Volunteers make my heart sing

April is a month where we celebrate and recognize so many important causes—such as Autism awareness, stress awareness, and financial literacy, all of which intersect daily with our work in homeless services. Yet, each year, the celebration that always excites me is Volunteer Appreciation Month.

This month, we were honored to host our annual Rock the Block event in the same month we acknowledge and celebrate our amazing volunteers. It was an incredible day, bringing together friends, neighbors, and partners to beautify our grounds and facility. I was assigned to greeting everyone and agree — probably safest to keep me away from paintbrushes and shovels! 

There is something truly energizing about welcoming so many generous, community-minded individuals who choose to spend their Saturday giving back. It is hard to capture in words the feeling that comes over me when folks leave the comfort of their homes to create an inviting and welcoming temporary home for so many families.

I feel the sense of gratitude in the “quieter” moments too,  walking out of my office in the evening and seeing the smiling faces of our rotational volunteers serving dinner and Study Buddies encouraging our little ones to read, solve a problem, or finish the sentence.  These moments, big and small, remind me just how deeply our community cares.

Whatever the cause, my gratitude is the same—genuine and profound—for those who invest the precious commodities of time and hearts into our beloved shelter, families, and community.

If you have not had an opportunity to join us this year,  we would love to have you spend an hour or two reminding our families how much their neighbors care for them. Whether you enjoy cleaning and organizing, gardening, or hosting a special event, there is truly something for everyone.