recognizing and celebrating the dedicated leaders who make a difference in our senior community

Bob and Ann Wilson moved to Dewey, Arizona, June of 1992. Ann went to work on the 15th of that month, while Bob cleaned out their house in Tucson. Ann had no chance to help him, as she had only been given two weeks to move and be ready to go to work in the graphic department at the Prescott Sun Newspaper. After Bob made about seven trips back and forth with “stuff,” he finally told some friends that if they would come over and clean out our house they could have everything in it. Finally it was done.

Ann worked at Prescott Sun Newspaper until the end of 2000. The newspaper has since been sold and became a shopper. When they arrived, both wanted to volunteer somewhere. Ann was looking for a small church to attend in Prescott Valley and she discovered that the one they went to, was just starting a food bank. Ann got involved immediately and brought Bob in a little later and they became the first Trustees of Yavapai Food Bank. Ann volunteered on weekends and evenings after work. She did office book work, created flyers, and taught computer skills to many clients that came. In January 2001, Ann became the full time Executive Director of the food bank and Bob joined her the following year. They have been with the food bank 33 years. “We just don’t know how to quit, nor do we want to.”

Meanwhile, from the very beginning, Bob went to the Prescott Valley police department to sign up as a volunteer. He went through the police academy taught by Laura Molinaro. Bob was there 29 years working at the food bank on alternating days. In the early years of volunteering there he did a little of everything. After a few years he migrated to the finger printing department and did that for the remainder of his 29 years.

Ann also, after the first 12 years, decided to attend a Bible Theology school. Within two years Ann became the Dean of the school and was an instructor until 2015. Ann then became an ordained minister and still preaches and teaches Sunday nights at the 6:00 service of Living Faith Church on Coyote Springs road, in Prescott Valley.
A few years ago, Bob retired as a volunteer at the Police station and they honored him at one of the City Council meetings with a beautiful plaque for his 29 years of service.

In 2015, Ann published a book that she wrote over a period of two years, which originally was intended as something to leave behind for their seven children and grandchildren. After she had a friend proof read the book, her friend said that it was a great book and Ann should make it available to the world. Soon it became a reality. When the first publisher wanted her to change names and places, which would alter the entire book and the meaningfulness of it, she decided to self-publish it and make it available free to anyone that wanted it. This book, “Miracles in the Midst of Storms,” is available on Amazon and at Yavapai Food Bank. Many clients enjoy reading her story and relate to the experiences she has shared.

Bob, now 92 and Ann, at 89 still run the Yavapai Food Bank and go in every day. They have no immediate plans to retire. Ann says they will retire when God says it’s enough.