Community Spotlight: Benevilla volunteer lives life helping others

By Matt Marn

The tradition of selfless generosity that started from Mildred Olegar’s father helping those in need in his community has continued on through Mildred’s own contributions to those in her own community, both from Benevilla and elsewhere, who need help getting around, shopping for groceries, or even just a friend to listen and talk to.

Olegar has worn many hats as Benevilla volunteer, including assisting participants with grocery shopping and transportation. She has also volunteered six years at St. Clements campus, working with participants suffering from Alzheimer’s. She came in on music days to sing and dance with them.

“They may not have remembered their name or where they lived, but they didn’t need that songbook they handed out. That love and knowledge of music is stored in a different part of the brain than what affected their Alzheimer’s. Music is a powerful force.”

Olegar’s husband had spent many years researching money management at the local library, so the pair could arrange their own financial affairs. Soon, word got out, and many people – often desperate widows with financial and legal woes – came to seek him out at the library for help.

“He began holding lectures in the library,” she said. “Others came to sell bonds or items, but when they learned he wasn’t selling anything, only the truth, they flocked in. They were so desperate for help.”

Olegar has continued that legacy now herself, helping anyone she can. Some say she does too much, but she said the love and gratitude from the people she helps more than repays what she does.

“It’s just a way of life for me,” she said. “I’ve had people say that I’m an angel sent down from Heaven, what would they do without me? …You can’t stop helping when you hear things like that.”

Olegar is amazed by all Benevilla does for their participants. It has grown by leaps and bounds from when she and her husband first learned about it in that library as a resource to help the community.

“It’s just a warm place full of great people with love for their fellow man,” she said. “I’ve never met anyone that feels that friendly, loves what they do, and who gives of themselves to others. And that’s what it’s all about.”