It didn’t take long for me to realize that I was good at courting them but horrible at building a longterm relationship with them. I basically would “ask them out” and once they said “yes” I stopped working on the relationship. I didn’t add value to them after they joined my team. As you would expect in any relationship that operated this way, they eventually walked away. And looking back…I don’t blame them.

Luckily, over the years I’ve learned the importance of adding value to volunteers AFTER I’ve recruited them to serve. Here’s some practical ideas to foster a relationship where people will want to serve for the long haul.

1. Communicate Often – All relationships are built on consistent communication. Send weekly emails. Make monthly phone calls. Remind them what they mean to you and to the church. Verbalize the difference they are making in the lives they serve. Keep them informed of their connection to the greater vision of the church. Provide feedback of a job well done or areas that need improved. Keep the channels of communication wide open with your volunteers.
2. Build A Family – You have to think of volunteers as family members, not employees. Employees fulfill a duty but family builds a bond. Lean into the fact that people serving together build a deep connection with each other. Provide opportunities for community and connection. Hang out with your team socially as much as possible. Create a space in your ministry area for volunteers to grab a cup of coffee before your services. Families are messy, they have their ups and downs but they stick together through thick and thin…and this is how it should be with our volunteers.
3. Regularly Have DTR’s – Remember having a “define the relationship” conversation with someone you were dating? It is through those conversations that a couple determines if they are on the same page or not. In ministry, we need to have DTR’s with our volunteers as well. Don’t assume they know what you expect of them. It is impossible for volunteers to fulfill unspoken expectations. Clearly spell out your expectations on paper and walk through those expectations step by step with your team.
4. Unleash Your Volunteers To Lead – Don’t micromanaging your volunteers. Instead, equip them with the tools they need to do the ministry you’re asking them to do. Train them on how to use those tools. And then empower them to lead. Don’t expect them to do it just like you. Give them the freedom to lead within their giftedness…and when you do your volunteers will be more likely to stick.

Remember, it’s not enough to simply court volunteers by casting a compelling vision and getting people to step up and serve…we have to maintain a healthy, longterm relationship with the people on our teams if we want them to stick. What do you do to keep volunteers on your team?

So, it seems that surviving in Ghana without the luxury of carbohydrate foods is actually possible. Who would have thought?

To say that it was easy would be a lie – not only because we spent the majority of the week with very little energy but because of the sheer inconvenience it caused to have a no carb diet in a country that is so dependent on the food group.

This was especially difficult at lunch times. Our fellow team mates would stroll around the corner to the rice man and tuck in to their fried rice and chicken while myself and Zoe would be roaming the streets looking for something we were actually allowed to eat. The majority of lunch times would consist of meat on a stick and some fruit (followed by a look of utter confusion by any Ghanaian that happened to walked by).

lunch time delights

On a more positive note – being unable to eat carbohydrates meant that we became a lot more adventurous with our meals at home. Our weekly market shop actually had some order to it and we even made a meal plan for the week.

Every cloud really does have a silver lining…

Anglesea EstuaryWatch volunteer Georgie Grieg, 23, regularly takes samples at five different sites along the Anglesea River estuary, including the estuary mouth, as part of the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) EstuaryWatch Program.

Georgie Grieg

CCMA is hosting an “Estuaries Unmasked” event with presentations from coastal experts for people interested in learning about river estuaries and the EstuaryWatch program. Special guest speakers include Fiona Warry, an Estuarine Scientist at Arthur Rylah Institute and Gregory McDonald from Wild Sea at Melbourne Zoo.

Ninety-three active monitors across the state are involved in EstuaryWatch, monitoring estuaries to help river managers determine their health.

Ms Greig, who is a safari guide at Werribee Open Range Zoo, said she got involved because she wanted to learn more about waterways and river health and estuaries really intrigued her.

“I knew they had two layers with the salt and fresh water but I didn’t know much more and I thought joining EstuaryWatch was a good way to check out the beach and would be a pretty relaxing way to spend some time too.

“My role in this group involves monitoring the estuary every couple of months (each month it is monitored by two of the Anglesea volunteers), filling in if needed and being an avid team leader.

Back Row (L to R)Jannes Demetrious, Colette Talbot, Monica Henry, Elyce Huren Susan Delgrosso, Georgia Troup at Anglesea River Estuary Watch Biannual Quality Assurance Quality Control Event

“It’s rewarding to be a part of the group and to know the data collected is important for estuary health and basic knowledge,” she said.

