TAMPA, Fla. — A Hillsborough County woman has gotten special recognition for her volunteer work.

Hillsborough County Aging Services has presented 69-year-old Wanda Poindexter with its 2023 Elderly Affairs Day Volunteer Award.

Poindexter has spent hundreds of hours volunteering at the Gardenville Dining and Activities Center in Gibsonton.

On a recent morning, she was demonstrating how to make an ambrosia salad to a couple of dozen senior citizens at the center. Poindexter does everything with a lot of enthusiasm.

She said she developed a love for doing things for other people in grade school in Texas. She said that happened after she and some other children had been picking on a little girl name Kathy.

Kathy later turned the other cheek by offering to help Poindexter with something at school.

“And from that day on I stopped judging people,” she said. “I stopped talking about people. And that way back in grade school made me a better person. And right today, that’s why I give like I do.”

The senior citizens at the center have a lot of affection for Poindexter.

“She’s just very kind and giving,” said Lisa Fawley. “She thinks about others.”

Poindexter wiped away a couple of tears after hearing folks at the center say nice things about her. “Just a little. Just a little drop that was it,” she said. “It truly is a good feeling to hear positivity from people that saw you wanted to do from your heart. It’s just helps.”

Poindexter has no plan to slow down with all her volunteer work. “I have always been active and hyper. As long as I can keep going, I’m going to go.”

Poindexter also volunteers at a soup kitchen in Brandon.