As two of our longest-serving volunteers, Margaret and David Luce have many collective years of CLiF experience under their belts. Learn what inspires them to give back; what they like best about volunteering for CLiF; how they stay involved in their local community, and more!

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How long have you volunteered at CLiF, and how did you find your way to CLiF’s doors?

M: I have been a Tuesday volunteer since 2009. I am friends with [CLiF’s founder] Duncan,  and when he said he was looking for a weekly commitment for volunteers I became a regular volunteer.

D: My best guess is that I have worked for CLiF for 10 years.

What is it about CLiF that has inspired you to volunteer with us all these years?

M: As a home health nurse visiting pediatric patients, I knew most children did not have books in their homes so CLiF sounded like a great way to introduce so many children to books.

D: I love the idea of the organization and what it does both for children and families.

Did you like reading as a kid? What were some of your favorite books? Are you a reader now? If so, what kinds of reading do you like to do? Would you recommend any recent titles you’ve read?

M: I have always been a reader though until I retired, I read mostly professional journals and books. I liked Anne of Green Gables,  Robert Louis Stevenson, and Mark Twain. Now, I read  fiction and nonfiction books at the same time and liked Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson, and Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Love mysteries, anything by Donna Leon or Elly Griffths Ruth Galloway series.

D: I did not read much as a kid. The only books in the house when I was growing up were the Reader’s Digest Condensed Books that my dad read, and I would occasionally tackle one of those. Recently I have read Deep Survival  by Laurence Gonzales and The Gales of November by John Bacon. I now generally have two books going at the same time.

Is there a memorable volunteer moment you can recount for us?

M: The most memorable volunteer moments are the times I have gone to presentations  at libraries, recreation centers, and schools. The children are mesmerized by the stories, and are thoughtful and happy in choosing books.

D: The most memorable moments would have to be working in Duncan’s garage/library in the winter cold. He did what he could afford to do, but it was pretty miserable!

What’s your favorite thing about volunteering for CLiF? 

M: I love the photos of children choosing and reading their books.  Their shy and happy smiles really inspire me each week.

[Ed. note: Margaret is CLiF’s most loyal Facebook fan BY FAR, and we greatly appreciate her support!]

D: I just love the.variety of the books we offer and the fact that the children get them for free. Wish I had that opportunity when I was growing up. Books today for young people are so much fun and the artwork is amazing!

What do you do for fun when you’re not processing and packing up children’s books for CLiF?

M: I volunteer for a number of community groups such as UVM OLLI Lamoille County (lifelong learning for people over 50), LEAP (and energy conservation and renewable energy group), I have children, grandchildren, and two sweet great-granddaughters nearby, and they are a lot of fun and full of surprises.  

[Ed. note: Margaret and David’s grandson, Trevor Luce, is also an invaluable CLiF volunteer!]

D: Before age caught up with me (sitting down at CLiF is very welcome!), I was a volunteer driver for the local ambulance squad and an architect. For 20 years, I also managed the community water system (100 customers!) in Waterbury Center, sometimes at risk to life and limb! Today I read a lot, sometimes even borrowing books I think are interesting from CLiF.

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Thank you, Margaret and David, for your many contributions to CLiF over the years! We are so grateful to have you on our team.