CCMA EstuaryWatch coordinator Rose Herben said there are seven volunteers who conduct monitoring and testing at the Anglesea River.

“Volunteers take photos of the river mouth, record wind strength and sea scales, and monitor whether the estuary is open or closed. They also test oxygen, salinity, depth, pH levels, and assess how water quality changes from top to bottom,” she said.

Volunteers record data collected on the EstuaryWatch Online Database which covers estuaries in all three CMA regions and can be viewed by clicking on the location maps at estuarywatch.com.au.

“Community members are always interested and keen to know more about what you are doing so there are opportunities to connect the public to their estuary and conservation initiatives,” Ms Greig said.

Georgie Grieg

The seminar is on Wednesday 22 May from 6.30-8.30pm at Apollo Bay Bowls Club, 6 Moore Street, and Apollo Bay. To RSVP for the seminar or to learn more about EstuaryWatch contact Rose Herben on 5232 9100.

Have you been involved in an EstuaryWatch program?  Leave your experience in the comments section below.

This article featured in the fortnightly Green the Coast column in the Surf Coast Times.

Related Blogs:

EstuaryWatch volunteers monitor Erskine

Community group born to make a difference

Community vital to coast research

]]> http://prairielandfood.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/pratt-host-site-volunteers-prairieland-food/ Tue, 21 May 2013 02:29:08 +0000 Buddy Services http://prairielandfood.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/pratt-host-site-volunteers-prairieland-food/ http://hoscap-borneo.org/2013/05/21/the-hoscap-borneo-volunteers-take-on-the-mighty-bornean-rainforest-sarawak-malaysia/ Tue, 21 May 2013 00:48:32 +0000 HOSCAP Borneo http://hoscap-borneo.org/2013/05/21/the-hoscap-borneo-volunteers-take-on-the-mighty-bornean-rainforest-sarawak-malaysia/ The HOSCAP Borneo field team has been joined by three international volunteers – Daniel, Seth and Sami. Take a look at their journey so far!

Team Photo before Seth & Sami head into the forest for the first time

Team Photo before Seth & Sami head into the forest for the first time

Sami and Seth enjoy their last night in the city before heading into the forest

Cheesy smiles from Sami and Seth

Wahoo! We made it!

Team photo

The team proudly display some of the habitat survey equipment

Seth hiking through the bush

Tree hugger

Seth prepares to take some habitat measurements

Sami finds a few minutes to practice his photography skills

umm… how do we get up there!?!

Seth

Sami demonstrates how life in the forest is a balancing act!

Team Photo around the camp fire

Team photo around the camp fire

Ouch…Sami shows us his bee sting!

Sami shows us his impression of a sun bear!

Roar! The field guides retaliate with their most fearsome look!

… “Can you guess what I am now!?!”

Seth prepares to use the densiometer

Team photo

Seth likes to multi-task!

Sami’s feet look a little old after a day in wet boots

Team photo to mark the start of Daniel’s adventure

Daniel scribes for the day

Team photo

King Daniel

Daniel taking shelter from the rain

Sami

Time for a break

Seth, John M & John L

All images © HOSCAP Borneo

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Maricopa County Judge Sherry Alexander denied a defense motion for a mistrial today during the penalty phase in the Jodi Arias case. Court recessed for the day and will resume tomorrow with Ms. Arias presenting her plea to the jury.

The defense moved for a mistrial when its only mitigation witness, Patricia Womack, refused to testify claiming that she had received death threats and was conflicted about the case.

I couldn’t do it,” she told NBC News in an email. “I feel there is so much good in Jodi to be saved but then also someone’s dear life was taken.

Defense attorney, Kirk Nurmi also alleged a separate ground. He accused the prosecutor of intimidating Ms. Womack by threatening to charge her with a crime. However, the Tribune reports that

Prosecutor Juan Martinez told the court on Monday that, in a prior interview with Womack, she had refused to answer questions about her drug use. He said that her refusal to incriminate herself would have precluded her from testifying.

Defense attorney Kirk Nurmi claimed that Womack’s absence would deny the jury a full picture of Arias’ life prior to meeting Alexander in 2006.

Maricopa County Judge Sherry Stephens ruled there was no basis for a mistrial. She also denied a subsequent request by Nurmi to withdraw from the case, and adjourned the court for the day.

