Rising Stars: Meet Donna Kuper of Northeast Mesa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Kuper.

Hi Donna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When my parents’ health and mobility started to decline a few years ago, I found myself facing the challenges of navigating senior care. I wanted them to move to Arizona where I could visit them daily and help out as needed, but they chose to stay in Vermont. I decided that if I couldn’t help them on a daily basis, maybe I could help others right here where I live because there was definitely a need. That’s when the idea for Viewpoint Good Neighbors was hatched. We are a nonprofit volunteer organization serving the residents of Viewpoint RV & Golf Resort, especially those who live alone or with no family nearby. Our mission is to help our neighbors continue to live independently by providing companionship and a helping hand. We currently have about 80 volunteers who have served more than 65 residents in the last two years. But the real accomplishment is that we have made our community a more caring, compassionate community.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Our biggest challenge is finding residents to help. Because our organization is new, many residents don’t know about us. We post on community Facebook groups but not everyone is on Facebook (or online for that matter.) So we rely on word of mouth. We encourage all residents to visit our website and refer neighbors they think could use social visits, friendly calls or a helping hand. Then I go visit them and let them know that we are here to help them. Many of the residents who need us grew up in an era where self-reliance was king – they don’t want to ask for help. So I tell them that they are doing us a favor by keeping our volunteers busy so they don’t think we don’t need them! Sometimes, we start with something small like pulling their trash and recycling bins out to the curb and back.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
People have asked me if I was a nurse or social worker before retiring. I was actually an author and professional organizer. I wrote books that helped millions of people to declutter, organize and simplify their lives. In some ways, as the director of Viewpoint Good Neighbors, I still help people to cut through the clutter by helping them navigate the challenges they might face. In addition to providing companionship and a helping hand, we also connect them with outside resources for transportation, caregiving, meals and more. Needless to say, I’m very proud of the good work we are doing here in our little community. It’s my hope that readers might think about visiting the elderly man down the road who lost his wife and rarely goes out. Did you know that loneliness kills? The surgeon general says that loneliness is as deadly as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. When I visit residents for the first time, I always ask if they would like a hug. I have yet to be turned down! Our volunteers don’t just bring groceries, mail or a meal. We deliver joy.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up on a mountain lake in rural New York with an older brother and three younger sisters. We were one of only 40 families in a 5-square-mile area. As a girl scout, I walked to all 40 houses taking orders for girl scout cookies – and then delivered them on a sled! I’ve always been a hard worker and I worked my way up from a data entry clerk to a marketing copywriter and then went on to become a successful freelance writer which led to me becoming an author. As a kid, I read everything I could get my hands on including the greatest works by Hemingway, Zola, and Dostoevsky. I especially loved (and still do love) books about people and places I am only likely to experience through reading such as prison or war or life in foreign countries. Growing up, I loved visits with my grandmothers and was fortunate to have both of them in my life well into adulthood.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vpgoodneighbors.org