Volunteer Narratives Lake County Retired Teachers Volunteer at Phil's Friends by Carol Borchardt On Tuesday, February 7, 2023 thirteen members of the Lake County Retired Teachers’ Association (LCRTA) held a brief business meeting before Judy Ernshaw from Phil’s Friends presented some history and the mission of Phil’s Friends. It all began with Phil Zielke who was diagnosed with stage 4B Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2004. He was able to return to his first of teaching position after extensive chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the cancer returned in 2005. It was during this time that Phil’s Friends was born. Phil was so touched by the thoughtfulness and selflessness of people he had never met. He received a care package and a great many cards of encouragement. Phil decided that this is what he could do, too. He began an organization which he named Phil’s Friends whose mission is to support Christ-centered support to those affected by cancer. Phil’s Friends has several Hope Centers in Illinois and Indiana with the Crown Point location (1249 Arrowhead Court 46307-8315) serving as their headquarters where from which the entire operation is volunteer run. Even the building’s rent in which they are housed is paid for by a donor. Their work depends on donations. They send out 85-100 Care packages each month. If you know someone with cancer you can request a Care package for them. Simply go to their website (philsfriends.org) and fill out a form. You can also become a donor/volunteer. The website (philsfriends.org) has a list of thing s that you can donate for the Care packages. Things like hats, fuzzy socks, toothbrushes, small tubes of toothpaste and lotion. Anyone may come to the Crown Point site and spend time decorating the Care boxes, packing the boxes, coloring Cards of Hope or tying fleece blankets. The LCRTA board members stayed to color, tie blankets, decorate and pack boxes. It was fun and rewarding work. We plan to return and hope to bring other members of LCRTA.