PHOTOS BY SUSAN BRAZELTON
Denise Melroy volunteering at the recent Community Solutions fundraiser , Helping Hands and Healing Hearts .
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN MAY / JUNE 2017 gmhtoday . com
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