April is designated as Volunteer Appreciation month and I am focused on telling each of you volunteers how very much you are appreciated and valued.

Life changed for all of us during the pandemic and eventually there will be a “new normal”. Each of our volunteers adapted in ways that worked for them to feel safe. Many are working from home to be sure our clients have what they need. Phone lines are humming (or maybe with cell phones I should say buzzing?) as callers conduct wellness calls.

One of our callers who had developed a telephone relationship over time with a client became aware the client was needing more assistance, so the caller helped to have family become more involved. Other callers are assisting clients to order groceries for NVC drivers to deliver.

Of course, several drivers continue to take clients to dialysis, chemotherapy, and other medical appointments. As folks are beginning to get the COVID vaccine, requests for rides are increasing. Our need for more volunteers is growing as well.

The latest community service by NVC is a joint effort among the dispatcher, callers and drivers to develop a special plan for clients to get the J and J vaccine at Walgreens. Our dispatcher scheduled appointment time slots at Walgreens so that clients did not have to preregister but could be seen as a walk-in at a set time. NVC drivers picked the clients up, took them to Walgreens and returned them safely home. With this door-to-door service, NVC assisted 18 people to get their vaccine the first weekend. Great success!

These are some examples of the dedication and effectiveness of NVC volunteers. Commitment and teamwork create success. Regardless of the role you serve as a volunteer at NVC, your assistance is needed, recognized and valued.

You are making a huge difference client by client. You are very much serving your community. Please accept my heartfelt thanks for your time. Keep up the good work!

Bonnie Boyce-Wilson

Board chair

 

 

Hello Volunteers:

“How do you Know who you are”?

Because someone gave you a name,

Because you have an address, or a job, or a bank account or,

Because you have a family and belong to a community, or a church, or,

Because you have a social security number or a federal identification number,

But what if you didn’t have any of these things –

What if you only had the clothes on your back would you know who you are?

Does a person who has none of the above know less of who she or he is than a person having all the above?

I have found - only when a person reaches out to another requesting or giving help does the realization of identify become a reality.

Volunteerism is stepping outside of oneself, affording each person the opportunity to know who they are.

It is a courageous step, giving of oneself for the purpose of connecting with another.

It is this bonding that allows a person to know who she or he is.

It is this personal integrity that is a value to family, friends, and community.

April is a month to say Thank You –

After reviewing the many letters of appreciation from clients that are pinned to Northwest Valley Connect bulletin board, I concluded there is no better way to say Thank You for who you are than to share their words once again -

“You're the best.”

“I'm humbled and grateful.”

“You knocked me off my feet!”

“My heart is still smiling.”

“Your thoughtfulness is a gift I will always treasure.”

“Sometimes the simplest things mean the most.”

“The banana bread was fabulous. You made my day.”

“I'm touched beyond words.”

“I appreciate you!”

“I appreciate your help so much.”

“I'm grateful to you.”

“I want to thank you for your help.”

“I value the help you've given me.”

“I am so thankful for you in my life.”

“Thanks for the support.”

“I cannot thank you enough.”

“Words cannot express how much you mean to me.”

“I am more grateful to you than you'll ever know.”

“I'm eternally grateful.”

“Thank you for thinking of me.”

“Thank you for your time today.”

“Your kind words warmed my heart.”

Submitted by Trudy Ware

Seeking Volunteers