This is an interesting issue because prosecutors are not permitted to intimidate defense witnesses into not testifying for a defendant. Unfortunately for the defense, Ms. Womack appears to have been more concerned about her conflicted feelings and if that is the case, I believe this issue will not get Ms Arias a new penalty phase, assuming the jury sentences her to death.

_________________________________________________

I hate to hassle people for money, but contributions have been lagging this month.

Fred

“Gone are the days when bravery and the number of hours flying a supersonic jet were the top criteria,” said Norbert Kraft, Mars One’s Chief Medical Director and former NASA senior researcher.

The company invites anyone from anywhere in the world to fill out an online application for the departure, scheduled for 2022, and land in April 2023. As the technology for a return flight does not exist, it will be a one-way ticket, according to Mars One website.

Die on Mars

Life Flight 2013

Life Flight paid a visit to Rolling Hills Fire Department‘s Easter Egg Hunt. It’s wonderful to be able to be a part of people who are there to help. Fire fighters, EMT’s, pilots, all of them were wonderful on this children’s event. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of it all. Thank You!

4^th Annual “Invitational Cup” Soccer Tournament

Brampton Northwest Connects will be running our 4^th Annual World Cup Soccer Tournament for the schools in the GTA.   This year’s tournament will be run in honour of the “Confederation Cup”.  Different age groups will be run on different days. The tournament will take place at the Creditview Fields on Creditview Road north of Bovaird in Brampton.  First come, first serve basis.  First 24 teams only.  The tournament dates are as follows:

May 21^st, 2013:                                           Grade 4, 5, & 6 Girls Tournament (mini field – 7 players)

May 22^nd, 2013:                                          Grade 4, 5, & 6 Boys Tournament (mini field – 7 players)

May 29^th, 2013:                                           Grade 7 & 8 Girls Tournament (mini field – 7 players)

May 30^th, 2013:                                           Grade 7 & 8 Boys Tournament (mini field – 7 players)

Volunteers are needed for all aspects of this event – student and adult opportunities available.

Cost: $125 per team

Make cheques payable to “St. Josephine Bakhita School”

Guaranteed – 3 games, up to 7 games

Entry to tournament will be secured with payment.

For any questions contact:

Mark Basciano, Teacher – St. Josephine Bakhita School

430 Van Kirk Drive, Brampton, Ontario

Phone (905) 846-0078/ Fax (905) 846-9044

mailto:mark.basciano@dpcdsb.org

freshly emerged flame shoulder

We also made ready for the imminent arrival of the cattle onto the north-east meadow and measured up the impassable path alongside New Lake to see if we can make it useable again. Then there are the continuing preparations for the reserve’s 20th birthday next month.

All through the reserve there seem to be masses of ferns unfurling, in places hundreds of plants together, I think they look at their best as they uncurl.

fern unfurling

The first signal that something was wrong…terribly wrong…came when the Gaineys’ two beloved cats jumped from their owners’ laps and ran away in fear. At the same instant, Stephen and Linda looked at each other in panic as they both registered the first whiffs of acrid smoke – most definitely the harbinger of fire somewhere in their home.

Lisa and Stephen followed the smell of smoke downstairs, where they discovered the entire first floor engulfed in flames. In the midst of their panic, Stephen was able to rush the children to safety outside. As he pushed his daughter, Anna, through the doorway she reminded him of their cats who were still in the home. Stephen tried to find them in the burning house but was unable to save them. Lisa frantically went from apartment to apartment, warning her neighbors to leave the burning complex.

In bare feet and pajamas, the Gainey children huddled in their car to try and keep warm on the cold January afternoon. Twelve-year old Anna tried to comfort her two younger brothers as they watched their home go up in flames. Then, as Anna remembers, “this really comforting and nice lady came up and started telling us everything would be alright, and she gave us covers and these cute little stuffed animals. My brothers started feeling better and I felt better because someone was there, and she just made me feel so good.”

In the midst of this time of despair, help had arrived – in the form of an American Red Cross volunteer caseworker. Judy had received the call regarding the fire and was there just as the Fire Department arrived. She provided the family with blankets, clothing, a hotel room, food, and replacement medications that had been lost in the fire.

The memories of that cold January day are still etched in Stephen’s mind. He says, “In all that grief and despair and confusion of not knowing what you’re gonna’ do, it was nice to have someone there who was telling you it’s gonna’ be okay.” Today, the Gaineys are grateful to all be alive and well, and they credit the American Red Cross volunteers with helping them overcome the devastation. They still see Judy on a regular basis, as she continues to monitor their progress.

