“Ahhgghh I have to present at a board meeting next Monday. Aaagghh.” A special board meeting because the Provincial is visiting. “We would like you to talk about our volunteer program.”
I am not one for numbers. Numbers of volunteer visits, numbers of groups, students, seniors. The value of a volunteer hour. Dry, Dry stuff. What does that tell you about the culture of Andre House volunteers? Nada.
Let me tell you a story. The story of a mother who wants to volunteer on Christmas Eve, because she came two years ago and we had mass in the parking lot afterward. It was so special to her and after her son who had been in and out of homelessness committed suicide a few months ago, she could not imagine herself anywhere else on Christmas Eve. Serving those experiencing homelessness. Or the woman whose 50 year old husband dropped dead while jogging. He was very philanthropic and selfless and to honor him she holds a volunteer event every year with family and close friends. For the last three she has come to Andre House because of our special culture. Or the story of a longtime weekly volunteer, a retired Superior court judge, who not only started a pro bono legal program for our guests, but comes in weekly on Mondays. He has major health issues and actually retired from Andre House about 9 months ago. There was a party and Elton John tickets – he still comes in – but only for 4 hours on Mondays.
There are so many, many stories, all showing the heart and the crazy culture of our Andre House volunteers. They are all angels, even the devilish ones disguised as angels. So board members,let me tell you about the “Angels of Andre House.” Then you will understand the state of our Volunteer program.
Leave a Reply