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Volunteer Voices

I have to admit, I’m a sucker for these “Year in Review” kinds of things. It’s amazing to me how much I’ve forgotten. After all, we all seem to fly at the speed of sound in our day to day lives and frankly, I frequently have to look at my calendar to remind me of what I did yesterday! So among the balls that I feel I’m constantly juggling, I took a few minutes to reflect on the past year at the Volunteer Center and some of my personal volunteer highlights.

• Youth volunteers. Simply put, we have great kids. I have the opportunity to work with school groups from Door County who are looking for ways they can make a difference. They understand the value of volunteering and know that it doesn’t matter how young you are, you can still make a difference. From raking yards to making blankets for cancer patients, these kids “get it” and are excited and proud of the work they are doing.

• Lifetime volunteers. This year I got to meet a 95-year-old volunteer who has been working at the Door County Library for 32 years. She volunteers because she believes in the power of reading and because the people that work there have become her family. She is an inspiration to those around her and certainly reminded me that no matter the age, the gift of companionship is one of the greatest.

• Runs and races. Door County hosts tons of runs and races with thousands of participants and for each event, volunteers come out to help. They serve water, help with first aid, clean up garbage and basically do whatever is asked of them. These events support many nonprofit agencies and groups and I am reminded time and again, how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful, giving place.

• The Golden Heart Volunteer Celebration. This night is always an inspiring evening. We get to meet people and hear their stories of why they volunteer and what it means to them. It’s an evening that I walk away from thinking, “I need to do more…I need to be better.” It’s a humbling experience to be in a room full of people who don’t want the attention or accolades, they simply want to help. It truly is the “feel good” event of the year.

• Pet therapy volunteers. When Julie and her dog Belmar became pet therapy certified, I don’t think they ever had any idea as to how important their visits would be to those they see. They’ve become friends with residents and everyone smiles the minute they walk in the door. Because of their work, more people and their pets are interested in becoming pet therapy certified. They lead by example.

• Business donors. When I think about the number of businesses that support our nonprofit causes, it’s almost overwhelming. Whether it’s a donation for a silent auction, donating money from the sale of a special food item, or honoring those who volunteer with a truly “free lunch,” our businesses are nothing short of amazing. Whenever they’re asked, they try to find a way to say “yes” and do it enthusiastically! We are blessed.

• Making connections. One of the best things about my job is when I can match people with the absolute right volunteer opportunity. People are stepping up, using their skills and talents, and putting them to use where they’re needed most.

Let’s face it, unless you happen to be on the receiving end of a huge endowment, you’ll never get rich working in a nonprofit. However, your life will be indescribably enriched by the people you meet and those you work with. This year, I’ve been incredibly blessed to meet and work with the people who inspire me to be better and to do more. Looking back, it’s been a very good year.