Thank You Volunteers

During National Volunteer Week, we want to give a very special shoutout to the wonderful group of people that make Catholic Social Services successful in our efforts to serve the most vulnerable members of our community—OUR VOLUNTEERS!

It is your generous gifts of time and energy that enable us to house the homeless, feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, give direction to the irresolute and provide hope to those who formerly had none. We recognize that you make a choice each time you serve as a volunteer for Catholic Social Services. We are humbled by the significance of that choice and want you to know of our deep and profound gratitude.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrew

National Volunteer Week — Day 1 — Brother Francis Shelter

Volunteers from the University of Minnesota serving dinner at Brother Francis Shelter.
Volunteers from the University of Minnesota serving dinner at Brother Francis Shelter.

Today, the first day of National Volunteer Week, we salute our wonderful volunteers of Brother Francis Shelter.  These amazing people give time day after day, week after week—serving hot meals, supplying much-needed healthcare, helping with job training, lending a listening ear,  providing advice and counsel—and all the other tasks too numerous to list here, yet all meaningful and important to the lives of those who seek shelter at Brother Francis each night.

Catholic Social Services is indebted to the gifts of your time and energy, to your dedication and commitment. We could not succeed in providing a safe haven for more than 300 men and women every night of the year without you—OUR VOLUNTEERS.  Words cannot express the depth of our gratitude, so we will simply say “Thank You.” We love our BFS volunteers!

National Volunteer Week — Day 2 — Clare House

Clare House Director Sharese Hughes (right) speaking with meals team providers. Meals teams provide dinner for all Clare House participants day a month. There is at least one meal team for each day of the month.
Clare House Director Sharese Hughes (right) speaking with meals team providers. Meals teams provide dinner for all Clare House participants day a month. There is at least one meal team for each day of the month.

National Volunteer Week, Day Two, and hats off to the volunteers of Clare House! These heartful heroes generously give of their time to prepare meals, read to children, coordinate workshops, offer life skills classes, serve in an advisory capacity and take on many jobs as they come along, all to help the women and children of Clare House stay fed, sheltered, clothed and safe.

You—OUR VOLUNTEERS—enable Catholic Social Services to provide hope to those who face despair.  On average, 430 women and children a year find a safe place to sleep at Clare House. This would not be possible without the support of our volunteers. We salute you, Clare House volunteers. Thank you!

National Volunteer Week — Day 3 — St. Francis House Food Pantry

Robyn volunteering as a personal shopper at St. Francis House Food Pantry.
Robyn volunteering as a personal shopper at St. Francis House Food Pantry.

Today is the third day of National Volunteer Week and today we celebrate the volunteers of St. Francis House Food Pantry.  Whether working in the warehouse, addressing administrative duties or taking shopping for a cause to new heights as a personal shopper, our St. Francis House volunteers make a world of difference in ending hunger here in Anchorage.

1 in 7 Alaskans are food insecure—they don’t know where their next meal will come from.  Catholic Social Services puts hope in their hearts and food in their pantries, and you—OUR VOLUNTEERS—makes that possible with your tireless gifts of time and commitment.  Thank you, St. Francis House volunteers.  We love you!

National Volunteer Week — Day 4 — RAIS

RAIS volunteer and photographer Ambika
RAIS volunteer and photographer Ambika

Thursday of National Volunteer Week is RAIS Day! Today we salute the awesome volunteers who support and advocate for our refugee and immigrant clients. This fantastic force of individuals gives forth their time for everything from tutoring and family mentoring to providing meals and donation drives—and everything in between! From the moment our refugee clients arrive in Anchorage, they are made to feel welcome and are helped to adjust to life in America—all through the efforts of our incredible RAIS volunteers.

Catholic Social Services is the only refugee resettlement agency in Alaska. You—OUR VOLUNTEERS—enable CSS to fully serve the needs of our clients from the point of arrival up to their first five years in our country. Your generous gifts of time and energy are inspiring and deeply appreciated. Thank you, RAIS volunteers!

National Volunteer Week — Day 5 — Volunteers throughout the year

Alaska Young Democrats volunteering at Charity Ball in 2016.
Alaska Young Democrats volunteering at Charity Ball in 2016.

Today, we wrap up National Volunteer Week by celebrating all those who step up throughout the year to support the work of Catholic Social Services. Did you help out at World Refugee Day? How about HUGSS? Thanksgiving Blessings? What about Helping Holidays? Or Charity Ball? Or any of the other myriad programs and events that occur over the course of the year that raise funds or awareness to help break the cycle of poverty and end homelessness in our community. No matter how large or small the task, your efforts made a difference and help CSS fulfill our mission to:

  • Compassionately serve the poor and those in need
  • Strengthen individuals and families
  • Advocate for social justice

You—OUR VOLUNTEERS—make the work of Catholic Social Services possible through your gifts of time and energy, dedication and commitment. We hope your experience as a volunteer is a positive one, full of meaning and personal reward. We celebrate you. We salute you. We thank you, CSS volunteers!

There are many ways for you to get involved. Find out how.

 

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