GRACE has many Programs that help people in our community in many different ways. But longtime Grapevine resident, Mike Conroy, found a way to combine his love of the outdoors with his passion to serve in a whole new way! GRACE can now thank Mike for adding lawn care to our long list of areas of outreach.
After numerous years of volunteering for Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County, Mike began serving through our Friends & Family Program last year. Last summer, he assisted three of our senior clients with lawn care. He mows, edges, prunes shrubs and trees, rakes leaves, even some fence repair – Mike does it all! He gladly helps out in any way he is able.
A passionate wilderness backpacker, this incredibly helpful man asked specifically for this type of volunteer work, knowing that there is definitely a need to be met that could work hand in hand with his affection for nature. It’s obvious what our dear clients benefit from his time and effort, but what does he gain? “Gratitude,” Mike explains, “I’m grateful to do something nice for people that they didn’t expect – it’s like a surprise gift.”
Mike Conroy is certainly a gift to GRACE and a gift of grace. He just celebrated 40 years of marriage to his beloved wife, Karen, this past February. They have lived in Grapevine since
1979, and have three grown daughters and four precious grandchildren. After 31 years in sales with Peterbilt Trucks, Mike recently retired, but obviously is continuing to make hard work and service a priority. Karen and Mike are also active members of seven years at Compass Christian Church Roanoke.
Being one who is humble and continually giving without asking anything in return, he did request one small favor for his newsletter feature – to add a note for anyone who enjoys backpacking and wilderness camping in New Mexico, Colorado or west Texas to join him in his adventures. “Karen doesn’t like me backpacking solo anymore,” he jokes. Understandable, Karen. Thank you, Conroys, for all you do to help our GRACE Family and allowing us to brag on you!
