Left Hand Laurel – Jeff Lally

Gunbarrel-based nonprofit Cultivate is focused on meeting the needs of our community's seniors. How this plays out is by way of seven programs: Carry-out Caravan (shopping/delivery), Fix-It (home repairs and upgrades), VetsGo (medical appointment transportation), YardBusters (outdoor clean up), SnowBusters (shoveling), RSVP (AmeriCorps Retired Senior Volunteer Program), and File of Life (documents for emergency preparedness).

In honor of his volunteerism with the organization, Cultivate wanted to acknowledge Niwot's Jeff Lally with this month's Left Hand Laurel.

"The fact that Jeff gives back through multiple programs really shows his commitment to our clients and mission," Carly Marquis, Cultivate's Director of Volunteers wrote.

Sharon Greene, Cultivate director of operations, is Lally's wife, making it incredibly convenient to call upon his skills in a pinch. A request once in a while led to seven years of Lally's engagement with Cultivate. It wasn't a stretch for Lally since he's uber- handy, but also because he's always loved giving his time to others as demonstrated by the many acts of kindness he's performed.

Lally, 62, has been summoned by Cultivate to change lightbulbs and to do other maintenance tasks which, on the surface seem simple enough, but would pose a challenge to less able-bodied folks.

Owner of a very busy construction-handyman business, Lally's time volunteering for Cultivate varies from week to week. Year round, he gets called upon to maintain seniors' homes through the Fix-It program. The tasks can vary from helping with thermostats, to tightening up railings, to replacing smoke detector batteries. He's also called upon to dispense advice to other volunteers or to lend a tool to get a job done.

Lally said, "You don't want someone who's 90 up on a step ladder to change a lightbulb. So if they can call Cultivate to have us do it, it's easy to set that up."

Last year Cultivate's Fix-It program addressed home safety issues for more than 240 clients. The program is set up so that volunteers login to see what jobs need doing, allowing them to select the timeframe and location that works well for their own schedule.

During the winter, Lally is assigned to shovel snow for a couple of clients. This came naturally since he's long been in the habit of roaming with his shovel and clearing away the neighbors' snow.

"I know all the older people, so a lot of times I would make sure their walks got shoveled," Lally said.

When volunteers are in short supply, Lally also gives his time to the Carry-out Caravan program. He'll fill in getting items on a client's grocery list, saving them the effort of getting to and from the store, particularly when transportation, mobility, eye sight, or strength are concerns. Lally had both knees replaced not long ago so he understands the difficulties the clients are experiencing.

In 2020, Carry-out Caravan, the largest of the organization's programs, provided 10,575 deliveries of shopped goods to 542 clients.

During COVID, Cultivate and its volunteers were even more essential to preventing isolation, ensuring safe living conditions, and transporting clients to vital medical appointments.

Perhaps it was Lally's time with the Boy Scouts of America that led him to value community service. Lally's drive to give his energy to others extends to volunteering for his homeowner's association for 11 years and shoveling snow at the Left Hand Grange. And, because he's such a qualified tradesman, he offers assistance to friends and neighbors when a need arises. He said just paying attention to what he sees has led to him lending a hand.

Improving people's lives is foremost on Lally's to-do list. While that includes performing apparent physical tasks, there's a bit more to it.

"I like helping people and just chatting with them...just taking that few minutes because a lot of people don't have anyone to chat with," Lally said. "So, it kind of helps some clients to get contact with the outside world. Sometimes seeing a smiling face brings a lot of joy."

Cultivate always needs new volunteers, Lally said, and even giving just an hour or two a week goes a long way.

Niwot has been home to Lally since 1990. He and Greene met at Boulder High School and are about to celebrate their 45th year of coupledom and 33 years being married. When he isn't busy working and volunteering, he spends time puttering around his own home and yard.

To nominate someone for a Left Hand Laurel, please write to [email protected]

To learn more about volunteering, donating or being a client of Cultivate, visit http://www.Cultivate.ngo or call 303-443-1933.