Sofia Cares!

The McLean-Arlington-Falls Church Shepherd's Center 2016 Volunteer of the Year is Sofia Rontaler. Sofia has a passion for helping senior citizens and she has devoted hundreds of hours over the past year to helping them through the Shepherd's Center ride program. She started volunteering to provide rides to doctor's appointments with the Shepherd's Center about 2 ½ years ago.  She also helps the riders she's met through the Shepherd's Center in informal ways by taking them on necessary errands or even to a movie, concert or out for coffee or a walk.

Sofia believes that it is important for us to "give back" and thoroughly enjoys talking to seniors and helping them in any way possible. Having cared for her husband for many years after he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Sofia is well aware of the needs of seniors who need a little extra help and knows well how to help them maneuver ramps and wheelchairs and in and out of cars.

Sofia was born in London, England and emigrated, with her family, to the United States as a child. They settled in the Washington DC area when her father accepted a teaching job at Georgetown University.

Now that Sofia is retired, she enjoys spending her time exercising, gardening, traveling, spending time with family and friends and providing rides and other help to senior citizens.

Thanks for caring, Sofia!