Retire-To Volunteering

100 Jan Lockard—Tennessee Respite Coalition That’s What Friends Are For—Tennessee Respite Coalition What’s a friend? Someone with whom you can laugh, someone who helps you with little things and big things, someone who makes you feel special—that’s a friend! Jan Lockard is good at being that friend to two ladies, who happen to be in a nursing home. That’s her volunteer service as a Senior Companion with the Tennessee Respite Coalition. Jan has two “special ladies” she stays with for eight hours twice a week. They look forward to their day because time with Jan is fun—something that is too often lacking for ladies in their 90’s in nursing homes. Jan is intentional about the “little things,” like playing Bingo or other games, taking her ladies to the onsite dining area to be with others instead of having meals delivered and eaten alone in the room, and setting up a personalized playlists of favorite music. She also listens to their stories of the good old days—something that busy staff aren’t usually able to do, but something a friend does willingly. Because she listens, Jan learns what might be “big things” for her ladies—and she follows up. Reminiscing one day, one of the ladies told Jan she had never had a visit with Santa Claus. When the jolly old gentleman was due for a stop at the nursing home, Jan made sure that the lady was there and actually got to talk with Santa. The 93-year-old left with a big smile, a teddy bear she treasured, and new memories to reminisce about. Another “big thing” Jan does is make each one’s birthday special—a birthday lunch that Jan prepares and invites the lady’s friends to come too. The party generates lots of laughter as everyone has a good time, and everyone at the table looks forward to celebrating their birthday with Jan’s special lunch. Although she is giving service, Jan says she is “rewarded every day.” She sees her special ladies light up and enjoy themselves. The families also express their gratitude. Eyes that sparkle and words of appreciation are seemingly little things, but they are truly big things between friends. For more about the Senior Companion program of the Tennessee Respite Coalition, listen to Retire to Volunteering Podcast, #96 with Jennifer Abernathy, the volunteer coordinator. Or visit tnrespite.org.  

099 Tom Starling—Mental Health America Before Stage 4—Mental Health America “Before Stage 4!” Tom Starling, the chief executive of Mental Health America (MHA) of Middle Tennessee, explains his organization’s mantra: “People with something wrong with their body wouldn’t knowingly wait until the disease reached Stage 4 before seeking treatment. But when something is wrong mentally or emotionally, they suffer in silence.” Why? Because of the stigma that society attaches to mental illness. MHA is not a direct-client service provider for persons with mental illness. Rather, their role is to crack open the hard shell of the stigma so that more people can move from suffering to recovery. A big crack starts with the awareness of just how many people are affected by the diseases labeled “mental illness”: 1 in 5 annually! Some of those people might come to mind quickly, perhaps ones with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, but many more are “under the radar.” Mental illness spans the spectrum from “womb to tomb,” including moms with post-partum depression, children with anxiety or attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), teens who are bullied and become suicidal or who are in the grip of an eating disorder, soldiers with post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) or addiction or depression, employees stressed to the max with family and worklife pressures, adults self-mediating their pain with alcohol or opiods, caregivers of their aging loved ones with dementia. All these illnesses take a huge toll on the individual, family, and society. Suicide, for example, is the 10th leading cause of death in Tennessee, greater than the number caused by car accidents. After the illness “blows up” and can no longer be denied (Stage 4), people often say they “knew something was wrong.” But they didn’t know what was going on or where to turn for the prevention and intervention (at Stages 1–3) that could have helped. The Stigma had blamed the signs on bad parenting or sin, or on the individual being lazy or not taking responsibility or just being “trouble.” MHA’s goal is to educate individuals, families, caregivers, pastors, law enforcement, and society, moving them past the stigma to recognizing the signs and to helping those who suffer receive services that lead to recovery and greater well-being. How do volunteers help? MHA of Middle Tennessee has numerous, important one-time opportunities, such as preparing for a health fair or other educational event, staffing the registration table at events or screenings, writing thank you notes to donors, scanning papers into the computer, or answering the phone. But volunteers who have a story to share have an opportunity to make an even bigger impact. They’ve lived through a mental illness of their own or of a family member. The reality—and the hope—they bring to a conversation, a workshop, or a speaking engagement is more powerful than all the statistics. Volunteers do not need to have a counseling background. MHA provides training for the tasks, concentrating on the words not to use (the ones that inadvertently reinforce the stigma) but especially on the words to use in talking with people and sharing their story so that 1 in 5 people get help before Stage 4! In Middle Tennessee to find out more or to volunteer, call 615-269-5355 or visit the website, mhamt.org. Mental Health America is a nationwide organization with more than 100 years of service. To find a chapter near you, visit mha.net.

098 Mariah Ragland—The Nashville Food Project Grow, Cook, Share—The Nashville Food Project Think about times you have been hungry. Have you ever missed multiple meals? Have you not known where your next meal was coming from? One in every seven people in Nashville experiences food insecurity every day. Nearly 1,000 volunteers every month have looked back on their own experiences of hunger—however brief or long—and decided that they don’t want their neighbors to go without. They put their love of food and their love of people to work at The Nashville Food Project (NFP). The Food Project serves 200,000 fresh-cooked, nutritious meals each year! With only 22 staff members, they can do what they do only because of the volunteers who grow, cook, and share the food. Grow. Scattered around Nashville are five small—but very productive—organic gardens. Volunteers help with preparing the beds, planting, weeding, harvesting the food, and even composting. Although the largest garden is only 1.5 acres, these gardens produce all year long. In addition to the summer growing season, they work in the winter too—because volunteers tend them. Cook. Preparing 200,000 meals annually means lots and lots of cooking! Yet NFP faithfully turns them out daily except Sunday and Monday, using only two kitchens—and lots of volunteers who wash, chop, dice, and cook lots of fresh vegetables and fruits and other ingredients for lots of entrees, salads, side dishes, and sometimes desserts. Volunteers also contribute through the Project’s food recovery program, gleaning from a grocery store items that are about to expire, which they then turn into meals. Share. With only two trucks, NFP nevertheless manages with the help of volunteers to deliver all the meals to partner organizations serving persons in need. Those include among others low-income senior citizens at a center, a church with a community meal, an apartment building that houses refugee families from the Congo, and school children in need of a snack. Mariah Ragland, a former volunteer and now the volunteer coordinator, invites individuals, families, and groups to participate. Neither experience nor expertise is required. Everyone who comes will be supported by others helping them know what to do and how. Service can be one-time or regular. Sign up is online and easy. Volunteers, who are themselves nourished by food, also are fed by being part of the mission of The Nashville Food Project: Bringing people together to grow, cook, and share nourishing food, with the goals of cultivating community and alleviating hunger in our city. To learn more or to volunteer, visit thenashvillefoodproject.org and look for the Give Back tab. If you are not in the area, you may find similar opportunities by searching for “hunger” or “food justice” in your browser. You may also check to see if your locality is in a Hands On...network.

097 Dr. Rhonda Switzer-Nadasdi—Interfaith Dental Clinic Restoring Smiles—Interfaith Dental Clinic Two dentists, members of West End United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, had a calling to use their professional skills to help the poor. They traveled to impoverished countries on mission trips to serve, but when they came home, they also saw the effects of poverty right around them. They came up with a proposal, took it to their church where they found a supportive community, and shortly, the Interfaith Dental Clinic opened. What began twenty-five years ago with two dental chairs and some volunteers working part-time in the church’s basement has grown to two fully equipped, 18-chair offices—one in Nashville, another 45 minutes away in Murfreesboro—and many more volunteers plus a few full-time staff, serving annually 2,800 people who have no other options. Dr. Rhonda Switzer-Nadasdi, a dentist herself and also the chief executive of the Interfaith Dental Clinic, points out that neither Medicaid nor Medicare provides dental care. For people struggling with meeting needs for food, housing, and other basics, going to the dentist feels like a luxury they simply can’t afford. Too often people don’t realize the essential nature of good oral care, which affects overall health, social contact, and economic opportunity. Research has confirmed a strong link between poor oral health and stroke, diabetes, heart issues, and cancer. Research has also shown how vital having good friends and other social contacts are to well-being, but persons with bad teeth don’t feel comfortable speaking or eating in front of others. They withdraw and become isolated and locked in depression. In a job interview, most potential employers within seconds screen out persons whose teeth are rotted, missing, or stained. Without a healthy smile, people suffer in surprising ways. Dr. Switzer-Nadasdi matches volunteers with patients. Nearly 200 dentists with many different specialties and other dental professionals such as hygienists and dental assistants give their time and expertise regularly, some once a week, some once a month, others as they can. Dental students and younger students exploring dentistry also volunteer. Retired dentists often serve as mentors as well as providers. Additional volunteers help welcome and comfort patients and give them the dental hygiene bags they’ve assembled. Still other volunteers bring their skills for accounting, data crunching, advocating for better policy, grant writing, and fundraising. Patients are charged on a sliding scale, based on income and family numbers, but the rest of the cost is covered by donations and grants. Committed to providing long-term, comprehensive oral health care, done with dignity for the recipients, Interfaith Dental Clinic does not simply deal with emergencies such as extractions and alleviating acute pain, rather they seek to change lives. Restoring smiles is a great start! To find out more or to volunteer, visit interfaithdentalclinic.com. Many major cities, in addition to Nashville, have similar programs. Check in your local area, perhaps with your own dentist, to find one near you.

096 Jennifer AbernathyTennessee Respite Coalition A Win-Win-Win OpportunityTennessee Respite Coalition If you've ever flown, you've likely heard the airlines instruction that, in the case of an emergency and the oxygen mask drops, you are to put yours on before assisting someone else. For people whose natural inclination is to help others, the directive seems harsh, but its a lifesaver because unless you take care of yourself, you will soon run out of oxygen, which is crucial for you to function. Without it, you will not be able to help someone else in need. That truth motivated the formation of the Tennessee Respite Coalition in the 1990s. The organization gives the gift of time for caregivers to take care of themselves, providing a bit of relief from the extraordinary and intensive demands of providing ongoing care. The services are for caregivers of patients anywhere on the whole life span and include a statewide helpline, vouchers to reimburse some of the costs of caregiving, and the Senior Companionship Program. As "companions" these volunteers do not administer medications, provide any physical rehabilitation activities, or assist with transfer. Rather, they are what the doctor ordered for loneliness. They may simply come to talk, to play cards or other games, or to accompany a patient on a special outing. They are friends who care. Their cheery presence gives the fulltime caregiver—family member or professional—a break and the patient some welcome social interaction. To be a Senior Companion requires meeting three criteria: Being friendly, being 55 years old or older, and being under the federal guidelines for income. The companions receive a small stipend from the Corporation for National and Community Service. The income cap assures that older adults with limited financial resources themselves can benefit also through giving of their service to others. The program is a win-win-win! The patient, the caregiver, and the Companion all gain. But Jennifer Abernathy, the volunteer coordinator, hears from the Companions in their monthly meeting. They talk about the relationships with the people they serve—not the stipend—as what keeps them coming back. Those monthly meetings also provide continuous training for the volunteers and regular counseling for them, as well, because they too experience grief when their new friends die. One consolation for the volunteers is often the outpouring of thanks from the family as they recognize the gift of friendship the Senior Companion has given to their loved one. Caring and being cared for are both the essential oxygen that enables the Senior Companions to help others. In Tennessee, for more information visit tnrespite.org. Nationwide, as well as in Tennessee, for more information about Senior Companions and other opportunities, visit nationalservice.gov. Look under Senior Corps and then go to Senior Programs.