Anna, who is much wiser than her years, is quick to volunteer her feelings about the Red Cross. “From my point of view, they were so nice and such good people. They helped us out with pretty much everything….toothbrushes, beds, covers, everything. I just know what they were there for me. I can tell you one thing…I’m NEVER going to forget them.”

I know I’m far behind the times, just now seeing Django Unchained. Don watched it at work weeks ago so I’ve been stuck waiting for an opportunity to watch it alone one day when he was on duty. It fabulously well done. It’s one of those movies that it’s difficult to say is good because the subject content is so deplorable. Yet, Tarantino’s style is so tongue-in-cheek. It’s obvious that many scenes are not meant to be taken entirely at face value or as seriously as they might be delivered. Still, it’s hard not to take them seriously. It’s hard to laugh out loud at something that is sick or horrifying, even if it’s an obvious jab at a stereotype. If you are like me and haven’t seen this movie yet, I recommend you do. It’s masterfully crafted and well worth the time.

Related articles

• Django Unchained Reviewed (newyorker.com)
• Django Unchained Review (honest2gawd.wordpress.com)
• Django Unchained (themovietroupe.wordpress.com)
• Django Unchained Review (guardian.co.uk)

The first few days together in Bogotá were filled with many fun moments exploring Bogotá, catching up and comparing experiences. Marie-Josée showed Rhian her apartment and her life in the city and we also thoroughly enjoyed indulging in our mutual love of chocolate croissants, as there are a plethora of wonderfully delicious bakeries in M-J’s neighbourhood. Rhian was also very happy to see that Bogotá was not the horrible hellish place that Paisas generally try to convince foreigners of before discovering the capital. There is definitely a very strong rivalry between the two cities and it’s really almost comical the things that they will say about the other city to try to convince foreigners that one is better than the other. The main points that Paisas make are that Bogotá is muuuuy muy frio (freezing) and that Bogotanos are rude and unfriendly. Rhian quickly discovered that, for a gringa,  the ‘cold’ was really just a refreshing break from Medellín’s warmer more humid climate, and that Bogotanos are really just as nice as Paisas. The one point that Rhian will agree with Paisas on, after thoroughly assessing the situation, is that Medellín is definitely the more beautiful city and boy does it rain a lot in Bogotá! Although, Bogotá wins for having much more beautiful, classic Latin American architecture.

Plaza Bolívar, Bogotá

After the weekend, Marie-Josée introduced Rhian to the national office of our host organization, the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCCM). The office was very busy during this week, leading up to many project completions, proposal deadlines, and the national conference of the Campaign which we would be attending the following week. We had a day off on Wednesday, so we took advantage and made a day trip to a beautiful little town near Bogotá called Zipaquirá.

The town is most known for its expansive underground salt cathedral built within the tunnels of a functioning salt mine. The town has gorgeous colonial style architecture and beautiful views of lush vegetation in the surrounding hills. Needless to say, it was a great little trip. Then, as our departure to Arauca neared, we were both very excited to discover this rural area of the country and attend with and support our bosses, Camilo and Olga, in the delivery of a Mine Risk Education (MRE) training workshop.

We started the trip to Arauca with a lovely (read: ungodly) 3:30am wakeup call for our 30 minute 6am flight. Needless to say, we had arrived in Arauca before the majority of us would normally have even been awake. But, that sleepy, dazed and confused feeling wore off instantly when we descended from the plane and got our first breath of the delicious tropical warm air. Everyone on the plane seemed to simultaneously strip off their Bogota-appropriate layers and gladly welcomed the heat and sunshine on their skin. We were struck by the gorgeous scenery as we landed and then drove through the countryside.

It is remarkable how different the geography of each department is in Colombia. Medellín is in a long valley with lush mountains on either side. Bogotá is at a high elevation with a lot less vegetation and is mostly flat and expansive. Arauca is all flat plains with the odd table-like hill and is incredibly lush with lots of rivers running through the area. When we were waiting at the airport for our driver, Adriana, Camilo and Olga warned us that because of the security risk in the area, we would not be stopping at all on the three hour car ride from the capital of the department to the town where we would be doing the workshop, Tame. So, after a quick stop at a Frutería (essentially a fruit and dessert restaurant), we set out. The drive was full of interesting moments, including heavily-armed military checkpoints every 2 km, a dead alligator in the middle of the road, and Adriana’s race car driving skills to avoid sections of missing highway and crater sized potholes; but – we made it in one piece!

