In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week 2025, we’re highlighting an extraordinary individual who dedicates her time to making our region better. Linda Reynolds has served as a volunteer ombudsman for more than 20 years, advocating for nursing home residents with compassion and dedication.
When Linda’s mother entered a nursing home years ago, she never expected it would lead to two decades of volunteer service. During a crisis situation at her mother’s facility, Linda teamed up with a volunteer ombudsman to advocate for change. After her mother passed away, Linda made a decision that would impact countless lives: She would become a volunteer ombudsman herself.
“I felt I was very fortunate to be able to retire as early as I did,” Linda shares. “I felt like I had something to give back to the community.”
Drawing on her background as a social worker, Linda brings unique skills to her role. She approaches each nursing home visit prepared for change—residents may have moved, staff may be different, and conditions constantly evolve. Her adaptability and genuine concern for residents’ wellbeing have made her an effective advocate for twenty years.
Linda’s advocacy ranges from addressing seemingly small issues that make a huge difference in residents’ quality of life—like ensuring a resident’s preferred name is used on their door—to helping residents navigate the complex regulations of nursing home care. She understands that while facilities don’t intend to neglect residents, limited staff and resources mean that volunteer advocates play a crucial role in ensuring residents’ needs are met.
What keeps Linda going after two decades? The profound satisfaction of making meaningful connections.
“The reward of being an ombudsman is… you have a sense of satisfaction that you have made a contact with another person and been able to bring some comfort or sense of worth to the other person,” she explains.
As we celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week, Linda reminds us that true fulfillment often comes not from material rewards, but from giving ourselves in service to others. Her 20+ years of dedication have touched countless lives, offering a powerful example of how one person’s commitment to volunteering can create ripples of positive change throughout an entire region.
If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer ombudsman like Linda, contact your local Area Agency on Aging for information about training opportunities in your community.