Rita Simon volunteers at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawano, which will hold its fall rummage sale from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday.
She was born and raised in Argyle, graduating from Argyle High School. She attended Edgewood College in Madison, then went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to earn a degree in nursing. She also has a masters in education from Viterbo University in La Crosse.
Simon worked at the University Hospital and Clinic in Madison. After moving to Shawano 35 years ago, she was one of the public health nurses for Shawano County for 12 years, then worked as the Shawano School District nurse for 21 years. Currently she is on the faculty of College of Menominee Nation, where she is the director and instructor for home health aides.
Simon met her husband, Jeffrey, in college. He is an agronomist at Green Valley Dairy. They have been married 35 years and have three children and one grandson. The couple lives in Bonduel and enjoys traveling and exercising.
“My family is my greatest joy,” Rita Simon said.
She is on the Bonduel Scholarship Development Committee and co-chairs the wellness program for students. For 25 years she has been a volunteer instructor for American Red Cross classes.
Q How long have you volunteered at Sacred Heart?
A “I’ve been a member for 35 years. I have been president of the Council of Catholic Women for two years.”
Q What does the CCW do?
A “Our main events are the rummage sales in spring and fall. For the parish picnic we are responsible for the bake sale.
“We sponsor the Community Meal once a year. It is on Oct. 22 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church. We will be having roast beef sandwiches, potato salad, broccoli salad, veggie and fruit trays. The women will make the desserts.
“We sponsor St. Nick bags for the children at Sacred Heart School and the CCD kids. We make almost 300 bags.
“The women are responsible for the funeral dinners.
“I’m a Eucharistic minister who distributes communion. I get a lot of joy out of doing it.”
Q How does the rummage sales help the parish?
A “It’s amazing how much we can take in. The income we get we are able to distribute more to the school and contribute to the new carpet fund. The kitchen needed a new mixer. We try to help stock the kitchen and help the youth groups. We sponsor two scholarships for students to go to Camp Tekawitha in the summer. We make a donation to Safe Haven and Lick the Violence Campaign.”
Q Why do you volunteer?
A “I get great joy out of it. Our purpose in life is to unselfishly help our church and family and community. I think you can never give back as much as you get in life. Giving back is very rewarding.”
Rummage for the fall sale can be dropped off beginning Tuesday afternoon until Thursday. Donations should be fall and winter clothing only. Shoppers should enter the sale from the parking lot.
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