Dick and Karen Priest have already left an indelible imprint in the St. Louis community with more than 30 years of combined volunteer service to Oasis, but they want to ensure that their work continues long after they are gone. They’ve included Oasis in their wills, a decision that makes perfect sense to them.

“Oasis adds a lot of good things to the community, and there are many people who need these vital programs and services,”

says Dick, who has counseled nearly 17,500 people since 1991, when he started volunteering once a week as a Medicare counselor. He still receives cards of thanks for helping people understand and make important decisions about their health care coverage.
Karen has been an Oasis tutor since 2011, working with at least six first graders each year at Meramec Elementary School in South City, St. Louis. Over the years she’s helped 50 students who are struggling to read at grade level.

“Tutoring turned out to be the perfect blend of my love for academics and my huge maternal instinct,” says Karen. “I love being able to help kids at an incredibly formative stage of their lives, and to not only help them learn to read, but love to read.”

“Every teacher should be so lucky as to have a friendly face, a word of encouragement and a weekly guest reader just outside their door two days a week,”

said Catherine Hund, a teacher at Meramec Elementary in a recent note to Karen.

“I can’t imagine how different my first year would have been if not for your generosity, love, and support.”

She included this photo from the kids in her class.
To learn more about the many ways to give to Oasis, please visit oasisnet.org/donate or speak with your local Oasis Executive Director.

Learn more about Oasis Tutoring.