Throughout the years, this 79-year-old Willow Glen resident has invited neighbors, friends and new members of the Cherry Avenue Mormon church to participate in volunteer work for nonprofits.

She says it gives retired women meaningful work, allows older women to befriend younger ones and provides camaraderie for seniors who are widowed or housebound.

"They all hit it off and enjoy each other," Jorgensen says.

Carole Magana, who met Jorgensen when she switched to the Willow Glen church, says that on the first Sunday she attended services, Jorgensen introduced herself and asked if she would like to be involved in volunteer work.

"She doesn't coerce, beg or bug you," Magana, 56, says. "She invites you, puts your name on a list and calls you when there's a job. She's a master organizer."

Her natural organizational skills are why nonprofits like Sacred Heart Family Services have nicknamed Jorgensen and her team "Shirley's Angels."

Sacred Heart Family Services funds development coordinator Debra Sue Stevens says no matter how little notice she gives Jorgensen, Stevens can always rely on her to have a team of volunteers ready.

"We call them 'Shirley's Angels' because they're always there," Stevens says. "They're so gracious to do the most mundane task. She's secured herself a good seat with the Man Upstairs."

Shirley's Angels volunteer with Second Harvest Food Bank, Sacred Heart Family Services, Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley, American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and San Jose Retirement Center to complete mass mailings.

While mailings may not seem a difficult task, Jorgensen and the volunteers she recruits will always get the job done, no matter what size. Three weeks ago they completed a 22,000-piece mailing for the American Cancer Society; they accomplished that task after dedicating six hours a day to it for three days straight.

"Even our other volunteers couldn't believe it," said American Cancer Society operations manager Marcia Yankelitus. "Shirley has them all helping, and she knows each of their expertise. She takes charge."

Jorgensen began her volunteering efforts in earnest 13 years ago, after watching a television program during the holiday season that focused on helping the less fortunate.

"I could sit here in Willow Glen and never see all the poor and homeless," she says. Or she could get off her sofa and help.

"I'll do this as long as my body will let me," she says. "I feel very honored to help these organizations. The more you work there, the more your heart goes out to people."

She also collects small toiletry items when they go on sale to give to the homeless at the Emergency Housing Consortium. Whenever the women of her street, Roycott Way, hold their traditional monthly luncheon, she brings a garbage bag for neighbors to donate toiletries and takes away a full bag, she says.

Jorgensen believes organizing social events that bring community together is her calling. Whether it's hosting the monthly luncheon for the women on her street or calling friends to help get out a nonprofit's mass mailing, she is always up to the task.

"There's a lot of wonderful people willing to help, but they need a coordinator," she says.

Maureen Barbeau moved in directly across the street from Jorgensen two months ago and says Jorgensen introduced herself, welcomed her to the neighborhood and told her about the volunteer group.

"She explained that she works with several charities and that she corrals anybody and everybody to help and she's always collecting for the homeless," Barbeau, 69, says. "It's always in a very pleasant way."

Barbeau, who has helped once, says the group is "delightful. It helps other women get to know each other. It's a win-win situation."

Dixie Strople, who's volunteered with Jorgensen for 10 years, says it's inspiring to see people like 86-year-old Mildred Frandsen, who is losing her eyesight, still willing to give her time to community services.

Other volunteers with health concerns, like 83-year-old Dorothy Tolin, also give of their time. The purpose and camaraderie make it rewarding.

"The organizations enjoy our work," Tolin says. "I'm hoping to be able to continue although my eye has a hemorrhage. I couldn't see to put the stamps on, but I'll continue as long as I can."

For those who can no longer drive, like Tolin and Frandsen, Jorgensen drives to their homes and picks them up.

For Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley Executive Director Beverley Jackson, Shirley's Angels are like a dream come true. The time the volunteers spend doing mailings frees up staff time and money to go toward programs, she says.

But the volunteers insist they are the ones who are benefiting.

"It's the most important thing I do, and I love it," Jorgensen says. "But I wouldn't be able to do it without the others."

Strople says that since Jorgensen's husband died six years ago, she "really finds meaning in it."

For Jorgensen the reason for volunteering is simple: "We get more than we give."