Extracted from article by James D. Coppinger published in Spark Magazine (July 2025)
Lynn Pruitt-Timko has been a volunteer with Milestone Senior Services as a Home Delivered Meals driver for over eight years, but that’s just one way that she gives back to the community. After retiring from Pfizer in 2014 following a 34-year career as a chemist, supervisor, and trainer, Lynn stepped into the role of program coordinator for Journey Beads program and is passionate about their mission.
Journey Beads is a program of Glass Art Kalamazoo which creates one-of-a-kind hand-made beads to children undergoing treatment at Bronson Children’s Hospital. Each bead is a small but meaningful symbol of courage and resilience. This role was a natural fit for Lynn’s leadership and organizational strengths, as well as her creative talents. In addition to her work with the Journey Beads program, Lynn’s creative interests include quilting, weaving, knitting, and just about anything that involves fabric and fiber.
Lynn says artistic experience is not required to get involved with Journey Beads, “It’s something you can easily learn,” she says, “and once you start, you wish you’d started long ago.” Lynn encourages anyone curious about Journey Beads or glasswork to stop by. On the first Friday of every month, Glass Art Kalamazoo participates in downtown’s Art Hop with free live demonstrations.
Milestone Senior Services is an AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP grantee for Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. AmeriCorps Seniors empowers people aged 55 and older to serve their communities. The RSVP program helps people find a volunteer opportunity that fits their passion. Volunteer opportunities are available through RSVP at Milestone Senior Services and at other nonprofits in the community. Regular, flexible schedules available. Contact RSVP at 269-382-0515 or apply online on our Volunteer Services page.