095 Johnny Rose—Hummingbirds at the Park Caring for Something Bigger—Hummingbirds at the Park Johnny Rose has always loved nature. After moving to Nashville, he discovered the 3,100+ acres of the Warner Parks and spent many wonderful hours there walking with his dog or with friends. When he retired, he decided he would like to be part of something bigger than himself. Nature was the logical answer for him: “The parks have always given to me; I wanted to give back to them.” From the first day of volunteering there, he knew he had found the right place. As a volunteer, Johnny has done a variety of tasks, but his passion is with the hummingbirds. Knowing that the little ones need to consume half of their body weight each day in order to survive, Johnny is diligent in his care of the 25 feeders around the Warner Parks Nature Center. They have to be cleaned and refilled twice a week. Johnny also enjoys talking with the many visitors to the park about the hummingbirds. But his real delight is the August–September hummingbird banding season. The Nature Center has been a Premier Banding Site in the Southeast since the 1980’s. As a volunteer, Johnny assists the accredited banders in the tasks of capturing the birds, assessing their weight, age, gender, and condition, banding them (if needed), and logging in the information. Releasing the tiny birds is a ritual of its own. Johnny can transfer the quiet bird to the hands of a child or an adult so that they too feel the magic of gently holding this tiny gem. They can hear the heartbeat, open their hands, and allow this marvelous creature to fly free again. Through the banding program, naturalists have learned that hummingbirds come back year after year to the same locations, so lots of the birds captured each year at the Nature Center know the routine. Sometimes, when the hands open, the birds will remain quiet for a few extra seconds before flying off, giving the holder an unforgettable moment of appreciation of the wonders of nature. Caring for the birds’ immediate needs for food; helping gather and share the information that enables humanity to understand, appreciate, and care for their long-term needs, such as reducing the use of pesticides; and facilitating those momentary, yet life-changing connections of holding a trusting, precious jewel in one’s hands—these are the rewards that bring Johnny back week after week to give back to something bigger than him. The Warner Parks and the Nature Center have need for volunteers in many areas. To find the one (or more) that speaks to you, visit the Friends of Warner Parks at warnerparks.org.

094 Faye Maynard—Project Connect Nashville Not to Fix, But to Love —Project Connect Nashville Founded in 2013, Project Connect Nashville (PCN) exists “to help disconnected and vulnerable men, women, and their families build relationships with others who will encourage and guide them, providing assistance when needed, educating and equipping them for the challenges each day brings, and celebrating every victory along the way.” In other words, to be with vulnerable people as friends, helping them GOSO (Get Out Stay Out) of poverty—not through fixing them, but by loving them. It was a friend who first connected Faye Maynard to the people in the program. She saw how the organization was assisting people in poverty—people who wanted to change their lives. She saw also that, in addition to a well-thought out curriculum for transformation, Project Connect has a heart for the poor, coming from their ultimate mentor—Jesus Christ. She volunteered first to bring a few meals, but her own commitment grew as she also saw the undeniable results in the people. People sign up for a six-weeks, four-nights-a-week curriculum dealing with work and life skills, faith and finances, and understanding the story of God’s love for them. They come from a variety of places in the area, but many live in a nearby apartment complex where PCN volunteers also do programming, including Vacation Bible School, for the children and alongside the residents work in the garden there, growing relationships, as well as food. An artist, Faye has put her interests and skills to work on behalf of her new friends, enabling them to engage their own creativity, to learn to think differently about themselves, and to experience community through various art projects that are woven into the Work Life curriculum, which recognizes that creativity, self-worth, and team work are also important in the job market. “God has opened my eyes to the needs of people in my own community and led me to greater compassion. I’ve been blessed,” Faye states as she reflects on how the relationships she has made through her volunteering have had an impact on her, as well. Volunteers bring whatever skills and interests and available time they have. Their training is focused on helping them understand the challenges people in poverty face and to see them—not a project to be fixed—but as persons to be loved, as friends. To find out more or to volunteer as an individual or as a congregation, visit projectconnectnashville.org.

093 Cathy Shull—Salvation Army Fighting for Those in Need—The Salvation Army Ask anyone about the Salvation Army and they'll very likely respond, "Oh yes, they're the ones who have the bell-ringing Santas with the big Red Kettles and the Angel Trees. They've been around forever!" The respondents are right, of course. The Salvation Army began in 1865 and has collected money Christmas after Christmas for people in need, including children and seniors who benefit from being chosen from the Angel Trees. But that's not all the Salvation Army does, Cathy Shull points out. A 30+ year volunteer, she has seen the ins and outs of the organization. Both as a member of the Women's Auxiliary and also as an Advisory Board member, she has rung the bell, recruited other bell ringers, worked the onsite Thrift Shop, filled backpacks and Christmas stockings, helped with meals, raised money for the renovation of a facility, and been part of the oversight and decision making that keeps the Salvation Army on record as a charity with one of the highest percentages of contributions going directly to serving the needy (rather than to administrative or marketing costs). "Every penny is helping someone," Cathy declares. Recognizing that there are no quick fixes, the Salvation Army has wrap-around services to get individuals and families back on track. Starting with the basic needs for food, shelter, and clothing, the assistance often extends to training for employment, including learning and practicing interview skills, as well as physical, mental, and dental health care. But the heart of all the caring is focused on turning hearts to God, who is the ultimate Healer and Provider. Those in need participate in Bible study, worship, and prayer; and they are surrounded by a loving community—including volunteers—who know the love of God and share it. Cathy is impressed by how much the Army does and how effective they are as they "fight for those in need." But even more, she is humbled by the selflessness of the staff and volunteers as they carry out their mission. "They are the most giving, loving people I've been around—I benefit too," she declares. Volunteers can do as "little" as ring a bell for a two-hour shift or shop for one of the Angels. Whatever time a volunteer has available to give helps someone in need. Those pennies and dollars in the Red Kettle are also helping! To volunteer, visit slavationarmyusa.org. The website will direct you to a facility near you. If you want a vacation where you can also volunteer, the organization is in 131 countries! 

092 Paul Fowler—Friends of Warner Parks One-and-Done or Falling in Love—Friends of Warner Parks As urbanization grows, so does the longing for the counterbalance that being in nature supplies. Annually, nearly 1.5 million people in the Nashville area take advantage of their convenient access to 3,200 uncrowded acres in the Warner Parks to feed their soul. Percy Warner, Edwin Warner, and the neighboring new Birch Reserve invite people to immerse themselves in restorative "play"—alone or with friends and family—through 17 miles of hiking trails, easy access (closed to vehicle traffic) roadways for walking or biking, six miles of the Little Harpeth River, many horse trails, two golf courses, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and much more. Additionally, staff and volunteers present educational programming year round, including wildflower walks, geology talks, natural gardening, hummingbird close-ups and banding, plus docent service at the parks' Nature Center. Combining all that with various festivals, runs, fundraisers, and other events, the parks are a treasure with something for everyone. Behind the scenes, volunteers are working with nature and the staff to care for the parks. Paul Fowler, the volunteer coordinator on staff, offers monthly stewardship opportunities for people with various skills and interests to participate. For example, in the spring especially, the Muddy Buddies care for the trails; summer finds volunteers cleaning up the picnic areas, cooling off while clearing the Little Harpeth River, or restoring the historic rock walls. These activities continue through the fall. In winter volunteers tackle the invasive plants that would otherwise crowd out the native flora and limit the biodiversity of the parks. These occasions are one-and-done options for people to give their time and energy for just a half-day or so, but often volunteers find that experience a gateway into giving more. They fall in love. Fortunately, Paul knows how to match volunteers who wish to commit to a regular schedule or longer period with other soul-feeding ways to give back to nature and specifically to the parks they love. Paul points out that other natural areas—both in metro Nashville and in Tennessee's state park system, and also across the country—need volunteers to preserve and protect as well as to enjoy them. Giving back to nature, whether through a one-and-done or regular commitment not only feeds the volunteers' soul but everyone else's for years to come. For more information visit warnerparks.org or email paul.fowler@nashville.gov.

091 Kathy Jackson—Greyhound Pets of America Rescuing Greyhounds From Misconceptions—Greyhound Pets of America As a U.S. mail carrier, Kathy Jackson also carried treats for the dogs on her routes. One of her very special "friends" was a former racing greyhound. When Kathy retired, she knew exactly what type of dog she wanted. She adopted Manny, a newly retired racer who won her heart. Kathy doesn't use the word "rescue" very often in her conversations about greyhound racing. Too many people have the misconception that the dogs are mistreated during their competitive phase, which is far from the reality. Nor are they euthanized when those racing days are over. Greyhound Pets of America (GPA) steps in to find responsible, loving homes for the retirees. People like Kathy and her husband. GPA sponsors weekly Meet 'n' Greets at local pet stores, inviting greyhound owners to come with their dogs to talk with interested people about the desirability of retired greyhounds as pets. Many people have another misconception that such a big dog might not fit well into a family situation or even be OK in an apartment. But standing there, petting such a gentle giant and listening to enthusiastic owners, people gain a new perspective. Across the U.S. through the efforts of the organization's volunteers, more than 200,000 greyhounds have found their forever homes. In 2017 alone the Nashville Chapter placed 92. In addition to the Meet 'n' Greets, volunteers help adoptive parents know and understand what "responsible" greyhound ownership is. For example, zoomies! The hounds are bred for speed, and unlike some other hound breeds their strength is sight—not scent. If the dog were off leash in an open area and something caught its attention, it would instinctively set off. Greyhounds are the second fastest land animal (behind cheetahs); they can reach 40 miles per hour in three strides! So intent, they don't respond to an owner's voice and they are unaware of such things as cars. When they do slow down, they may have no idea of how to find their way back since sight, not scent, is their guide. Instead, allowing the hound to zoom around a fenced yard for a few minutes or taking two 20-minute walks a day are responsible—and adequate. Those always lead to a good long nap or two or three. Greyhounds are easy keepers. In addition to adoptive parents, GPA chapters need volunteers as foster parents, exposing the animals to experiences different from the ones they had as racers, for example, seeing a cat or a child for the first time, going up and down stairs, or walking on slippery wood floors rather than on a dirt track and concrete. Also, the chapters seek board members. As one, Kathy keeps the website current. If you want to learn more about volunteering or about the greyhounds, visit the site, greyhoundpets.org. Or check in your area for a Meet 'n' Greet at a local pet store. In Nashville you can find Kathy many Saturdays at PetSmart in 100 Oaks Mall. Manny will be there too. Check out www.greyhoundpets.org.

