Doris Thomas & Alicia Maxwell – Moving with Purpose, Serving with Love
Alicia Maxwell and Doris Thomas have been connected through the Lake Butler community for years. Alicia even went to school with Doris’s younger siblings. Both women share a commitment to their community, their church, and volunteer work. In July 2024, they launched Union County Senior Citizens on the Move, a volunteer-led group that brings connection and joy to seniors in Lake Butler and surrounding communities. The group hosts seniors from Starke, Gainesville, Lake City, and other nearby cities. What began as a simple idea has grown into a strong community effort that supports seniors while actively engaging volunteers in meaningful service.
Meet Doris Thomas: A Life of Service, Rooted in Joy
Doris Thomas, the eldest daughter in a large family, learned early what it meant to care for others. “I saw a need, and it gave me so much joy,” she said, reflecting on a life that’s been dedicated to service. Her journey began in the 1970s, volunteering with the Suwanee River Economic Council (SREC) summer kids camp. Later, she was offered a position there, employed in their homemaker program, rising through the ranks to become project director. “The elderly were my heart,” she said. “They worked hard their whole lives, and I just wanted to make their lives easier.”
She moved on from SREC, but always with the focus of helping her community, including a career at the Department of Children and Families. Now retired from the Union County Housing Authority and substitute teaching, Doris leads Seniors on the Move with ten selected volunteers. “I don’t call it volunteering, I call it serving,” she said. “Because we’re giving them something money can’t buy, care, and that’s priceless.” From arranging monthly donated warm meals to planning activities and speakers for the gatherings, Doris finds joy in serving others.
Despite facing personal challenges, including surviving breast cancer twice, Doris remains committed to her calling. She credits her faith, her family, and a strong sense of purpose with keeping her going. “My daughter says, ‘You know you’re a senior too,’ and I tell her, ‘I’m seasoned!’” she laughs. Whether through church ministry, supporting bereaved families, or helping youth through the Consolidated High School Alumni Committee, Doris brings warmth, her sense of humor, and tireless dedication to everything she does for Lake Butler.
Meet Alicia Maxwell: Positivity in Action
Alicia Maxwell, known to her friends and family as Lisa, had been thinking about ways to bring seniors together long before her retirement. “I had a five-page retirement bucket list,” she said. “One of my goals was to create a gathering place for seniors in my community. I saw how they were becoming sedentary, and that there were limited senior citizens’ social gatherings in the community that they would be interested in attending.”
With no set plan but a clear vision, Alicia began turning her ideas into action. Drawing from her church involvement, which included serving meals and leading both the Singles Ministry and Hospitality Ministry, she found purpose in every act of kindness. “I like to serve with positivity,” she said. “If we focused on the negative, we’d stop. We’re always looking for how to turn things around.”
While her home frequently serves as a hub for friends and family, she finds that volunteering is her outlet and her gift. “It takes my mind away from everything else. I feel like I’m taking care of everyone,” she shared. Though she’s modest about recognition, Alicia sees the impact of their work. Each gathering hosts between 20 to 60 seniors. For seniors unable to attend, the team packs meals and delivers them directly to their homes.
Doris and Alicia are quick to say they couldn’t do any of this without their volunteers. From setting up events to delivering meals and making sure everyone feels welcome and included, the team has truly become the heart of Union County Senior Citizens on the Move. Over time, the group has grown stronger, with individuals stepping up in big ways to make a real difference in the lives of seniors.
Together, Doris and Alicia have created more than a volunteer program; they’ve built a community, with joy and connection for seniors in Lake Butler and surrounding communities. “We can’t do it without them,” Alicia says of the volunteers, while Doris adds, “I think God put us together. We have the same passion and drive.”
If you know a senior making a difference or want to recommend someone for a future Senior Spotlight, contact Lisa Kanarek at 352-647-6053 or kanarekl@agingresources.org.
