Next week is National Volunteer Week, April 21-27 — a time to shine light on individuals who offer their personal time, money and expertise to countless agencies, programs and organizations, to help better the community around them.
From walking dogs to coaching Little League, handing out T-shirts at events or sorting second-hand clothing — volunteers are instrumental to groups designed to make the world a better and more enjoyable place for all.
Ahead of National Volunteer Day on April 20, I pondered how best to write about what volunteers accomplish when they rack up hours, without anticipation of any remuneration.
My list of voluntary action includes stints with the United Way, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, on two city boards in Converse (where I live) and time spent with about a half-dozen kennels and canine adoption agencies in the area.
One principle drilled into all journalists, from the earliest of j-classes, is “5 W’s and an H.” We’re taught early on, that everything we write should answer a set of basic questions: Who, What, Where, When, Why and How.
The following text answers those six questions about volunteers.
The answers come from six individuals whose Boerne organizations rely heavily, if not entirely, on a constant flow of people willing to show up, pitch in and do the work — with no recompense, and all for the benefit of others.
WHO — Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries.
“Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries unites and equips our community to fight the battle against poverty in the name of Christ.
HCDBM is a toolbox, providing resources for the community to serve neighbors in need. Programs center on the integration of physical resources with loving and consistent one-on-one Christ-centered relationships.
We serve as a regional resource center, providing: a no-fee food bank and other basic needs; case management support for mentoring programs; poverty training; and church development and training programs for the establishment and management of mentoring program partnerships designed for families, individuals, and at-risk children in need.
HCDBM serves more than 70,000 people annually in eight counties, including Bandera, Northern Bexar, Comal, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Uvalde.”
— Debi Watson, HCDBM communications director.
WHAT — Blessings in a Backpack.
“What volunteers do for Blessings in a Backpack is literally everything!
We are an all-volunteer organization in Boerne. Without our dedicated cadre of volunteers, this local program would not exist, and the children we serve would not receive the food we provide.
Two volunteer coordinators handle the administrative logistics. Then our wonderful, compassionate, faithful volunteers show up, week after week, to set up and walk an assembly line to fill over 600 meal bags which are delivered— again, by volunteers — to every school in Boerne ISD.
These weekly meal bags ensure that children living in food insecure homes will receive consistent nutrition over the weekend when school meals are unavailable.
Without our amazing volunteers, children would be going hungry in our community.”
— Kathy Bandujo, Blessings co-chair.
WHERE — Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center.
“Men and women volunteer everywhere at Hill Country Pregnancy Care Center. Volunteers help with free prenatal and parenting classes, provide a listening ear for parents with questions about pregnancy, parenting, healthy relationships, finances, Bible studies and more.
Volunteers help clients shop in our boutique, and organize new and handmade items for moms, dads and babies.
Licensed medical volunteers help with medical services, and teach students.
Volunteers help answer phones, clean out sheds and stock supplies. They welcome guests, pray for us, assist with fundraisers and events, and share our mission with others.
None of our programs or services would happen without every single hour given by our volunteers!
With each act of volunteering, lives are changed at HCPCC. We are so grateful; we love them all.”
— Donna Klingaman, HCPCC executive director.
WHEN — Hill Country Family Services.
“Hill Country Family Services loves volunteers! Our volunteers share their time with our organization in many ways throughout the year.
To become a volunteer, we require an application. When volunteers apply, we also schedule a tour and explain our organization and history, and Corner Cupboard Grocery Store and Thrift Store procedures.
HCFS volunteers are trained when they are scheduled to come in to volunteer for the first time and receive their own bright orange T-shirts, which have our logo on the front and “Feed Your Soul, Serve Others” on the back.
All volunteers work shifts at our stores and help with special projects. These projects can include hygiene bag assembly, farmers markets or filling in for our store volunteers.”
— Staci Almager, HCFS chief executive officer.
WHY — Kendall County Women’s Shelter.
“Volunteers matter for Kendall County Women’s Shelter because we are making a renewed, concerted effort to educate our community about trauma and issues surrounding abuse.
Volunteers help us by assisting in that mission, spreading the word about our work and filling the holes of support for our agency.
In line with that, volunteers help carry the load so that we have additional support and are able to make our fundraising dollars stretch further; whether that is at sorting donations or working the register at our thrift store, leading a support group for our clients, or beautifying our campus at the shelter, volunteers drive are a lifeline for KCWS.
A focus on support from volunteers helps our agency see that the work we do matters, and we have community backing in continuing our efforts.”
— Brooke House, KCWS chief program officer.
HOW — Boerne Community Theatre.
“Want to see our shows for free?
Boerne Community Theatre is busy year-round. Volunteers who work at performances get a complimentary seat. We need people to sell concessions and check people in at the box office. Volunteers also build and paint our sets, run lights and sound, and help backstage. All of our actors are volunteers, too!
We will train you — so if you are interested, contact the executive director at [email protected]. Join us and make new friends.”
— Christine Crowley, BCT executive director.
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