Earle Marsh had a flourishing career, working at some of the biggest names in media, including the A.C Nielson Company, NBC, CBS and Showtime. He even wrote an award-winning book that received the American Book Award in 1980: The Complete Directory to Primetime Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-present. It was released in nine editions from 1979 to 2007.
When he left Showtime in 1984 Earle bought his first computer and found a new field of fascination and interest. He learned enough, completely self-taught, to run the IT (Information Technology) operation for a law firm in Manhattan from 1991 to 2000.
Since 2014, Earle has had another focus: volunteering at WJCS. Fortunately for all of us at WJCS, Earle was introduced to our agency by his friend who accompanied her elderly mother to senior programming, then at Mt. Vernon. She saw that the office could use some help with technological matters, which are one of his strengths. “I helped with computer stuff,” says Earle. “That led to my helping with audio/video operations and making presentations to the seniors about the history of TV. Then I saw that the agency needed help with packing food and delivering it to seniors, so I started doing that. I now deliver kosher food to seniors in New Rochelle.”
Earle, who was inducted into the Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame in 2020, “was the stalwart of our Senior Center for years, giving of himself tirelessly,” says Rabbi Michael Goldman, who is in charge of senior programming. “He became our unofficial food manager, waiter, busboy and – if necessary – would deliver meals himself. He checked up on people by phone when they didn’t show up. He also is a computer whiz. We could send him home with a hand-scrawled jumble of names written on the back of a napkin, and later that day, he’d send us a neatly typed spreadsheet. Earle helped us keep organized. He kept track of our stock and was always on the lookout for ways of making our work more efficient. He also helped a number of our clients fill out complicated forms for Medicare and other services.
Earle, now 78, says, “I have always been happy to help. I felt it was my time to give back.”
He is a prime example of how people can translate their work skills into meaningful volunteer service. We are grateful to him and all of our volunteers for their invaluable contributions to WJCS.
If you are interested in exploring volunteer opportunities at WJCS, please go to: www.wjcs.com/get-involved/volunteer.
