TimesLeader.com

October 4

Couple shares bond in volunteering

By Shelby Fisk sfisk@scrantonedition.com
Scranton Edition Staff Writer / Photographer

SCRANTON – Since they moved to Northeastern Pennsylvania in 1975, David Tressler and Joyce Tressler of Clarks Summit have been donating their time through volunteering to more than 20 area and regional organizations.

The two met at Penn State University in State College and both graduated with bachelor’s degrees in education in 1958. David obtained a master’s degree in education in 1967 and he also is a graduate of Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

While at Penn State, David was a member of the Lions Club volunteer group. He said that was his first real taste of volunteer work, and since then he’s been hooked.

“You pay back for the space you occupy,” David said about volunteering. “You give back your time, your talents and if are fortunate enough, you can give money. I think it’s just as important to give your time and to provide assistance where you can.”

Joyce added, “It’s better to give than to receive.”

David and Joyce have been together since they met in college, and they have been volunteering as a team and individually, supporting each other.

Joyce was employed in the Butler School District for 17 years before retiring and becoming a homemaker and David currently is employed part time as a regional director for The Quandel Group Inc. in Scranton.

Both say their parents were active volunteers.

David remembers his father helping their community and Joyce remembers her mother helping the church she attended when she was young. So following in their parents’ footsteps, they say that they’ve always managed to find time to volunteer as well.

St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, Penn Avenue, Scranton, is one of the many organizations for which the couple volunteers. David has serves as a board member and is a former board chairman.

The two have also helped serve Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter meals with Friends of the Poor, Adams Avenue, Scranton, an organization whose mission is to ease the burden of living in poverty.

“I like doing what ever I can to help anybody,” David said. “It’s self gratifying when you see that you’ve been able to make a difference for somebody or something. When volunteering in the human and social services field, David said, “you really can see that you’re helping people.”

Budgeting time is important, Joyce said,

Because she and David assist so many varied organizations, she keeps track using a calendar. So far there haven’t been any major conflicts, she said.

“They (the organizations) don’t all meet the same day they don’t all take the same amount of time, some are seasonal, others are year round, it’s just part of scheduling yourself,” he said. “There are so many great opportunities in our community and there’s so many in need, so we need to take advantage of the opportunities and also take advantage of the opportunities to help people.”

Joyce and David said they noticed an increase in young people getting involved in volunteering.

Their children, David, Jim and Mary Ann also volunteer, and they expect someday, their young grandchildren will as well, the couple said.

David, Joyce Tressler

Town of residence: Clarks Summit

Occupation: David: part-time regional director, The Quandel Group Inc., Scranton; Joyce: retired, previously taught in Butler School District for 17 years

Charities, volunteer work: St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen, Little Sisters of the Poor Holy Family Residence, United Way, Friends of the Poor, Catholic Social Services, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

Family: Sons, David and Jim and wife Erin; daughter, Mary Ann and husband George; grandchildren, Annie, 13; Jimmy, 10; Matthew, 6; Caroline, 1.

Volunteer of the Week is a regular feature in The Times Leader Scranton Edition that recognizes individuals, businesses or other organizations for their volunteer efforts and contributions to their communities. To nominate someone to be considered for this feature, e-mail mondrako@scrantonedition.com or call 558-01 13.