Volunteer eNewsletter, August 2006

Thank you for signing up to receive more information about volunteering at SOME.  You will receive general information three times a year and other emails from us when SOME has a special need for volunteers.  Please enjoy the August 2006 issue of SOME's Volunteer eNewsletter. 

Dining Room Volunteer Appreciation Day

In recognition of April as Volunteer Appreciation month, SOME’s Dining Room honored our regular meal servers and Provide-A-Meal (PAM) groups on April 19, 2006.  Regular Dining Room volunteers and Provide-A-Meal groups were treated to food, Certificates of Appreciation, and door prizes. The celebration was kicked-off by SOME’s Executive Director, Richard Gerlach. Richard spoke about the value of a single volunteer and the difference that one volunteer can make. Based on research conducted by The Independent Sector, in 2005 the estimated dollar value of volunteer time was $18.04 per hour.  Learn more about opportunities for you to volunteer in SOME’s Dining Room or other programs.

Special Awards were presented to: 

• Sweetest Tooth was awarded to Kirby Gates. Kirby volunteers every Wednesday in the Dining Room.
• Fanciest Serving Line Hat went to Vanessa Weithers. Vanessa volunteers twice a week as a lunch meal server. 
• F.A.M., P.H.A. Prudence Lodge #27 won the award for the Most Talkative Group. The Prudence Lodge assists SOME with serving breakfast one Saturday a month. 
• John and Rosemary Mathias were awarded Best Couple. This dynamic duo serves lunch every Monday.
• Best Dressed went to Inez Robertson. Inez’s sense of style is not lost while she serves lunch on Mondays.
• Pictured above, Dining Room staff member, Michelle Billups, presents a certificate of appreciation to employees of ICMA-RC who volunteer monthly in SOME's dining room.

Thank you to all of our Dining Room and Provide-A-Meal Volunteers!!

Seeking Provide-A-Meal Groups

SOME is fortunate to have churches, temples, businesses, civic organizations, families, and even groups of friends to help us feed the 300-400 guests we serve each meal. We are in need of 10 groups willing to commit to provide one breakfast or lunch meal on the same day each month.  We will be happy to help you with menu suggestions and recipes.  Learn more about the SOME ProvideA-Meal program.

Volunteer Profile: 4 Questions with Vivienne Holmes

By Tony Smith, SOME Volunteer Coordinator
Meet Vivienne Holmes, weekly lunch dining room volunteer for the past year and meal server in SOME’s Isaiah House with a great sense of humor and enormous heart.  Vivienne and I sat down and talked about her experiences at SOME and what motivates her to volunteer.

Tony: What made you choose SOME?
Vivienne: My church used to make meals for SOME and the other members were talking about  how much fun they had.  So, I decided to give it a try.  Besides, I needed something to keep me busy after I retired (laughing).

Tony: Besides me, what is your favorite thing about volunteering at SOME?
Vivienne: (Laughing) Working with the other volunteers and employees, I am a people person so I like the interactions with the guests as well.

Tony: Why do you volunteer?
Vivienne:  I feel that I was placed here....we all were placed here to help those in need.  I feel it is my spiritual duty.

Tony: Any last words?
Vivienne: I wish I could do more. I think we all could do more.
 
We are grateful for all that Vivienne does for SOME.  She brightens up the dining room with her presence.  I know our dining room guests are always happy to see her.

SOME Other Volunteers

SOME could not fulfill its mission without the hard work of our hundreds of volunteers.  Below are just a few of the ways volunteers help us:

• Shirley and James Gibbs share a meal once a month with the residents of Leland Place.
• Katie Whitehorn volunteers with our Volunteer Caregivers Program. Katie visits and telephones homebound senior citizens in the community as well as takes them to medical appointments.  Katie also assembles grocery bags to be delivered to seniors in the community once a month.
• Jim Thompson volunteers in SOME’s Dining Room for the Homeless. Since March 2004, Jim has served breakfast every Monday and Tuesday.
• The home-schooled students of Mrs. Gloria Jackson's class assist with special projects with the participants of Dwelling Place Senior Center. Projects include oral history presentations in celebration of Black History Month, decorating for holiday parties, and participating with our senior citizens in the Big Hat Fashion Show.  
• Alex Milmoe tutors and assists with activities with the youth of SOME Place for Kids program.
• Raquel Moreno volunteers monthly in SOME's Dental Clinic.

Please visit our recently updated website for information on all of our volunteer needs and how you can help.

Thank you to all of our volunteers!  WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO!!