090 Sue Baumgartner—Senior Ride Nashville Still Going Strong—Thanks to Senior Ride Nashville Ninety-three years old and still going strong—thanks to volunteers at Senior Ride Nashville! Three days a week this lady goes to the Y for exercise, and once a week she goes to her own volunteer commitment at St. Thomas Hospital. She doesn't let her age hold her back from what is important to her, but without Sue Baumgartner and the other volunteers at Senior Ride she would be homebound. Losing opportunities to take care of herself physically, to have social contact, and to contribute to the well being of others would almost certainly send her into premature decline. Senior Ride Nashville's creators—the Council on Aging of Middle Tennessee and the Senior Transportation Leadership Coalition—recognized the hazards of no longer being able to drive and found a way to meet the need. Begun just in 2017, the program is growing as more people learn about it—both riders and volunteer drivers. As a volunteer, Sue is appreciative of the how easy the management team makes her job. Every Friday the next week's requests are posted online. She can select what fits her schedule and preferred driving radius. She gives half a day a week. The minimum requirement for volunteer drivers is one time a month. Typically, riders need to go to doctor appointments, the grocery store, or a social engagement. They can request a second stop on the same trip if need be. They must also be able to get themselves in and out of the car, and the management team works to match their abilities to do so with the vehicle that will be most suitable for them. Currently, riders need to plan their outings at least three days in advance; however, sooner turnarounds may come as the organization grows. Any last minute cancelations are quickly communicated to the driver, respecting the volunteer's time. Riders pay $6.00 per round trip. Very often in appreciation they want to tip or give a gift to their drivers, but the volunteers are strictly volunteer. They find their pay in knowing their service contributes the quality of life of their aging riders. "I marvel at the people I meet," says Sue. She enjoys the conversations and is inspired by their spirit. Retired herself, she finds in them great role models for her own path ahead. She sees possibilities for when she is 93 and is glad Senior Ride Nashville will be around for her too. For more information about the program, visit seniorridenashville.org.

089 John Hisle—Jubilee Jobs Second Chance for a Better Life—Jubilee Jobs Nearly 40 years ago the Church of the Savior in Washington, D.C. stepped into the job market—not for themselves, but for others. A group of members realized their neighbors in a nearby low-income housing project were struggling to find work. So with the call to "love your neighbor" in their hearts, they began Jubilee Jobs, which has subsequently prepared and placed nearly 26,000 people in the workforce. Volunteers with the program begin helping applicants develop a resume´. Most have never done so, which is one of their barriers to employment. Most also come with other obstacles they must overcome, including past incarceration, addiction, or homelessness, as well as having barely any computer skills and very limited access to computers. Jubilee Jobs, however, is a wrap-around program, providing not only that first-step resume´ assistance, but also computer access and coaching on filling out online applications. What's more, applicants receive training and practice in interviewing, which helps them overcome their fears and become confident. Too, the program coaches interviewees on dressing appropriately and will secure needed apparel. Additionally, volunteers work with applicants on expected workplace behavior and anger management. A growing number of employers know about Jubilee Jobs and will invite applicants who have gone through the program to interview. Prospective employers view the organization as a trustworthy first-round screener that makes their job of hiring easier. If after an interview applicants are not selected, they still have hope because Jubilee Jobs volunteers will continue their work with them until they do land a good job. For 10-year volunteer John Hisle, retired from executive management in health care, working with Jubilee Jobs one day a week is a blessing. Through the program he has met, gotten to know, befriended, and been befriended by people he would not have otherwise. He is inspired by the resilience of the human spirit he sees in these applicants who are eager to learn and who don't give up. For John, mentoring his new friends is a way to give back. He knows he is blessed to be a blessing to others. Why would a church become involved in the job market? The answer lies in the name "Jubilee." In the Bible the Jubilee Year (every 50th year) was a part of God's economy of grace, which provided for the land (the source of wealth at the time) to be redistributed to the original owners, giving a second chance to people who were caught in some way by forces that had left them impoverished and on the margins. Helping people have a second chance at a better life is the vision of the faith-based program and the volunteers at Jubilee Jobs. For more information about Jubilee Jobs, visit jubileejobs.org. For other faith-based organizations, including churches, that have "entered the job market" in various ways, check your local area. In the Nashville, Tennessee, vicinity one church to contact is Brentwood United Methodist Church at bumc.net and type in "career transitions" in the search bar.

088 Pat Dishman—Full Moon Pickin’ Party The Full Moon Pickin’ Party—A Natural for Volunteers Like many people whose professional life keeps them behind a desk, Pat Dishman longed to be outside. Unlike many people in that circumstance, Pat did something! Ten years before she retired, she began volunteering on weekends with Friends of Warner Parks. Only nine miles from downtown Nashville, the fields and forests of Percy and Edwin Warner Parks provide a nature experience in their 3,100 acres to a million people annually. In support of this 91-year-old treasure in the city and working in partnership with the Metropolitan government, the Friends of Warner Parks organization coordinates volunteers, raises funds, carries out trail maintenance, preserves the historic aspects of the parks, and provides nearly 1,400 educational programs each year—plus six Full Moon Pickin' Parties! (After all, Nashville is Music City!) On the Friday nights closest to the full moon, May through October, musicians and music lovers come out Percy Warner Park's Equestrian area to make music under the stars. Three bands play "on stage" during the course of this family-friendly evening, but everywhere else are impromptu groups of people playing their own instruments with friends and strangers alike. Everyone is having fun! A very popular event, the Pickin' Parties raise money for the various projects of the Friends of Warner Parks, but the Friends are also investing their time and energy as volunteers so that the funds go into making the parks a place for all to enjoy for free. Pat and her husband typically staff the booth selling "BeFriend Warner Parks" T-shirts. But Pat has done many different things, including rolling up her sleeves to help rid the parks of invasive plants, planting new trees, and assisting with the work needed to open a new section, the Burch Reserve, which was purchased and prepared by the Friends, adding more than 200 acres to the parks exclusively for hikers. While "trail maintenance" may sound daunting to unskilled or older volunteers, Pat has great praise for how well the volunteer coordinator, Paul Fowler, matches the task to the skill and energy levels among the ones who come to lend a hand. She credits him also for developing a culture of helping volunteers learn new skills so they enjoy the work and are proud of their accomplishment and contribution. To find out more about the Friends of Warner Parks, go to warnerparks.org. Or come by the parks' Nature Center, where you may well be greeted by Pat Dishman, who also volunteers in the museum. But you won't find her behind the desk!

087 Nelson Santos—Volunteer Overseas for Free Spreading Love Through Action—Volunteer Overseas for Free You care about others, and you are adventuresome. Volunteering overseas appeals to you, but not at the price quoted in the fancy brochures! You and Nelson Santos are kindred spirits. Fortunately, he's blazed a trail for you. With his help, you can volunteer overseas—for free. Nelson has only had to spend plane fare for the last several years to volunteer in amazing places: Alaska, helping with a donation drive for hospice; Nepal, building schools; Mexico and Thailand, working in dog shelters; Myanmar, attending to the sick and dying in the care of a monastery; and Mexico, caring for children in a refuge for the underprivileged. He spends two weeks to two months in each assignment. The experiences have challenged him and, in his words, made him "a stronger man." They have also been deeply satisfying as he sees that his putting love into action has changed not only him but also those he has served. To find these opportunities, Nelson had to do a lot of searching on the web. That has led him to creating a path for others. Now with more than 7,000 "members" in his online Facebook community, he is able to assist them in finding volunteer opportunities for free, as well. In addition through his online service, Nelson prepares those who are interested. He recommends starting to volunteer close to home, on a week-long mission trip, or on a minimal commitment basis while on an overseas vacation, such as at a dog shelter or soup kitchen. These "toe in the water" experiences are often enough to help people take the plunge, dedicating more time in more challenging situations. Nelson also encourages people to volunteer from their strengths, rather than going hoping to learn a new skill. Carpentry, construction and repair skills, medical expertise, and teaching and training others at various levels are especially needed and of great value to the serving agency. He also reminds new volunteers that the host will provide food and accommodations but not to expect too much. These places willingly share from what little they have, which is not like going back to a hotel at night for a shower and a steak. Volunteers may work harder than they have ever before, but the payment of love is priceless. Now working full time volunteering and expanding his online assistance to other potential volunteers, Nelson supports his own financial needs only through the sale of his T-shirts. He says, "My purpose us to show kindness, help the needy, and inspire others to do the same." For him volunteering is a lifestyle—not an event. It’s a way to spread love. To find out more, follow Nelson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/travelingvolunteeryogi. He is also working on and will soon launch a website: volunteeroverseasforfree.com. Look for it. If you are interested in supporting Nelson's efforts or you just like really cool T-shirts, check out smilingtimes.com.

086 Amy Bond—Monroe Harding Foster Care Services Disrupting the Disruptions—Monroe Harding Foster Care Services Disrupted! Disruptive! Disruption. These three words are a concise description of the experiences of children who land in foster care. Something has torn apart their family. The trauma may come from within the family or from forces outside. The family is disrupted. In children, trauma frequently manifests itself in disruptive behavior. Losing their family and their sense of safety, security, and being loved shoves children into "survival mode," off balance and struggling desperately to regain their footing. Acting out is a frantic grasping for a steadying hand. Disruptive behavior is also an indicator of another change in the brain itself. Unchecked, those changes have generational consequences. Often the young people in foster care have parents whose lives have also been previously wounded by trauma. "Disrupted" and "disruptive" need disruption. Monroe Harding Foster Care Services steps up to interrupt the negative and help children and families heal and, when possible, to reunite and move forward positively. Key in that "disruption" are the volunteer foster parents. Currently through Monroe Harding, 45 families have opened their homes and their hearts to provide stability, security, and love. Research has shown that routine, that feeling nothing bad is going to happen, and a sense that someone cares all help the brain to heal and the disruptive behaviors to cease. The love and support that the foster families give make change possible even for the most traumatized. Amy Bond, Monroe Harding's Foster Care Coordinator, prepares prospective foster parents and provides training and other support for them. The process may take as long as six months before receiving a child, but many of those 45 families have been fostering children for multiple years, one for 25 and another for 30. They've found great reward in doing so. With nearly 9,000 young people in foster care in Tennessee alone (and nearly half a million in the U.S.), more volunteers are needed. Countering a pernicious stereotype, Amy points out that foster parents don't get rich off the limited funds they receive from the state. Foster families are carefully screened, and the remuneration is only a minimal attempt to cover the extra expenses incurred by taking in a child. Monroe Harding has been providing care for 125 years, first for orphans and now for the young people in foster care. They regularly see foster families open their hearts (regardless of the expense) because they know that their loving care is a needed and positive disruption for a young person and for generations to come. For more about Monroe Harding, including other volunteer opportunities, visit monroeharding.org. For similar programs in your area, search for foster parenting.