 Arauca is one of the most highly mine-affected departments of the country. Because it is right on the Venezuelan border, and therefore an oil rich region, there is a lot of guerrilla activity and unrest. In Colombia, such a reality is almost always accompanied by a high level of landmine contamination. Because of the obvious risk to the civilian population, CCCM goes to such departments to educate volunteers from communities in the area about how to minimize the risk of encounters with landmines and how to then disseminate this information in each of their communities. For this particular workshop, there would be roughly 20 participants from 5 different municipalities in the area.

When we arrived, we spent our first day in Tame relaxing at the very cute hotel CCCM had booked for us and went out on the town to honour our mutual obsession for fresh and tasty baked goods. M-J impressed both our bosses and the bakery’s owner by eating a ham and cheese croissant the size of her head! (See photographic proof below).

Adriana, our local guide, also took us to a traditional music and dance academy for children affected by the conflict where we had the chance to hear an almost private concert. Traditional music from the Llanos, which is how the Arauca region is known by the residents, is a mix of harp and a cuatro, a small string instrument that looks and sounds between an acoustic guitar and a banjo. We also had a local dance demonstration of the charming (and very complex for our inexperienced eyes) joropo.

 The next two days were both intense and extremely interesting, as the actual Mine Risk Education workshop took place. After settling into our rooms at the site of the workshop (CCCM had chosen a nice finca on the outskirts of Tame with dorms, in and outdoor ‘classrooms’, and a common dining room) we welcomed the 21 volunteers who would be trained. Most of them were between 16 and 20 years old, except for 3 or 4 older men and women, which made the whole workshop very dynamic. The first day, the volunteers were introduced to legal tools related to the land​​mine issue, such as the Ottawa Convention. They also became familiar with the various components of Mine Action. The following days were devoted to the presentation of the educational path for implementing Mine Risk Education workshops. Volunteers were grouped by their respective communities and each made ​​a presentation using MRE materials from UNICEF as a drill to prepare for their work in their communities. The last day, after a comprehensive review of the topics learned, volunteers each received their own set of the educational materials provided by UNICEF in a small ceremony in which each participant committed to representing CCCM and delivering Mine Risk Education workshops for their families, friends, and community members.

The group of volunteers and their materials from UNICEF

Overall, the workshop was a great success, and neither of us wanted to leave the scenery or heat of Arauca.

We then returned to Bogotá to prepare and attend CCCM’s national meeting. Gradually, all the regional coordinators of CCCM from various mine-affected departments in Colombia started to arrive to Bogotá. We were all gathering to discuss the strategic plan of the organization for 2013 – 2015, close and evaluate certain projects that have ended, etc. It was a great opportunity to meet the coordinators from other departments, who all extended invitations to us to come and work with them in their departments.

The work week came to a close and M-J headed off to Cartagena with a Canadian friend who was visiting, and Rhian went back to Medellín to resume life there. We are now both very much looking forward to other opportunities to travel to rural mine-affected communities, as our experience in Arauca was very valuable, interesting and enjoyable!

Until next time!

Your Colombian YPs,

Volunteer Attorney Michelle O’Brien (Mackie Shea O’Brien, PC) asks students in Mr. Lyndon’s 5th grade class at Josiah Quincy Elementary School what lawyers do.

