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Litterer’s remarkable career of giving forges friendships

Mary Litterer is retiring after 20 years with the Charles City Foster Grandparent Program. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra
Mary Litterer is retiring after 20 years with the Charles City Foster Grandparent Program. Press photo by Kelly Terpstra
By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

There are some undeniable truths about Mary Litterer that any Charles City resident who knows her can tell you.

She loves her job and she will be sorely missed. And the Charles City Foster Grandparent Program wouldn’t be the same without her.

Litterer, the longtime program director, is stepping down.

One of the reasons? She needs a little more time to spend with her own grandchildren.

“I’m going to make memories with my grandkids. That’s my biggest goal,” said Litterer, who took over the very successful Foster Grandparent program in Floyd County nearly 20 years ago.

Her last official day of work for the program is July 20. She’ll have a retirement gathering from 3 to 6 p.m. next Thursday, May 24, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Charles City.

To say Litterer has had an impact on the lives associated with the program would be a huge understatement. It’s been a win-win for both parties involved.

“For me, it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. I see so many wonderful things happen at the sites,” said Litterer. “I can bring a volunteer into the program and in three months they’re a totally different person. They have a purpose.”

At-risk kids have also benefited immensely through the helpful guidance of countless mentors who have volunteered their services on-site at locations such as schools, day cares and preschools. Whether it’s helping youngsters sharpen their math skills or learning how to read better, the relationships forged can last a lifetime.

“They both can flourish from their relationship,” Litterer said.

Just seeing somebody’s facial expression change from when they first started with the program is enough to make Litterer’s day.

“I have people come in that smile all the time, that weren’t when they did the training,” she said.

The Charles City Foster Grandparent Program has been one of the most successful in the state and has been going strong for 46 years — the longest run in Iowa.

Litterer was activities director at Odd Fellows Senior Center for 12 years before taking over the reins at her current job. She also worked as a home health aide in Floyd County.

“I’ve always worked with this age group,” said Litterer. “To work with the age group I work with, they have to trust you.”

The program’s volunteers, who must be at least 55 years of age, put in 65,000 hours of volunteer work a year. She currently has approximately 65 volunteers, or “floats”, as she calls them. Foster grandparents must volunteer at least 15 hours a week and up to 40. No matter the number, the need is the same.

“There’s kids that need help in every county,” Litterer added.

Litterer is dedicated to volunteerism, and although she’s retiring from the Foster Grandparent program, she won’t stop giving just quite yet. She’ll work with the Salvation Army in town to stay busy with her helping causes.

Litterer said she wanted to personally thank the city of Charles City for all it has done for her over the years.

“It’s been a great 20 years. I commend Charles City for being the best sponsor that anybody can have. They are so supportive,” she said. “They been behind the program the whole time I’ve been there. That’s makes a total difference in what you can do with a program.”

 

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