09/11/2026
💚✨ VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT ✨💚
Celebrating our own Patricia James Davis for her heart for service and her commitment to making a difference through volunteerism. Her warmth, generosity, and dedication truly embody Service to All Mankind.
We are proud to celebrate you, Patricia! 💚🔗🤍👏🏽✨
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT!!!
Patricia has been volunteering at Mission Outreach since January 2023. She first became aware of Mission Outreach through the Lifelong Learning Program at Lincoln Land Community College. One of the activities was a tour of HSHS Mission Outreach. “I was so impressed with what the mission does with refurbishing medical equipment. The enormity of anything and everything that you would see in a well-equipped hospital, the Mission prepares it to be shipped to countries in need. I’m particularly interested in the African countries.” Patricia is the chairperson of the International Trends and Services Facet committee for the Tri-County (IL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. One of the requirements of the organization is that its members donate 48 service hours to the community. She thought serving at Mission Outreach would be great, even if she didn’t need to complete those hours! “I love what I do here. It makes me feel good that this free time I have – I’m doing something purposeful to benefit and make a difference in the world.” Patricia’s favorite thing about Mission Outreach is the comradery and friendship. She said it feels like she’s with good classmates.
Patricia’s career was mainly made up of working with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Rock Island and Sangamon Counties. She started out in Moline, Illinois as a Court Liaison. From that position she moved to Springfield to head up a new program assisting youth transitioning out of the system. She said the position was very fulfilling. Patricia retired early in 2002 but then became a counselor at Southern Illinois School of Medicine, retiring in June 2010. Patricia continues to keep herself busy through various volunteer involvements.
Patricia’s favorite hobbies are crafts, traveling, and reading. She used to sew and bake a lot, but she doesn’t do that much anymore. Her favorite genre is mysteries with female authors. Agatha Christie is top of the list. She also loves to read biographies about strong women, with her favorite so far being about Sojourner Truth. Patricia does first person presentations reenacting Sojourner Truth and other 1800s African American heroines. If Patricia could have dinner with one person dead or alive, it would be with her fifth great grandmother. She is very curious about her experiences, how she felt and what she thought, what her future endeavors were, if she thought at all about her future offsprings, and as a woman how she felt about life.
When asked what she would say to anyone thinking of volunteering at Mission Outreach, Patricia said, very simply, “It will be a great move.” Patricia has one of the biggest hearts, the warmest smile, and can make anyone have a wonderful day just by saying hello. Mission Outreach is a much better place with her in it, and we can’t imagine a day without her. Let’s show her some love!! 💙