085 Don Schulze—Nations Ministry Center Citizenship Classes Citizenship Classes—No Trivial Matter! "I'm a lot of fun at parties," quips Don Schulze. "I know a bunch of 'trivia.'" Don also makes his classes lots of fun, but his class material is not trivial. As a volunteer for the Nations Ministry Center in Nashville, Tennessee, he teaches citizenship preparation to immigrants who want to make America their official country as well as their home. Most of Don's students are refugees. They've fled persecution, survived war, endured the hardships of overcrowded camps, and now have to navigate a new culture, a new language, and a new life. Not shying away, they choose to take the next step to become United States citizens. To pass the test, applicants must answer only six questions correctly. Sounds easy, but the catch is that the questions chosen come from a pool of 100. So students have to know all 100 answers to be sure of passing the six they are asked. No trivial task! The test is the equivalent of a final exam from a high school civics courseU.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, government structures, American history, and the principles upon which this country was foundedinformation many native born citizens couldn't easily answer at a party! Don teaches with a lightness that includes fun as well as facts, learning to know each student and recognizing the ranges of challenges individuals face, and listening to their stories as well as teaching the material that will be tested. "I have enormous respect for these people," says Don. "It's humbling to realize the obstacles they have had to overcome." Getting to know the people and seeing them desire this next step into citizenship keeps him volunteering. After retiring, Don and his wife moved from California to Nashville in 2011. His interest in teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) led him to the citizenship classes when he learned about the Nations Ministry Center from his church. The Center, which resources new arrivals to this country in a variety of ways, has other volunteer opportunities, as well. Among those are job coaching, helping school children learn to read in their new language, and assisting families, as they find their way in a new city and a new life. For more about the Nations Ministry Center, listen to Retire-to Volunteering Podcast #80 or visit their website nationsministrycenter.org.

084 Katie Richards—Nashville Neighbors Friends for Good—Siloam Family Health Center Take a moment to appreciate your friends. You know you can count on them for a listening ear when you're trying to figure out things, for good information and advice when you need direction, for help when you're in a bind, and yes, even for fun. Research has documented the value of friendships, showing that they contribute to the health, wellbeing, and confidence of people. Siloam Family Health Center serves the under-served population of Nashville, especially newly arrived refugees. The 25+ year-old program includes a primary care clinic, seeing 4,000 to 5,000 patients a year. Additionally, the center provides health education programs for their clients. And as "a whole-person health care ministry," Siloam has developed a program connecting the refugees with volunteer teams of new "friends," their own Nashville Neighbors. According to Katie Richards, Siloam's volunteer coordinator, a team is composed of six to 14 adults, usually ones who already know one another, such as being from the same church or sharing another type of friendship tie. Siloam provides training about the kinds of needs and questions the refugees face and also about the specific culture from which the refugees have come. Siloam also pays for an interpreter to facilitate communication between the team and the family. Team members share the responsibility for being good neighbors so they, as friends, can support one another in this new venture and no one person is overwhelmed. The team commits to six months as Nashville Neighbors. What happens during those brief months? Many of the refugees have fled violence and war in their home country only to be "housed" in a crowded refugee camp in yet another country, sometimes for as many as 14 years. Leaving behind whatever little support system they had and coming to America, they face a new language, new systems, new expectations of them, new challenges. Having friends to "walk along side them" makes something as "simple" as filling out an application (in a language that they don't speak) and negotiating other common tasks of daily living in a new culture and society much more manageable. As for the friends on the team, as they get to know the names, faces, and stories of their new neighbors and see them blossom with better health, wellbeing, and confidence, the Nashville Neighbor teams find their own hesitations dissipating and the blessings flowing both ways. For more information about Siloam, visit siloamhealth.org. To find out more about Nashville 4rNeighbors, contact Katie Richards at 615-921-6114.

083 Kate McKinnie—The Next Door Wild Praying Women Create The Next Door They called themselves the Wild Praying Women! Concerned for the sufferings of people, they didn't know what to do, but pray. Funny thing about prayer—it often leads to action, which is what the Wild Praying Women found out. But now they had a clearer vision of where to concentrate their efforts, as well as their prayers: women and their families. The result is The Next Door, where 82 women at a time struggling with addiction (especially with opioids), mental illness, trauma, and/or incarceration can receive effective, caring treatment in a comprehensive residential program for 30 days plus outpatient services, alumni meetings, family services, and affordable housing options for themselves and their children after they have completed the initial stay at the facility. In 2017 alone 1,442 women and 367 family members found their way to a new life, simply by walking through The Next Door. Kate McKinnie, the volunteer coordinator, points out that many treatment centers for various reasons do not use volunteers, but especially since The Next Door was founded by volunteers—those Wild Praying Women—the organization values the contributions of volunteers and offers numerous meaningful ways to support the women and the center, including lunch and dinner teams, childcare helpers, clothing closet workers, ambassadors for the program, and Bible study leaders. Girls Night In events provide fun activities, led by volunteers who may bring their own expertise, such as in arts or crafts, or who can create a good time for all, perhaps around a movie or a special theme. While many volunteers are on site, others work behind the scenes. Serving nearly 1,500 women a year requires lots of supplies, and the wish list is long—including such items as socks, shampoo, feminine hygiene products, hairbrushes, even stamped notecards so the women can write to their families. Volunteers organize collection drives to fulfill these basic needs. Still other "virtual volunteers" (working from home) write notes of welcome and support to the women, most of whom have not had a lot of encouragement and hope in their lives. Undergirded by prayer and supported by caring volunteers as well as a committed professional staff, the center has an 80% success rate, as measured by the lives of the women after three years. Those Wild Praying Women—and all the other volunteers along the way—are truly helping women and their families through their own “next door” to a better life. For more information about the program, volunteer opportunities, or the wish list, visit thenextdoor.org.

082 George Bone—Memphis Catholic High School Building for the Future—Memphis Catholic High School After more than 20 years of volunteering, George Bone was no stranger to the rewards of giving back. But one reward was a big surprise to him. His alma mater, Memphis Catholic High School, wanted to honor him not only for his academic and athletic accomplishments while he was a student but also for the ways he had lived out the potential shown during those years in his work life and on behalf of his community as a volunteer. At the dinner to pay tribute to him and the nine others being inducted into the school's Hall of Fame, George especially noticed the students who were serving. They were respectful, well mannered, and passionate about their schooling, so much so that George wanted to know more. A second visit and what he learned opened yet another volunteering avenue. "I became fascinated by what the school does and basically just asked, 'What can I do?'" he recalls. Memphis Catholic High School, much changed from George's day of 50+ years earlier, serves low-income students, 75% of whom are from single-parent families, and for four years in a row all of the seniors have been accepted for college. Part of the high school's success is their internship program. Students go to school almost year round but only for four days a week. The other day they are working in a Memphis area business, earning $2,000, which in turn helps to offset the cost of their private school. The students value the work experience and the knowledge that they are earning their education. An executive in his career, George put his skills to work laying the groundwork for an alumni association to ensure the continuation of excellence for the school, which will celebrate 100 years in 2022. But his volunteering with the students has kept his passion high! The school has an emphasis on helping the learners develop a moral compass so that they can better navigate the ups and downs of life. Invited to share his stories from his life with the students, George, as a 70-year-old, was surprised and humbled at how readily the 17-year-olds responded, giving back to him a reward he cherishes. George admits not everyone can volunteer at his alma mater, but schools are all around us, which means opportunities are there too! Schools where parents, grandparents, and other adults are involved are better able to surround their students with needed resources and a crucial message—that people care—both of which make a difference in lives immediately and for a lifetime. For more information about this school, visit memphiscatholic.org. To find a school-related volunteer opportunity near you, do your homework.

081 Mita Felman—DC Safe Never Ever Dull—DC Safe When Mita Felman retired from her career in public health administration and counseling, she didn't leave behind her compassion—nor her sense of adventure nor her willingness to take a risk. She brought all of that to her volunteer job with DC Safe, which takes her into areas of her city deemed unsafe and into circumstances no one wants to be a part of. As Mita says, the job has "never ever been dull"! Responding to a domestic abuse call dressed in everyday, "normal" clothes, Mita is in contrast to her partner, a uniformed police officer. In such conflicts, experience has shown that having the volunteer along can be calming and reassuring because the police are often viewed in that community with trepidation. With the kind of listening and counseling skills Mita and the other volunteers have, victims will more readily open up in ways that they would not have to the police, especially not to a male officer if the victim is female. Consequently, Mita is able to assist the victim and also the officer, who can then better focus on the situation, the perpetrator, and the law enforcement needs, knowing the victim is in good hands. A relatively new program of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, DC Safe is growing as its effectiveness is proven again and again. Volunteers go through a lengthy application process (about six months) as they are thoroughly screened by the department, making sure that the volunteers are a good fit for the challenging encounters ahead. Then the training they receive prepares them further. Mita has been especially pleased to work with the police, appreciating first-hand their politeness, skill, dedication, and professionalism in the face of conflict and danger. Initially wondering if she'd be viewed as a nuisance or as in the way by the officers, she has experienced only kindness, support, and admiration from them. For Mita, who has had a wonderful life and career, seeing how others struggle day-to-day has given her a strong commitment to continue to use her skills and life experience in ways that make a difference and give back to others. That commitment also makes her life never dull! If you have further interest in DC Safe, either to volunteer or to explore possibilities for setting up a domestic violence liaison program in your area, visit https://mpdc.dc.gov/page/domestic-violence-liaison or call 202-506-2901.

