Five More Volunteer Highlights to Celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month
At The Salvation Army, volunteers are a crucial part of accomplishing our mission. Countless events and activities throughout the year simply could not happen without them. So, to celebrate National Volunteer Month, here are some volunteer highlights from the past year.
1. Radiothon Incentive Packing Volunteers
*Volunteers from Echo Grove Camp & Retreat Center. Left to right: Jordan, Toni, Franklin
The annual Bed & Bread Club® Radiothon is a massive undertaking. Volunteers help as greeters, in the phone bank, and more. However, an easily overlooked but important group are those who help pack the radiothon incentive items.
These are items for donors who give a certain amount or more. This year anyone who gave $240 or more received a limited-edition Bed & Bread Club Radiothon rain poncho as a thank you. Those who gave $255 or more received a poncho and one was donated to a Salvation Army client in need.
After the radiothon close to 600 ponchos needed to be folded up and packed. Volunteers from Bodman folded them, then volunteers from Echo Grove Camp & Retreat Center packed them into mailing bags. With their help incentive items were sent out in record time!
2. The "Elf Family"
*The Elf Family and Lorren's boyfriend at the Farmington Hills Corps Toy Shop
A family, affectionately referred to as the “elf family” has been volunteering at the Farmington Hills Corps Community Center Toy Shop every year for the past 8 years. What began with daughter Lorren looking for service hours turned into a fun family tradition that helps families in need. Festively dressed and helpful, they make the Toy Shop experience special for shoppers.
“At first, I did it because I needed to get my hours in for High School, but then I ended up liking it, so it’s something I continue to do even though I’m in college now,” Lorren said.
3. Community Kitchen Volunteers
*Bank of America volunteers prep food in the community kitchen
The Bed & Bread Community Kitchen is always in need of volunteers to make sandwiches and prep food for meals to be served in the Detroit Harbor Light System cafeteria, as well served off of the Bed & Bread Club Truck.
Notable groups in the past year have included Bank of America, and Fifth Third Bank, who participated as part of their Fifth Third Day festivities.
3. Emergency Disaster Services Volunteers
*EDS volunteer Jim outside the Canteen
The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services serves people in need during disasters. In the Great Lakes Division, a dozen disaster response teams, directed by trained personnel, are on call to serve at all disasters and civil disorders which may place a community at risk, or disrupt family security and well-being.
Mobile canteens provide food, temporary shelter, blankets, communications, pastoral counseling, emergency lighting, clean-up kits and referrals to Salvation Army centers. By partnering with various agencies, we ensure our disaster services are provided in the best manner possible.
EDS is comprised of enthusiastic volunteers who go into disaster zones to minister to first responders and anyone else in need on the site.
3. Bell Ringer Spotlight: Eleanor
*Eleanor bell rings at the Metro Detroit Red Kettle Kickoff
No volunteer appreciation list would be complete without mentioning bell ringers. These festive volunteers greet people at participating stores throughout the Christmas season.
One notable bell ringer is Eleanor who has been ringing for 30 years! Last Christmas she joined bell ringers at the annual Red Kettle Kickoff event at Campus Martius Park in Detroit. Thank you Eleanor!
These are just a few of the generous individuals who volunteer in The Salvation Army Great Lakes Division. To these and all those not mentioned, we appreciate you and could not operate without your generous support!
If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities check out our website at sagreatlakes.org/volunteer, or email GLDVolunteer@usc.salvationarmy.org If you don’t have time to volunteer, we also appreciate your donations!