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Meet Our Volunteers!
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The quality programs and services that Neighbors provides to the
community are made possible because of the selfless effort and
dedication of our volunteers. Neighbors volunteers come from many
backgrounds and serve their community for many reasons. All are
celebrated for giving their time to support Neighbors and assist
people in need. Learn more about some of our volunteers below.
Les: Holiday Program
Dedicating time to the Holiday Program, Les
McKenzie has been volunteering for Neighbors for six consecutive
years. Comprised of “Adopt a Family” and “Love Your Neighbor,” the
Holiday Program provides food and gifts to hundreds of families in
the community each year. Les says that friend asked him to help out
one Christmas at the organization with food distribution. Les has
been going back ever since.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from doing it,” he says. He marvels at
how there are so few mistakes in a program that serves several
hundred families each year.
Over the years Les has seen and heard many sad stories about
families and their physical and financial conditions and says that
Neighbors makes a strong impact on the lives of so many. He often
hears, “You made our Christmas,” from recipients of Neighbors’ aid,
and says the appreciation and smiles of kids and their parents makes
it worthwhile.
He also mentions the abundance of generosity from families and
companies that provide gifts and clothing is nothing shy of amazing.
“I am just overwhelmed by the magnitude of the service generated,
with 700 families in the Christmas program alone,” states Les. “What
would happen if Neighbors was not around?. – Karen Schupp, volunteer columnist
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Gail: Clothes Closet Volunteer
Gail has volunteered at the Neighbors’ Clothes
Closet for nearly three years. From receiving pick-ups, to sorting
and arranging items, to managing the cash register, Gail is very
familiar with the daily operations of the Clothes Closet.
Prior to joining Neighbors, Gail was looking for something to keep
her occupied after her mother passed, whom she had been taking care
of for three years. She was in Walmart when she noticed that a food
donation bag there had “Neighbors” written on it. Not quite ready to
go back to work, Gail decided to look into the organization for
volunteer opportunities. Impressed and interested, she talked to one
of the other volunteers about helping out one day a week. “After I
was there a while, Virginia (a Neighbors veteran) asked me if I
could work another day (‘and everyone knows you don’t say ‘no’ to
Virginia!’)… I ended up working three days a week.” Now back to
full-time employment, Gail volunteers Saturday afternoons twice a
month.
One of Gail’s favorite stories regarding her experience at Neighbors
involves a woman that came in to the Clothes Closet with her two
kids. The three were looking for items for their apartment after the
mother had lost her husband, job and home all within 30 days. Simply
put, Gail said that assisting them was “quite humbling.”
When asked what she enjoys most about her volunteer service at
Neighbors, Gail responded: “the people—both customers and
volunteers.” She added, “I like the Clothes Closet, because there is
always something to do… and getting to see what is in the box or bag
of donations makes it seem like Christmas!”
Gail helped to start the new Saturday afternoon shift for the
Clothes Closet, and has recently led orientations for new
volunteers. This added shift has benefited both the customers—so
they can shop longer; and the organization—in order to assist
additional people in the community. – Karen Schupp, volunteer columnist
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Mary Lou: Holiday Program Volunteer
Mary Lou just completed her sixth year with
Neighbors, volunteering annually for the Holiday Program. She got
involved after responding to an advertisement posted in a local
newspaper for assistance in the program. Recently retired at the
time, Mary Lou thought this would be a good opportunity to give back
to the community, and it was also related to her line of
experience—social work.
When asked what she enjoys most about volunteering at Neighbors,
Mary Lou said it is nice to have interaction with a diverse group of
people, and “[it is] interesting to see the amount of people step
forward—and the good that comes from it all.” She also mentioned the
dynamic environment keeping her inspired, with different genders,
ages, “and all have their own story.” She says that the wonderful
staff and volunteers of Neighbors is impressive. With their high
spirit and compassion, “they do a lot with very little,” Mary Lou
said.
Among the numerous families that she has seen benefit from the
efforts, care and contribution from Neighbors’ volunteers and
donations, Mary Lou mentioned one family that stuck out in her mind.
Over the past three or four years she has seen a couple come in for
the Holiday Program. The first time they were in, they were a
recently-married couple with a child, struggling financially. Mary
Lou says, while things are still tight for them, it’s neat to see
how far they’ve come. “It is a privilege to see the whole thing
unfold; [the couple] are in it together,” she added.
While she volunteers with other organizations throughout the year,
Mary Lou has been back to Neighbors ever since her start in 2002 for
the 6-week duration of the Holiday Program. “I think I frankly get
more out of this than the recipients,” she commented. “I’m just very
proud to be a part of it.” – Karen Schupp, volunteer columnist
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Ceil and Jim: Food Shelf Volunteers
Ceil and Jim are volunteers at the Neighbors’
Food Shelf where they help out about two to three days per week.
Jim, now on his 7th year with the organization, started out with the
Holiday Program. His wife, Ceil, joined later (now with five years
at Neighbors), and says that Jim liked it so much she decided to
help out, too. Both were looking for something to do in the
wintertime, and have been active volunteers with other organizations
in the surrounding community.
After some time with the Holiday Program, they found out about
helping at the Food Shelf, and they’ve been “downstairs” ever since.
The two also pick up bakery goods from Cub to bring in to Neighbors
each Friday morning.
Among many special memories for Ceil, one experience while
volunteering at Neighbors is her favorite. A few years ago while
serving during the Holiday Program, Ceil was approached by an older
woman who came in with her grandson. Because the child’s parents
were not around anymore, the woman—who had had a stroke and was
partially blind—was seeking assistance during the holidays. Ceil
assisted the woman to receive the support she required by helping
her to fill out the application as the woman was unable to write.
Ceil reports that the grateful woman cried and hugged her for her
help. “…Probably one of the most touching moments I had,” mentioned
Ceil.
Ceil says that they love the people with whom they volunteer, and
they get a great sense of satisfaction by being able to help others.
“I love the people we work with; they’re great, great to volunteer
for,” says Ceil. She also spoke highly of the management at
Neighbors. “Anything you ask for, right away [the staff are] there
to help you…they don’t seem to let a thing go by. – Karen Schupp,
volunteer columnist
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Contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
Neighbors, Inc.
South Saint Paul, MN 55075
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