Orland Township has selected longtime volunteer Rose Walsh as its volunteer of the month.

Walsh, an Orland Park resident since 1972, has been volunteering her time at Orland Township since 1983, at its immunization and flu shot clinics.

In years past, she has also lent her time to the annual holiday program.

A mother of three, grandmother of eight and great grandmother of two, Walsh divides her time between the health events at Orland Township and St. Blasé in Summit, where she makes dinner for the homeless of the community every Wednesday and gives out groceries to low-income individuals, through the Catholic Charities organization, on Fridays.

She also attends St. Michael Church, where she has served as a Eucharistic Minister since 2003.

Her reasons for volunteering so much of her time vary, but as someone who views herself as a caregiver, she feels this is the path her life was meant to take.

“I felt like I had a yearning in my life to do something for the poor and needy people. It gives me great pleasure and satisfaction,” said Walsh. “Seeing the faces of those we have helped, just being there, makes me feel like I’m needed, which is a good feeling.”

When she is not volunteering, Walsh enjoys walking, reading, attending plays and movies and just generally enjoying the outside.

However, with no plans to slow down, Walsh can continue to be found at Orland Township immunization and flu shot clinics.

“As long as God gives me the breath, there’s no time limit,” said Walsh.

The purpose of Orland Township’s Volunteer of the Month program, created by Supervisor Paul O’Grady, is to identify and thank the select group of individuals who assist with township programs and services, making it possible to serve residents.

“The township is very lucky to have volunteers like Rose Walsh,” said O’Grady. “She consistently makes the needs of Orland Township a priority and there are very few individuals out there who have the same type of concern for helping others in need.”