Celebrating National Volunteer Week: Meg
Tell us about yourself.
I’m married with a son in high school. After working over a decade in a corporate setting, I decided to stay home after my son was born. When he was a toddler, I started looking for ways to volunteer. My husband and I have always prioritized generosity, and several years ago, we decided we wanted to do something more. We decided to host a Christmas party for our friends and hold a kind of auction/gift exchange that would benefit a charity. We picked The Salvation Army because my parents supported it, and it’s a faith-based organization that has been around for a long time. We are planning to host our Christmas party again this year, barring any issues related to COVID-19.
What has it been like to help The Salvation Army during the COVID-19 pandemic?
My contact at The Salvation Army told me that they were going to start packing boxes of food, and I said, “Tell me where I need to be.” It was a no-brainer for me to get involved. The Salvation Army is one of the few organizations that I’m connected to that is inviting volunteers to come alongside them in their efforts to serve our neighbors. This is a great way to give back. I’m not a healthcare worker or first responder, and this gives me a way to help. People are being impacted, and not just because of the virus itself, but because of the economic difficulties people are experiencing, too. Helping someone get a necessity like food for their family is personally fulfilling for me.
Why do you volunteer for The Salvation Army?
I volunteer for The Salvation Army because the depth and breadth of their programs are impressive, and I can see how my support directly changes the lives of people in need.
How do you feel after volunteering with us?
I feel fulfilled by volunteering for The Salvation Army when I can help provide people with their basic needs. I also personally love being organized, and I appreciated seeing just how much The Salvation Army is prioritizing safety and security. Everyone involved was well-spaced and equipped with gloves and masks. I was so glad to have a good reason to get out of the house and do something that mattered. At the end of my 4-hour shift, they said that our team had packed 720 boxes, which I guess at the time set the record so far for boxes packed. I might be a little bit competitive!
What advice would you give someone thinking about volunteering for The Salvation Army?
The advice I would give is that I would strongly encourage people to volunteer for The Salvation Army. There was great thought and care put into the volunteer process. Finding a way to help others right now is about the most satisfying thing you can do.
Meg volunteers to offer relief to so many during these trying times. Thank you for your support! We cannot do this alone. We invite you to find our more if you are interested in volunteering with us.