VERA SHELTON

Shelton encourages to the children never to give up. She was diagnosed with cancer, but she did not give up. She received difficult medical treatments, but proceeded to work after a short recovery time and has been at the school almost daily since then. Shelton is an example of compassionate care. She has risen above her own personal problems and continued to give to those who are still in need.

Vera Shelton is now almost 88 years of age. Most people her age have long since retired and enjoy a leisurely lifestyle. Shelton, however, is still going strong serving the youth in her community with an enthusiasm for life. She has worked to improve the lives of countless children she has come in contact with at Park Elementary by improving their learning experience as well as their outlook on life.

Shelton has been a Foster Grandparent since September 1997. Before that time, she was a fixture at Park Elementary School. To date, she has volunteered over 4700 hours of service and she has no intention of stopping anytime soon.

Shelton is affectionately referred to as “Grandma Shelton” at the school due to her soft-spoken yet firm demeanor. She has a wonderful way of encouraging the students and boosting the self-esteem of all whom cross her path. Shelton is reliable, patient and pleasant with the children; she meets them where they are and works to provide what they need.

Many of the children do not have grandparents or they are not nearby. So they are unable to experience the opportunity to develop a relationship with an older adult. Shelton has changed that, and the school hopes her presence will result in the development of more intergenerational relationships between the children and older adults.

Shelton encourages to the children never to give up. She was diagnosed with cancer, but she did not give up. She received difficult medical treatments, but proceeded to work after a short recovery time and has been at the school almost daily since then. Shelton is an example of compassionate care. She has risen above her own personal problems and continued to give to those who are still in need.