080 Chris Lovingood—Nations Ministry Center Huge Challenges/Great Opportunities—Nations Ministry Center They have fled persecution, violence, war, hunger, life in makeshift and overcrowded camps. As refugees coming to America, they have been given a chance for a new life. But now they face a new set of ordeals having to navigate the complexities of daily life in a new culture and do so with minimal language skills. Resettlement agencies assist newly arrived refugees for three to four months with many of their firsts, including obtaining housing, registering the children for school, getting the required health screening, figuring out how and where to buy food, and finding a job and the means to get to it. But the needs don't stop at the end of those few months. So the Nations Ministry Center steps up. The Nations Ministry Center is specific to Nashville, Tennessee, which has a surprisingly large refugee population (8,000 to 10,000). Chris Lovingood, the Executive Director, characterizes the efforts of the organization as moving the families toward self-sufficiency. The goals are for the children, youth, and seniors as well as adults to integrate, assimilate, live meaningful lives, and contribute ultimately as citizens. The Ministry Center works tirelessly to help everyone in the family improve their language skills and literacy. Volunteers especially assist middle school and elementary children after school with homework and in the summer with reading skills, as well as occasional field trips and other fun events. Other volunteers assist seniors with basic language and cultural literacy in their new home. Chris and other staff, with some clerical assistance from volunteers, work to help the adults find better jobs, so the family can become more economically stable. In addition, they aid the adults with understanding the regulations and applying for their Green Card and for citizenship. Volunteers know they are helping the families, but they also report being in awe, inspired by the resilience of those who have suffered much, especially the children, and also by their drive to learn in order to make a better life for themselves and their family. The refugees have faced and continue to deal with huge challenges, but they embrace them as great opportunities. That spirit is the gift they give back to the volunteers. To find out more about Nations Ministry Center and its volunteer opportunities, visit nationsministrycenter.org or call 615-828-9664.

079 Bill Martin—Scouting Preparing Better Grown Ups—Through Scouting Laid off and laid up—two unexpected setbacks in life forced Bill Martin onto a different course, one that 18 years later he is still happily following as a volunteer in Scouting. His wife had been helping with their young sons' first two years in the program, but without a job, Bill suddenly had time and took his turn in leadership. Shortly after, he broke his leg in a biking accident. Always a hands-on doer, Bill could have simply quit, but he found himself enjoying Scouting, so he learned to delegate. As a result, a leadership team jelled for the troop. By the time those temporary setbacks in Bill's life disappeared, he was hooked. Even after his own sons had grown, Bill continued with Scouting. He has participated in all three levels of volunteering with Scouting. The first level is one that often attracts parents and grandparents—working with their own sons and daughters in a pack, troop, or crew as part of the leadership team. Participating with the Scouts, seeing the young persons, including their own children, experience wholesome camaraderie, grow in their skills, and mature in the values the program emphasizes often keeps the parents and grandparents volunteering beyond the tenure of their own family. Some volunteers move into various district level Scouting opportunities. Bill is a Commissioner, assisting three troops. As such, he facilitates communication among the three as well as between the district and the troops. He also helps coordinate special events, including camporees and special ceremonies in which all three troops are together. Bill also volunteers as a merit badge counselor, the third volunteer level. To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, the young persons must complete at least 21 badges. With more than 130 badges possible in Scouting, volunteers with some expertise in the various interests and skills are needed. Bill's specialties are model railroading and public speaking, for example. While this level of engagement with the Scouts is relatively short, each volunteer must submit an application and go through the program's Youth Protection Training. In fact, keeping the young ones (kindergarten through age 20) safe from predators, abuse, and even cyber bullying is such a priority that all regular volunteers repeat the course every two years. Scouting is designed to be a mostly outdoors experience. The youth do not have to be physically strong—Scouts learn to help everyone succeed. The active nature of the program is often the hook that brings in the boys, girls, parents, and grandparents. But the mission of Scouting is to instill the values and judgment that are defined in the Scout Oath and Law, preparing them to be responsible, participating citizens—better grown ups, who, like Bill, are also able to deal positively with life's setbacks. For more information about Scouting in your area, visit scouting.org. FYI: In 2019 watch for a name change. Boy Scouts of America will officially become Scouts BSA to celebrate the inclusion of girls!  

078 Laura Valentine—Penuel Ridge Away From It All—Penuel Ridge Retreat Center Helicopters, sirens, traffic, deadlines, quotas, to-do lists, demanding devices—noise, noise, noise, pressure, pressure, pressure—the hallmarks of everyday life! Where is the escape, the safe space away from it all, a place to simply to be, to renew, to reconnect? Laura Valentine knows. Laura is the executive director of Penuel Ridge, a small retreat center not far from bustling Nashville, yet nestled in 135 acres of quiet, where individuals and small groups (of no more than 18) can find themselves. Open 365 days a year, Penuel Ridge is a contemplative, interfaith center offering safe, sacred space to be still in a peaceful setting to listen to one's inner voice and for the voice of God (however persons define the divine). People come to walk the land, to listen to the sounds of nature, to study sacred texts, to journal, to rest, to simply be away and at peace. The retreats are self-directed. Consequently, each experience is unique to the individuals or groups who come. Some may walk the meadow-sized labyrinth; others may seek out the benches by the two-acre lake where the wildlife comes to share a moment. Some will gather by the fire circle, perhaps to listen to and tell stories or simply to savor s'mores and watch the dancing flames. Others, especially in the extremes of weather, will find sacred space in the welcoming retreat house with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Still others will dip deeply into The Well, a circular, covered structure constructed with straw bales and stucco that invites people to connect with one another and with nature. No where are there TVs or cell phones. The numbers of individuals and groups who come add up—nearly 2,200 each year. With a staff of only Laura and a part-time assistant, volunteers are essential for making the center a place of gracious hospitality and for being good stewards of the pristine wilderness. Whatever volunteers have interest in is needed—assisting with the administrative tasks, greeting and orienting guests, preparing rooms for the overnight visitors, bush-hogging, mowing, gardening, trail building and maintenance, filling the bird feeders, even checking the light bulbs. Once a month, volunteers can be part of a cook team and hosts for Penuel Ridge's retreat for homeless persons. The center has as part of its mission to be in solidarity with the poor. Volunteers are needed and are only limited by their imagination in terms of what they can contribute. As a way of appreciating those people who give their time, Penuel Ridge gives them equal time for their own personal retreat. After all, everyone needs safe, peaceful, sacred space. For more information, visit the website (penuelridge.org), email Laura (l.valentine@penuelridge.org), or call the landline (615-792-5936).

077 Wayne Schmidt—Special Olympics Coach Scoring a Strike—Special Olympics Looking for a way to connect with his son who was learning disabled, Wayne Schmidt remembered the fun he had bowling when he was growing up. He began teaching his son the sport. Soon the son was playing better than the father—and others were noticing. "Who's his coach?" they would ask. With his answer Wayne's life scored a strike! Soon he was coaching Special Olympic athletes in bowling for his community. As his teaching skill developed and the program grew to more than 60 special bowlers, he began coaching new coaches. Now, as head bowling coach for Team Florida, Wayne coaches on the county, area, state, and national level. At all levels Wayne, a volunteer himself, relies on other volunteers to make the games go smoothly and to help the athletes progress. In addition to volunteer coaches, other volunteers manage the logistics of getting 60 bowlers to the right place at the right time. Some volunteers participate with the athletes in Unified Partner contests that pair a volunteer with an athlete for the event, and still others cheer all the athletes on, reminding each one that they are Olympians! The ultimate objective of Special Olympics Florida is to help people with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs. That's a goal that volunteers make possible—and everybody is a winner! To find out more about Special Olympics in your state, visit specialolympics.org.

076 Jennifer Crews—Desert Sounds Volunteers and Music—Making a Difference for Students A 14 year old voluntarily helping a friend has inspired a movement that now reaches nearly 600 students each year and is growing. Jeremy and his friend played in the high school band until the friend’s parents divorced and he no longer had a trumpet to play. In their school district, funds were tight and consequently parents had to provide most of the instruments. Jeremy convinced his friend to switch to a clarinet, which the school did have, but neither the school nor the friend’s dad could afford to buy the reeds for the instrument. Jeremy found a job and dedicated his earnings to his friend so that he could play in the band. His selfless action became the Jeremy Project, which is now Desert Sounds. The mission of Desert Sounds, based in the Phoenix area, is to provide children and youth access to music education. Research confirms what parents see when their children begin to play an instrument: Because music engages both sides of the brain, students do better in both math and reading. Jeremy knew this phenomenon first hand. He had struggled with a learning disability and did not read until he was in band in the eighth grade. The organization, now ten years old, provides not only instruments to nearly 600 students but also works with volunteers to create and manage programming that gives students a sense of belonging, the opportunity to learn, and occasions to share their music. Musical Mentors gives one-on-one music lessons but goes a step further to create a mentoring relationship that helps students thrive in life as well as in band. The Mariachi Band goes out into the community to perform, to the delight of the hearers and the performers. The Electric Orchestra brings together technology and music, which appeals to particular students and consequently helps stem the dropout rate from traditional band in the vulnerable early teen years. Like Jeremy, volunteers make all that possible. Musicians and non-musicians alike are crucial for not only working with the students but also for communicating to the community about the need and the organization. Volunteers also handle the administrative tasks that keep Desert Sounds on track for their stated goal of reaching 1,000 students each year! To learn more, visit www.desertsounds.org.

075 Mary Katherine Rand—The Mary Parrish Center From Surviving to Thriving—The Mary Parrish Center When women and their children arrive at the Mary Parrish Center, they are survivors. Pummeled repeatedly by domestic violence and sexual abuse, wounded emotionally and physically, they have nevertheless found a place of shelter and hope. They have escaped. The beater has been beaten. But now what? How do these women and their children move from merely surviving to truly thriving? They do so with the help of the Mary Parrish Center and its many volunteers. Located in a 12-unit apartment building in Nashville, the Center provides rent-free housing for six women with children and for four women alone. One unit is the office and the other is the community gathering space. Being a "cluster site" gives the women the wrap-around services and supportive community that help them stabilize and begin to thrive. Although those services include up to two years of housing rent free, the average stay is only one year, a testimony to both the strength and desire of the women and to the other services of the Mary Parrish Center, such as individualized case management, housing advocacy, budgeting, employment assistance, and therapy. Additionally, volunteers share their skills, interests, and caring through art, crafts, cooking, event planning, teaching and playing games, and so on. These enrichment activities bring not only fun and new skills to the residents but also a sense of support for them to continue their journey on to thriving. Volunteers who have interest in making a difference in the lives of these survivors need only contact the center for a personal conversation with Mary Katherine Rand, the volunteer coordinator. Her focus is on matching the strengths of the individual (or group) with what the residents would find helpful or enjoyable. All ideas are welcome. When the survivors arrive, they soon learn the story of the ginko-leaf logo of the Mary Parrish Center. The beautiful ginko tree grows upright, reaching for the sky. Also a survivor, the ginko is able to withstand the harshest weather extremes and even a nuclear blast and keep on growing. This gift of nature is a symbol of hope for the women to know that they too can survive and indeed thrive. To talk with Mary Katherine Rand, the volunteer coordinator, call 615-256-5959 or email marykatherine@maryparrish.org. See more Center details at www.maryparrish.org.  