Daryl Abbas, The Law Office of Daryl Abbas
Warren Agin, Swiggart & Agin, LLC
Laurie Alexander-Krom, Morgan, Brown & Joy, LLP
Jeffrey Becker, Office of the Corporation Counsel City of Boston
Susan Bernstein, Susan Bernstein Attorney of Law
Peter Berry, Deutsch Williams Brooks DeRensis & Holland, P.C.
Kristin Casavant, Jones Day
Kyle Childers, Boston University Law School
Veronica Contreras, Biogen Idec Inc.
Zeke Davisson, Pierce Atwood LLP
Timmery Donahue
Peter Durning, Mackie Shea O’Brien, PC
Jeremy Eisemann, Liberty Mutual Group
Matthew Fitzsimmons, Law Office of Matthew P. Fitzsimmons
Adam Foss, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
Jamie Frank, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Patrick Hanley, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
Richard Harper, U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
Kathleen Henry, Plymouth Rock Assurance Corporation
Rachel Hershfang, Securities & Exchange Commission
Matt Iler, Law Office of W. Matthew Iler, Jr.
Kate Isley, Pierce Atwood LLP
Anne Kaczmarek, Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
Michelle Kalas, Riemer & Braunstein LLP
Joe Keeney, Biogen Idec Inc.
Dara Kesselheim, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
Keith Kollmeyer, Jones Day
Deborah Levine
E. Chouteau Levine, Levine Dispute Resolution Center LLC
Anthony Low
Lisa Menelly, Raytheon Company
Igor Novikov, Law Office of Igor Novikov, P.C.
Michelle O’Brien, Mackie Shea O’Brien, PC
Erika Reis, Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
Staci Rubin, Alternatives for Community & Environment
Kristen Scioli White, Boston Bar Association
Nancy Shilepsky, Shilepsky Hartley Robb Casey Michon LLP
Jennifer Sieczkiewicz, Biogen Idec Inc.
Caroline Simons, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP-Boston
Gary Smith
Ilene Sunshine, Sullivan & Worcester LLP
Amy Zahler, Biogen Idec Inc.
For more information on the Law Day in the Schools Program, please contact Katie D’Angelo, Public Service Programs Coordinator, at kdangelo@bostonbar.org.

Speaking for myself, it has been years since I’ve (regularly) attended church which is not to say that I have somehow back-slidden, but rather was homeless and moving around a lot; now, sometimes, I sit back and wonder how I ended up attending hers. Yes, I work here, in the office, but I’d pretty much given up going to church again and yet God seems to be leading me back there. Whatever his purpose, I’ll do my best to be obedient.

This BBQ was a blast. I’m new to Colorado Springs and my husband and I don’t get out very much. He had to stay home with Ishaq, our son, so I kind of live life for the both of us. 

The Lord has been so faithful to me! As I sit here going over the pictures of the events of recent days, I can only stand amazed that the Lord has entrusted me with the responsibilities he has.  I also worry – daily – despite my best efforts because this ministry needs to be able to get the grant so that we can hire a staff. I have a husband and child at home and he’s only in preschool, which means we can not both work full time job- that responsibility falls to me (and I’m delighted to have it that way as he prefers to be at home with his plants anyway). We need partners. We need people who are as concerned about the homeless, underemployed and chronically in need in the Colorado Springs area (the WHOLE area, not JUST Colorado Springs) as we are.

Anyway, just wanted to share the pictures taken on Mother’s Day! 

We have a pair of Furry Friends, for you to meet today.

This is Button and Bridgett and right now they live at the House of Mews in Cooper Young.

They had been adopted.

But a family emergency forced them to be turned back over to the House of Mews.

So, they’re looking for a permanent home together!  Button and Bridgett are a “bonded pair” and would do best if they’re adopted by the same person.

Both cats are loving and sweet and enjoy being petted.

Bridgett even likes to sit on your lap and sleep with you!  If you think they’re right for your family, give the House of Mews a call at901-272-3777.

The House of Mews also needs volunteers!  They’re specifically looking for people who can volunteer weekday mornings from 7 to 9 feeding the cats, cleaning their cages and getting the adoption center ready to open.

• House of Mews
• 933 S, Cooper Street
• Memphis, TN
• Call 901-272-3777
• Email:  houseofmew@aol.com

• http://www.houseofmews.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/thehouseofmews
• https://twitter.com/TheHouseofMews

Baby Boomers Volunteers

Interesting article from Forbes magazine, and highlights what a timely organization JRP is: http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2013/04/01/can-we-get-some-volunteers-please/.

What touched me the most, though, wasn’t Trace’s celebrity status, but his personal story about why the Red Cross is important to him. He was away on tour when his own home caught fire, but his wife and three daughters were there. So was the Red Cross, in the form of a volunteer named Suzy. “Suzy showed up right on the heels of the firefighters,” Adkins said. “The Red Cross was there when I couldn’t be.”

As a representative of the Red Cross, Adkins saw firsthand the volunteer response to Hurricane Sandy, but he didn’t realize that 70.000 times per year, local chapters and volunteers respond to home fires and other disasters without fanfare or media attention. Neighbors help out their neighbors. When the Adkins’ family home burned, they were not the “Award-Winning Country Star Trace Adkins’ Family,” they were simply a family who needed the support the Red Cross provides.

As Adkins said moments before he was announced as the winner of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice, “There’s a Red Cross volunteer right this second helping someone in this country.” We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing volunteers!