Catholic Charities would like to honor some of our outstanding volunteers. These exemplary role models give of themselves continually, helping us bring the love and mercy of Jesus Christ to everyone we serve. In this article, we will focus on our Senior Volunteer Services Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).  Sister Eloise Hirleman volunteers weekly at Stevenson Elementary School in Southfield, Michigan. According to the staff and teachers at the school, Sister is always willing to help, going above and beyond her ordinary volunteer duties, from working in the lunchroom to helping in the classroom. “Although our students do not know what a Nun is, they truly admire the quiet, calming, caring disposition of Sister Eloise,” said Liza Pasini, Elementary Art Teacher. “She excels at anticipating the needs of students and me. It is really great to have an extra set of hands to make our day in the art room run smoothly, and she has many ideas and tips and tricks to make the art room run seamlessly.” Sister often brings in props and her own personal artwork to inspire and stimulate conversation and dialogue. And she even painted an Ocean Scene mural for the elementary school’s spring musical, and did face painting for the school Halloween party! Sister Eloise with teacher Liza Pasini Larry Kropfreiter has been a volunteer since December 2010 at the Warren campus of Ascension St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, logging more than 2700 service hours.  He volunteers in the hospital’s Guiding Star Program. Guiding Stars are stationed in the hospital main lobby to guide guests through the hospital campus and transport patients in wheelchairs. Larry also helps transport patients from their rooms to the lobby at discharge, and even helps fix and maintain the hospital’s wheelchairs. In addition to these services, Larry trains future Guiding Stars and Volunteer Patient Transporters. He also serves on the hospital’s Service Excellence Advisory Committee helping create action plans to improve patient experience. And to top it off, at Christmas, Larry plays the role of Santa for the children during the “Cookies with Santa” event. Larry Kropfreiter