075 Lee Johnson—The American Red Cross Never Resting, Always Ready—The Red Cross When the weather forecast shows the beginning of a hurricane, the whole nation waits. Except the Red Cross. Everyone there is in high gear, preparing. Shelters to line up, food to arrange for, supplies to transport. Relief teams, mental health workers, technology whizzes—volunteers are readying to go, to be the first on the scene—and the last to leave. Lee Johnson, who retired from his role as general manager of a large regional transit district, leads the Disaster Assessment Team, first in to provide crucial data to the Red Cross system to enable the organization to scale up (or down) to match the need. Additionally, for Hurricane Harvey Lee headed up the technology team, using satellite to re-establish the communication systems that are so critical for coordinating the efforts of the Red Cross volunteers. Deployed teams usually commit for a two-week period and are then relieved by other Red Cross volunteers as needs change. Unlike hurricanes, most disasters strike suddenly. Some encompass a wide area and many people. Some, like a house fire, are localized but just as devastating to the family and their friends. So the Red Cross never rests, never stops preparing. In the in-between times, Lee checks the fleet of Red Cross vehicles to make sure they are all ready to go. He also instructs training courses for volunteers. With so much to do to help people and communities in their times of greatest need, volunteers can readily find their niche, one that suits their skills, interests, and time available. Volunteers also feel the support of the organization through effective training, team-building social events, and being in action with other seasoned team members. Volunteers serve where and how long they can. Every volunteer is valued. In turn, Lee values the Red Cross. He's seen it in action; he's been in the action, making a difference. He says, "I worked to live. Now I live to serve." And at the Red Cross, he finds people like himself who also live to serve. For more about volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross chapter in your area, simply search on Red Cross.

073 Michelle Colee–Be Your Haven No One Dies Alone, Thanks to Volunteers—Be Your Haven The diagnosis is terminal. Efforts switch from cure to comfort. It's time for hospice care. Often in the initial conversations with hospice staff, new patients will express their fears. Not wanting to die alone is a one of their biggest concerns. Be Your Haven, a hospice-care provider in 18 counties of Florida, has set up a program as part of their services called, No One Dies Alone, to provide volunteers to be with patients 24/7 during their last five to ten days. Volunteers may simply be a quiet presence, hold the patient's hand, read aloud, sing softly, or speak reassuring words from time to time as they stay for their four-hour vigil. Volunteers don't have to worry that they are doing the "right" thing to comfort the patient because during those initial meetings, staff has asked patients what they would desire and find soothing. Michelle Colee, the volunteer coordinator, also provides volunteers with both training and support. Volunteers have a mentor to be with them for their first few times until they indicate they are ready to be on their own with patients. Most of the volunteers in the Florida program are between 60 and 90 years old, bringing with them a lifetime of understanding and practicing compassion. They return again and again, telling Michelle that they feel they are blessed by the experience. Other volunteers bring their computer and organizational skills, assisting with the record keeping. Some go out into the community to speak to groups, helping them understand the role of hospice care and the importance of planning related to end-of-life issues. Still other volunteers work in the Haven Attic Stores, taking in donations and reselling them to raise funds for Be Your Haven's services. "When health becomes a challenge, we will be your haven" is the message of the organization, but it comes alive through caring volunteers whose only "pay" is the blessing they receive. For more about Be Your Haven or the No One Dies Alone program, visit beyourhaven.org. Search the internet for hospice organizations in your local area.  

072 Bruce Kerber—Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Digging Into the Past, Creating the Future—Minnesota Landscape Arboretum After 38 years of helping people grow through his career as a clinical social worker, Bruce Kerber wanted something different in retirement. He found his niche by looking to his past. Bruce remembered playing on his Uncle Tony's farm as a child. During his college years Bruce had worked for his dad in the family's nursery business. He also did some research projects as part of his university curriculum. Throughout his professional life, Bruce enjoyed his own gardens and especially his orchid collection. Looking to his past directed him to his future—right back to his Uncle Tony's farm, which had been purchased by the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Now, as a volunteer with the Arboretum, Bruce assists with the research needed for returning the previously cleared and cultivated farm to its natural state of prairie and forest. One of the issues under study is how to deal with the imported—and invasive—European buckthorn tree that chokes out native plants. As a part of his volunteer contribution, Bruce plants native shrubs and monitors their growth, gathering necessary data for the project. In addition to that work, he donated a large portion of his extensive orchid collection to the Arboretum and volunteers one morning a week there to assist in the care of "his plants" and the rest of the collection. Getting out to do the heavy work of planting and tramping through the farm to monitor the progress of the new plants has been good for Bruce too. He credits his volunteer work with challenging him to keep up physically. He's looking forward to the near future when Uncle Tony's farm—restored to its native splendor—will be open to the public to enjoy. When that happens, Bruce will see not only the Arboretum's goal come to fruition but also the fruits of his own life-long love of helping people and plants grow to their full potential.  

071 Kim Carrier—People and Pets Together Not Just Another Mouth to Feed—People and Pets Together Have you ever been sick or emotionally down and had your pet climb up next to you, loving you completely and easing your distress? Kim Carrier attributes that unconditional love from her two dogs with helping her heal. They were her "saving grace" in very difficult time. Kim also recognized that others were not so fortunate. Job loss and medical crises, especially, can so easily push a family to the brink financially. In desperate times too many people feel they have no option but to give up their pets in order to feed their family. Yet living with pets can have such positive effects in times of instability. Especially for children, their animals provide emotional support and actual health benefits. In 2009, in the midst of the adversity of the Great Recession, Kim founded People and Pets Together (PPT) to give families an alternative to having to surrender their pets. Through both the organization's own pet food "shelf" and the dedicated pet food shelves in partner pantries that provide food for people, nearly 8,000 pounds of pet food each month enables families to keep their pets. The program serves two very large, low-income neighborhoods in the Minneapolis area. Volunteers—130 of them—plus donors, make the preventions possible. Some volunteers pick up the pet-food donations from bins placed in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul communities and from businesses that contribute and take them to the various distribution sites. Other volunteers, working at the PPT site, assist the guest shoppers in ways that maintain their dignity as well as fulfill the need. Veterinarian students from the University of Minnesota volunteer their time to run regular, subsidized vaccination clinics, which are also sponsored by PPT. Volunteer retention is high—people and pets do go together! As someone immersed in this issue, Kim sees this model of helping families keep their pets as more cost effective to communities than building, staffing, and maintaining animal shelters. Families who lose a beloved pet to a rescue or shelter lose much more than just another mouth to feed. Kim admits she had struggled in the past with the question of who deserves help. However, she came to the conviction that the answer is everybody. Everybody deserves love—love of a pet and love from volunteers committed to keeping people and pets together. In that knowledge and in her action Kim finds joy! For more information, visit peopleandpetstogether.org or view their Facebook page. Local food pantries are often prohibited by charter from spending any funds to supply pet food, but many would be willing to accept donations and stock a shelf within their pantry. Consider talking with food pantries in your area about the possibility.

070 Sara Everett-Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry, Inc. (WARM) Warm Hearts, WARM Shelters—Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry When the hurricane blew out, the men from a local church rushed in to begin rebuilding, focusing on the storm-damaged homes of the community's low-income neighbors. But what they discovered changed their mission. The need for repairs had existed well before the storm, but the occupants did not have the resources to be able to make their homes safer for their day-to-day lives. And so began the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry. For more than 20 years now WARM has been uniting compassionate people to rebuild homes and restore hope by making people safer in their own homes. Very often those who benefit are elderly or disabled who need wheelchair ramps, grab-bar installation, plumbing improvements, roof or floor repairs, installation of essential appliances and heating and cooling, and whatever else that can lower the risk of falls, fires, and other home accidents. All WARM repairs are related to safety or health issues. With the assistance of a dedicated core of local volunteers, several of whom bring their professional construction and repair backgrounds to the job, WARM is able to prepare the sites and supervise additional volunteers, many of whom have no previous experience. Last year alone 2300 volunteers repaired nearly 150 homes. Volunteers come from across the country. Some are "voluntourists," making volunteering a significant part of their vacation. Others come from church mission teams. Some church groups come back every summer or every other year. Also, local business and churches designate Service Days and send volunteers regularly. Some people find WARM through VolunteerMatch.com or WARM's Facebook site. Why do volunteers come back? Sara Everett, who has been the volunteer coordinator, hears them say that they get more out of the experience than they feel they give, that they are happy to be connected to others who are passionate about volunteering and giving back, and that they discover that no matter the level of their own skills they can make a significant impact for good. And yes, people love being a part of a team, and they also like developing their own home-repair skills. Sara speaks with a mix of humility and pride of the fact that the recipients of the repairs do not need to pay. The organization also seeks grants and does fundraising for supplies. And then every WARM dollar is stretched by the warm hearts of the volunteers as they pick up their tools and make it possible for those who were so vulnerable to live safely and independently in their own homes. To find out more about WARM in Wilmington, North Carolina, visit warmnc.org or their Facebook page. If you are interested in the potential of sending a mission team, contact elizabethguy@warmnc.org. To locate similar programs in your area, check the national directory of member organizations in the ReFrame Association (reframeassociation.org).

069 Jeff Hoffman Project Transformation Catching the Enthusiasm—Project Transformation After three summers of listening to his wife's and his children's enthusiasm for their experiences in Project Transformation (PT), Jeff Hoffman took the plunge. He'd been reluctant because he knew his work schedule at the time would not allow him to make a regular or extensive time commitment, but with PT he found no pressure—just a welcoming of whatever he was able to share with the program. Project Transformations mission is summed up in three C's: To engage college-age young adults in purposeful ministry and leadership, to support underserved children and families, and to connect churches to communities in need. Initially, PT was a summer-only program with a focus on helping children, K–4, gain and retain the reading skills that are so essential to doing well in school and life. Building upon the early success of that goal, the program has expanded to be year-round and to include middle school youth, as well as elementary school children. The growth also incorporates all areas of schoolwork and social-emotional learning, as well as increased connections with the families through special events such as the Family Fun Nights and home visits. The college-age young adults are hired for summer or for the school year to provide authentic, hands-on, high-quality programs for the children and youth. PT, however, offers these interns much more than "a summer job." Living together in intentional Christian community, they have opportunities to explore their faith and discern their path forward into leadership, service, and other areas of ministry. The churches chosen to host the PT programs had been struggling as the communities around them changed. But PT has opened new channels for reconnecting with their neighbors, and the churches begin to thrive once again. How do volunteers fit in this endeavor? In the summer, volunteers—including youth and school-age children with their parents or grandparents—come on their church's designated week especially to read with the children in the program, providing role models as well as improved literacy. During the school year, many individual volunteers make regular commitment to be homework helpers, encouragers, or mentors. These volunteers also build those special relationships with the children that create opportunities for social-emotional learning, specifically through being listened to and cared about. Other volunteers bring food to the college-age interns and sit down with them to share the meal—and conversation that is often deeply meaningful for both interns and volunteers. Like Jeff Hoffman and his family, volunteers can easily find a welcoming and rewarding niche for however they choose to commit. So who experiences transformation? Children, families, young adult leaders, congregations, neighborhoods, and volunteers! Begun through The United Methodist Church in the Dallas area, the program is open to people of all faiths and is active not only in Texas but also in Indiana, Oklahoma, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Tennessee (Nashville, Memphis, and Clarksville). As volunteers and former interns move to different areas of the country, PT pops up and transformation begins anew. For more about Project Transformation, visit projecttransformation.org or view their Facebook page.

