For more than six decades of marriage, Bill and Mary O’ Keefe have shared more than a life together — they have shared a commitment to serving others. Whether leading youth organizations, supporting their church, coaching community programs, or spending the past 13 years volunteering at GiftsToGive, giving back has always been at the heart of their journey together.
Long before they became familiar faces at GiftsToGive, Bill and Mary had already established a lifelong pattern of giving back. As they raised their five children, volunteering became a natural extension of family life. Rather than watching from the sidelines, they believed in leading by example and becoming active participants in the organizations and activities that shaped their children’s lives.
“We got involved in volunteering for the community through our children. If you want your children to be involved, you need to be part of the program. You can’t always expect people to do things for your children, so we always did what we could to be leaders and be involved as much as possible; whether it was school dances, sports, campfires, or just being a chaperone of some kind,” Mary O’ Keefe said.
After decades of raising a family and serving their communities, retirement marked the beginning of a new chapter for them. While Bill enjoyed spending time outdoors fishing and hunting, Mary cherished making memories with friends and family, describing herself as “kind of a jokester” who loves to laugh. But despite enjoying retirement, the couple knew they still wanted to stay active and connected to the people around them.
When they retired and moved permanently to the South Coast, they found themselves looking for ways to become part of their new community. It wasn’t long before a neighbor introduced Mary to GiftsToGive, setting in motion what would become more than 13 years of dedicated volunteer service.
Mary first began volunteering at GiftsToGive’s original Cove Street location, where she worked alongside longtime volunteers Denise Bertrand and Vivian Scrocca. When the organization relocated to Acushnet, she helped with the massive effort of moving and setting up the new building.
“There was a whole summer where Denise, Vivian, and I worked together on terribly hot days to sort through boxes and get things set up in the new building. It was important to us to get everything ready, and it gave the three of us a chance to really bond,” Mary shared.
Bill became involved after stopping by to assist Mary with moving supplies. During a conversation with CEO Jim Stevens, Bill learned about a carpentry project and immediately offered his skills.
Bill soon became known for tackling a variety of outdoor projects, including maintaining GiftsToGive’s garden, which produced fresh fruits and vegetables; caring for the organization’s beehives, which supplied fresh honey; repairing items around the property; and organizing the annual Christmas store. Meanwhile, Mary found her home in the orders department, where she has helped prepare countless orders for families in need.
“We did a lot of projects together. We always ran the Christmas store together and loved doing that. Sometimes we volunteered side by side, and other times we worked separately, but it always gave us something to talk about. It made retirement even more meaningful because we were sharing those experiences together,” Mary said.
Their different personalities and strengths made them an effective team. While Bill gravitated toward hands-on outdoor projects, Mary thrived in the structured environment of the orders department.
“Bill has always enjoyed working outdoors, while I’ve always enjoyed working in the orders department. The orders department is more structured, and I like having that system. Bill is a quiet person who prefers working independently, while I’m more outspoken and enjoy collaborating and socializing with the other volunteers. We balance each other out in that way as a couple,” Mary said.
Over the past 13 years, GiftsToGive has become more than just a place to volunteer for the them. It has become a community where they have built lasting friendships and supported one another through life’s celebrations and challenges.
“I think the more memorable moments are when we are sharing time together. Whether it’s somebody’s difficult time and helping each other get through them or during the good times where we can all laugh together and have fun. I have always felt that the GiftsToGive community is very good at staying connected. I have never met anybody here that I didn’t like or care about,” Mary expressed.
Although volunteers often never meet the families they serve, one unexpected encounter reminded Mary just how far GiftsToGive’s impact can reach.
“I had a moment one day while volunteering when I met a college student from Salve Regina University who came here to volunteer. She told me she had received clothing packages from GiftsToGive when she was a little girl. Years later, she had returned to give back to the same organization that had once supported her family. It made me realize that maybe we had made a difference in her family’s life. That really impacted me,” Mary said.
Some of Bill’s most treasured memories came from helping organize GiftsToGive’s annual Christmas Store, where he witnessed firsthand the joy it brought to families throughout the community.
“One of my favorite memories was helping run GiftsToGive’s annual Christmas Store. We saw children come in with just a little money to buy gifts for their families, and people were always so appreciative of the store. I remember families finding a nativity manger they had always wanted but could never have afforded, and nursing home staff and hospital nurses decorating their wards with items from the store. It was our baby project, and we loved being a part of it,” Bill said.
While Bill and Mary’s favorite memories reflect the joy of giving back, what continues to inspire them is knowing that every act of kindness — no matter how small — can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. For Mary, that means putting thought and care into every order prepared for a family.
“I hope families know that when we prepare their orders, we put a lot of care into every package. I always think about choosing items that children will love and that can even be passed down to a younger brother or sister. Everybody here puts a lot of care into the orders,” Mary said.
For Mary and Bill, GiftsToGive’s impact extends far beyond the families it serves. They believe the organization creates a sense of belonging for the volunteers who dedicate their time to its mission.
“GiftsToGive is important to both the recipients and the volunteers. It gives people a place where they can be accepted, cared for, and connected to others. There are so many people who want to help but don’t know where to begin, and GiftsToGive gives them that opportunity,” Mary shared.
Although Bill and Mary are grateful for the recognition, they hope their story inspires others to discover the joy and fulfillment that comes from serving their community. Their advice is simple: don’t be afraid to get involved. They believe volunteering enriches both the lives of those being served and those who serve, and they encourage others to discover what brings them joy while making a difference.
For Bill and Mary, volunteering has never been about recognition. It’s about finding purpose, building friendships, and discovering that helping others makes life richer. Above all, they hope people remember that giving back should be meaningful and enjoyable.
Story By: (Marissa Sebastiao)