Volunteer believes recipients appreciate knowing someone cares

As part of Community Volunteer Month, the Area Wide United Way is highlighting the efforts of some special local volunteers, hoping to encourage others to follow their lead in reaching out to help others through volunteerism.

Leila Boldrey moved to Cape Girardeau with her husband in 1961. The couple was drawn to the area by an article in Reader's Digest featuring our community as an All American City of Roses.

She worked in the math department at Southeast Missouri State University for 23 years and has spent the past six years volunteering all over town.

On Monday and Thursday she makes Southeast Missouri Hospital patients beautiful, volunteering in their beauty shop; on Tuesday it's on to Cape Girardeau Police Station, working on FBI files.

On Wednesday and Friday she takes Lutheran Home residents to doctor's appointments; she ends her week answering questions at the lobby desk of Southeast Missouri Hospital on Saturday mornings.

She volunteers so much because, "I just like the people and like helping them. They appreciate knowing someone cares about them."