068 Ted Dreier Childrens Kindness Network A Little Kindness Makes a Big Difference Want to make the world a better place? Start little. But with a big idea. Start with little children. Help them learn the big value of kindness. Start with a little cowor a big one! Moozie, to be exact. When Moozie speaks, children listen—and learn. The big talking cow (robotic or a costumed human) may visit a daycare, preschool, kindergarten, or first or second grade class to give a special Moozie introduction to kindness (with the help of a volunteer storyteller). But what happens afterwards, on a daily basis, confirms the impact. With the assistance of the little Moozie puppet that comes to live in the classroom, teachers help class members through difficulties by simply posing the question, "What would Moozie say (or do)?" Teachers report–and research confirms–reduced disruptions and bullying with Moozie on the job. Soon the children pick up the kindness value as their own. Playground tiffs change when a child intervenes, asking if Moozie would like that. When classmates are distressed, children have been known to bring them the little Moozie to hug. Empathy and kindness grow. The Children's Kindness Network began 20 years ago and has reached nearly 400,000 children with the message, emphasis, and skills of kindness to one another, to animals, to the earth, and to self. Moozie-creator, Ted Dreier, working with volunteers, has extended Moozie's reach across the U.S. through not only the classroom visits, but also through the Moozie books, songs, and kits. Teachers have benefitted, as have parents, grandparents, and even the 118 wing of the Tennessee Air National guard. Tasks for volunteers are both big and little, ranging from assembling kits to making storytelling presentations in classrooms, to creating Moozie songs, to serving on the board of directors. All are welcome. Whatever "size" of the volunteers' contributions, they make a big impactone that goes from early brain-wiring of the very little children and from their experiences of kindness to how those influence their subsequent relationships, actions, and leadership as they grow bigger and move into adulthood. And the world becomes a better place. To see Moozie (and Ted) in action, visit either childrenskindnessnetwork.org or moozie.org and view the NPT video. For more information about volunteering, email ted@moozie.com.

067 Gail Atkinson—Special Olympics Lead Volunteer Taking the Lead So Others Succeed—Special Olympics With more than 27,000 volunteers in Florida's Special Olympics program, someone has to take the lead! Gail Atkinson began like so many other volunteers—helping out a day here and a day there through the service opportunities sponsored by her place of employment. That was 15 years ago. She got hooked! Now retired, Gail has stepped up her involvement to include making sure other volunteers experience not only the joy of seeing the athletes beam with pride but also feeling that they too have done their "job" well. Gail's team of volunteers regularly includes high school students working one time to get their service credit, police officers chosen for the day to present the ribbons and medals, and retirees dipping a toe in as they try out various volunteer opportunities, looking for something that fits their interests and sparks their passion. As lead volunteer, Gail communicates, facilitates, encourages, and supports her team of volunteers so that they too have a gold-medal experience! Special Olympics Florida states that their goal is to "help people with intellectual disabilities participate as productive and respected members of society at large, by offering them a fair opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and talents through sports training and competition, and by increasing the public’s awareness of their capabilities and needs." All that is done through the effective use of volunteers. Those who have a good experience return again and again, making the games possible for the special athletes—thanks to lead volunteers like Gail. To find out more about Special Olympics in your state, visit specialolympics.org. There is a place for you and people, like Gail, to make your gift of time award-winning! Website: https://specialolympicsflorida.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialolympicsflorida/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2168730/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soflinfo

066 Linda Stalters – American Red Cross The Red Cross—On the Job Every Eight Minutes! I was bringing my stepmother home from the baptism of her great grandson. We rounded the corner to see 12 fire trucks and three ambulances blocking traffic. Her high-rise senior apartment building was billowing smoke from the fourth floor–her floor, her apartment! First responders gently led her to another truckthe Red Cross truck. There wonderful volunteers comforted her in her confusion and provided her aid for her immediate needs from having her life so completely disrupted. As her family member, I too was comforted because I did not have any idea of what to do. The Red Cross was there to help us both get through the disaster and to know how to move forward. For most people the American Red Cross is associated with presence at the news-making disasters of floods, fires, hurricanes, mass shootings, and such. But every single day—in fact, every eight minutes—crises that never make the breaking-news happen, and Red Cross volunteers are there too. Volunteers step in and step up to handle the wide range of needs such catastrophes precipitate. When a calamity such as a hurricane can be anticipated, volunteers are busy preparing shelters, food, and teams to take action. When tragedy strikes without warning, the volunteers themselves are already prepared and can react immediately. Some volunteers work on site; others facilitate and support. Some have a regular pattern to their volunteering, perhaps doing recurring work in the office or being on call for a week, a month, or a couple of months at a time. Others commit to going anytime to a site and staying as long as needed. Those volunteer teams can be there for 72 hours without sleep in the same grueling conditions as the victims and first responders. Some volunteers are "just in case," handing out water at major events, such as big Fourth of July celebrations, and being available if any emergency happens. Some retired couples serve as a team, driving a Red Cross truck and giving out food, water, and cleaning supplies to victims. The requirements for these volunteers are to be healthy, strong, willing, flexible, and resilient. Linda Stalters represents another type of volunteer. As a retired Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Psychotherapist, she and others licensed in the mental health field, focus on the psychological trauma that victims experience. She assesses their emotional needs, gives support, and connects them to resources for long-term healing. Sometimes, that role is to recognize exhaustion in first responders or volunteers and get the ones who are so committed to others some rest and food for their own renewal. Whatever task Red Cross volunteers choose, they are trained and supported, prepared and ready, and very willing to help! For more about volunteering, visit the website redcross.org.

065 Bob Tigert—Ukulele Kids Club Kids in Hospitals, Music, the Real Deal—What’s Not to Like? Bob Tigert just "sorta fell into" his volunteer position on the board of the Ukulele Kids Club. "When they asked me, I had never heard of it. 'What is that?' I had to ask." A ukulele (and guitar and bass) player, Bob quickly decided the organization was the "real deal"—grassroots, amazingly noble, and very effective in the execution of its mission, which is two-fold: To bring music into the lives of hurting children To support the work of music therapists who work with children in hospitals Less than five years old, UKC has already changed the lives of nearly 5,000 children in close to 200 hospitals in multiple states and now Canada simply by providing music therapists this simple instrument. The ukulele allows them to teach the children how to make music while confined to their hospital bed. Small enough to be easily held, ukuleles are super easy to learn to play. With the help of the therapist, patients quickly begin playing tunes and singing. They have something creative, uplifting, and fun to focus on instead of what is wrong and hurting. Music becomes part of their healing. Volunteers do not go to the hospitals to help the children directly. That is the role of the professional music therapists. Volunteers put their efforts into raising the funds to buy the ukuleles that the therapists will use with the child and then leave for the child to continue to play at home. Purchased through a special arrangement with an instrument-making company, each ukulele costs only $40. Volunteers get to use their creativity too in raising funds. Often the event is a concert by musicians—a natural fit. But in New Orleans, the tattoo parlors each take a ukulele and paint it with their special artistry and then sell the "tattooed" ukes online, last year raising $15,000. Volunteers use whatever skills they bring in support of the fundraising efforts. Bob's career had been as a videographer. He has put his skill back to work to tell the story of the Ukulele Kids Club. You can see his video on the website. Unlike Bob, you as a volunteer don't have to play a ukulele. But like Bob, you simply need to care about kids in hospitals, recognize the power of music to bring healing, and value being part of a real-deal organization that is definitely changing lives. To learn more about Ukulele Kids Club, to see Bob’s video, or to donate, visit theukc.org.

065B Sheri Kimble—Violins of Hope Music From a Dark Past—Hope for Today and Tomorrow The lilt of beautiful music stirs hope in the hearts of listeners. But like any great gift it can be perverted for evil. The Violins of Hope experience tells the story and brings it full circle through the darkest of times and circumstances to hope again. Sheri Kimble, a volunteer docent, explains: During the Nazi years, many Jewish and other musicians were forced to play their music at first for the entertainment of the Nazi officials, but then for the prisoners being marched off to the labor sites from the camps, and ultimately for the new arrivals at the death camps who were herded into the "showers." Even though they knew the outcome, the musicians had no choice but to play or they too would die. Sometimes they would receive an extra scrap of food for their playing. Having that could give them—and others with whom they shared—strength and hope to stay alive another day. When the light began to return, the now freed musicians no longer had the heart to play. Their violins languished in dark attics and closets. Eventually, one—and then one by one—others were given to or collected by an Israeli luthier, Amnon Weinstein. His father, Moshe, had also been a maker and repairer of stringed instruments, which had brought him to Palestine before the outbreak of war. Unfortunately, 400 of his and his wife's families were destroyed in the Holocaust. In 2000 Amnon turned his skills toward restoring the violins and finding ways to tell their stories—so that the remembering will help humanity say, "Never again!" The Violins of Hope experience travels internationally, but includes extended time in communities that are willing to turn the "visit" into a community-wide discussion and learning opportunity. Previous stops have been in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio, and in Birmingham, Alabama. Through Memorial Day, May 28, 2018, Violins of Hope is in Nashville, Tennessee. Forty different exhibits and events—all but two are free—invite people into the story, into the music, into awareness, into hope. Major ones include concerts by the Nashville Symphony playing the violins and the Nashville Public Library's multifaceted exhibits. Sheri answered a call to be a volunteer docent for the Library's exhibit. At first, in training, she felt overwhelmed by the intensity and responsibility of the story. Now, she is gratified to be able to help people of all ages understand, appreciate, and claim the message. To provide a 40-venue experience for a community for free requires volunteers, including those who raise the possibility within their home area, others like Sheri who raise awareness through their channels or on site, and others who raise needed funds. Volunteers make a difference. Volunteers for hope. For more information, visit the website violinsofhopensh.org. May 28, 2018, is the final day for Nashville.

064 John and Elaine Berkheiser—Leader Dogs for the Blind Raising Puppies and Opening Doors! If you love dogs, you'll find kindred spirits in John and Elaine Berkheiser, who raise puppies (28 so far)—and give them away! The puppies ultimately go to work, serving persons who are blind, visually impaired, or blind-deaf. How can the Berkheisers give them away? Each puppy accompanies them wherever they go—to stores, through parking lots, in cars, on busses, in hotels. Raising these puppies is a 24/7 job! Elaine admits that giving the dog up after their year together breaks their hearts. But...then comes the dog's graduation from the official training and the placement with the client. John and Elaine usually attend the ceremony and also take the occasion to meet the person who is receiving this furry opportunity for a more independent and fulfilling life. Many clients stay in touch, sending photos and notes of gratitude throughout the dog's service. With the bigger picture in mind, the couple begin again with a new puppy. Founded by three Detroit-area Lions Clubs members in 1939, Leader Dogs for the Blind empowers people who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind with skills for a lifetime of independent travel, opening doors that may seem to have closed with the loss of sight. The organization began with four dogs and now trains and places nearly 500 every year. To carry out their mission, Leader Dogs relies on multiple volunteers. Leader Dog "moms" handle the breeding program—mostly Labrador and Golden Retrievers with a smattering of German Shepherds. Volunteers, like the Berkheisers, who started because their daughter raised a puppy as her 4H project, provide love, basic training, and the adventures that result in a confident, alert, and loving companion ready for the next level of training and ultimately for service. The Berkheisers also volunteer as "puppy counselors," regularly visiting their network of other Leader Dog "puppy raisers," supporting and mentoring them. In addition, the organization provides manuals and training videos to assure that all involved—raisers and puppies—have a good experience, which will pay off in a greater quality of life for the client. For persons receiving a dog, the placement training lasts 28 days. Leader Dogs also runs a summer camp for 16–17 year olds and a week-long "white cane" training. All of these services are free of charge to the recipients. If you know someone who is blind, visually impaired, or blind-deaf, either from birth or newly so, please encourage them to explore Leader Dog. A whole new life could be at the other end of the harness. For more information or to explore volunteering with Leader Dogs for the Blind, visit leaderdog.org.

063 Kim Carrier—Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Sampling the Fruits of Volunteering With more than 900 volunteers each year, Volunteer Coordinator Kim Carrier knows something about what keeps volunteers coming and coming back to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: "Enjoying the beauty of nature is its own lure. Even if they are not working in the garden, driving through the gate evokes an emotional and spiritual response. It's in our DNA to connect with nature and to support places like this." The Arboretum has many opportunities for volunteers to connect and support. With 1,200 acres, multiple specialized trial and display gardens within the garden, wetlands and prairie restoration projects, and apple and grape variety development, volunteers who like to work hands on and "dig in the dirt" can readily find a place and like-minded company. But as a nonprofit, the Arboretum also needs the skills of people who can contribute by raising funds, memberships, and attendance. Volunteers bring their expertise with spreadsheets, databases, and informative reports to assist the organization. Volunteers help with major events, including planning, marketing, dealing with logistics, and even cleaning up. Volunteers also educate inside the gardens as tour guides, knowledgeable tram drivers, and teachers for children's and adult classes. Outside the garden, volunteer ambassadors speak to groups about this treasure in their area while others use their skill with social media to generate enthusiasm and attendance at the Arboretum. Kim readily admits that the most popular volunteer job, however, is apple tasting! As a research facility, the Arboretum is actively developing new strains of the fruit. The popular Honey Crisp and the new Tango apples are results of their work. A newer grape-breeding program is also underway. No matter the skills, interests, or experiences volunteers bring, they can find a way to "connect with nature and to support places" like the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Kim points out that across the U.S. are hundreds of other unique and wonderful gardens beckoning. Maybe they don't have apple tasting, but they will feed the emotional and spiritual needs of the human DNA. For more about the educational program of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, listen to the Retire-To podcast 057 with Fern Albertson. For more about the Arboretum, visit their website (arboretum.umn.edu) or Facebook (facebook.com/MnArboretum) or YouTube (youtube.com/user/MnArboretum). Check your local area for volunteer opportunities in gardens near you. 


062 Anne Huffman—Music & Memory Bringing Back What Was “Lost” A hospice volunteer, Anne Huffman, was keeping vigil at the bedside of a dying woman. Seeing the Bible at the patient's bedside, Anne began reading it aloud and then singing "Amazing Grace" softly. The woman, who previously had been non-communicative, responded. The patient died later that night, but a spark was born that day in Anne. The spark was fanned when, in a subsequent training offered by the TLC program of hospice, Anne viewed the DVD, Alive Inside, and saw that her experience was not an anomaly. The organization Music & Memory has been making the lives of persons living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, brain trauma, ALS, MS, and Parkinson's Disease better through individualized music playlists since 2006 in the U.S. and Canada. Anne's fire grew through her church, where the congregation provided the funding and several members stepped up to help her, including the "tech guy" and two other women who each serve the patients in two local facilities, as does Anne, who also speaks to groups about the program, again fanning the flames. For Anne, watching eyes light up and years melt away is her reward as she consistently sees patients suffering from both the disease and the ensuing isolation "awaken" in response to the music they remember. But she also knows that the benefits of supplying individualized playlists to patients go beyond the specific person. With the resulting lessening of anxiety and agitation that often accompany this stage of life and the increasing social interaction and ability to converse that patients can experience, the atmosphere for all in the facility changes for the better. Families are also less stressed. The Music & Memory organization provides, in conjunction with iTunes Plus and Apple, all that is needed to set up a program, including the guidelines for the legal use of the music. For more information, visit musicandmemory.org.

061 Ed VanVorhees—The Bootstraps Foundation The Bootstraps Foundation—Providing a Hand Up "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps" is a part of the American ethos. The culture celebrates people who have become great successes, overcoming major obstacles through their own heroic efforts. Such a man was Bootstraps founder, Ray Danner, a successful restaurant-chain developer and owner, who came out of hardship, began working at age 10, and as a young man purchased his first business for $600. Many businesses and many dollars (both earned and given away philanthropically) later, he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Society. Today, long after Danner's death, his money, along with other contributions, supports the Bootstraps Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The 19th century author, Horatio Alger, wrote more than 100 novels based on the real-life experiences of the children and youth living on the streets in abject poverty in the mid to late 1800's. The inspirational and influential stories focused on developing character and surmounting life's obstacles to be ready for opportunities for change. He recognized that a timely "hand up" is also a factor in success. The Bootstraps Foundation searches out high school students who have overcome significant adversity and developed great character and then gives them the "hand up," awarding them $5,000 for each of four years of college. That money in turn is matched by a local university (Belmont) to make higher education possible for these who have already prevailed over so much because of their own bootstrap efforts. A major reason the Foundation can maximize their mission is volunteers. Board members, including graduated Bootstrap alums, leverage services to keep the organization functioning, including fundraising, printing, copying, mailing, and other necessary tasks. Ed VanVoorhees donates his time and skill to the administrative oversight. Volunteers, lending a hand, make possible the hand up needed to make a difference for deserving young people and those they will touch because of both their own character and this opportunity to gain further education. For more about this or to donate, visit bootstraps.org.

060 Barbara Bruce—Humane Society Providing Second Chances for Animals and Other Cast-offs The dog was horribly unlucky—a hit-and-run driver sped away leaving him with a crushed leg! The dog was also wonderfully lucky—the life-threatening collision occurred in sight of an employee at the Second Chance Store. He scooped up the injured animal, took him to the vet (his leg had to be amputated), and then brought him back to the store, his new home. Named Tap-Tap, the lucky dog is now the store's mascot and loved by volunteers and customers alike. Barbara Bruce, a snowbird from New York State, volunteers several months a year at the Second Chance Store in Amelia Island, Florida. Proceeds from the donated items sold at the retail store go directly to support the Nassau County Humane Society in its mission—"dedicated to the humane treatment of all animals, to alleviate their suffering and neglect, to support the human-animal bond, and to foster an environment in which people respect all living creatures!" Supporting the animal shelter began with volunteers putting on yard sales (aptly renamed, "Flea and Tick Sales”), which proved so popular and effective that the Humane Society was eventually able to acquire a permanent sales venue. With the new store has come greater recognition of the purpose of the organization and more customers making purchases in support of its work. And, yes, lots of them come to see Tap-Tap! Barbara, an animal lover who also has had retail experience, has chosen to volunteer in the store. But she points out that other people find their volunteer joy working directly with the animals in many different capacities, including socializing puppies and kittens, walking and grooming dogs, handling paperwork for adoptions, and even making sure the kennels are clean. She also reminds us that animals in shelters all over the United States need loving care and that volunteering on their behalf can take many different forms and skills, all within a flexible time commitment. So, if you feel a tap-tap on your shoulder, it might just be a special critter, a special place inviting you to volunteer. Simply type "humane society near me" into your browser or visit nassauhumane.org for more information.

059 Linda Stalters—Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA) Changing Perceptions—Key to Hope, Treatment, and Opportunity "We can't be everywhere, yet people with the diagnosis are everywhere!" Nearly nine million Americans suffer from schizophrenia and other illnesses involving psychoses. Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA) is the "we" working to make a difference in the lives of those diagnosed and their families. Linda Stalters, a retired Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Psychotherapist, began the organization in 2008. SARDAA promotes hope, treatment, and recovery through support programs, education, collaboration, and advocacy. Their vision is that every person living with a schizophrenia or related brain disorder receives respect, appropriate treatment, and an opportunity to live a meaningful and satisfying life in a compassionate community free of discrimination. A key to bringing about that vision is changing perceptions on several levels: Helping policy makers understand the condition as a brain disease rather than as a mental illness. The distinction has a huge impact on accessibility to treatment, which can enable persons with the disease to have productive life. Helping society overcome fear and move toward seeing persons with the disease as people who deserve treatment and respect rather than punishment. Currently, many affected live in prisons or on the streets, which is a significant cost to society. Helping family members know how to better relate to the one with the disease and how to advocate for their loved one. Helping those who suffer from the disease understand and value themselves and be supported. Volunteers assist in reaching these goals. They do so as speakers and educators, as videographers and artists, as advocates to state and national policy-making bodies, as organizers of new groups and as mentors to the leaders of support groups (which are led by persons who have the disease and who are themselves volunteers). Volunteers are also needed for simply saying "thank you" through notes or phone calls to supporters of the organization's work. In turn, the organization's small staff support the volunteers with training, materials, and a voice in this important work. Linda says, "Whenever I think I might quit or when people ask, 'When are you going to retire for real?', I remember that people who live with the disease can't ever retire. I hear thanks for what we do. Those affected say, 'I am so grateful for this organization because it saved my life!'—and I can't quit!" For more information, visit sardaa.org or hearingvoicesofsupport.com.

058 Liz Martin—General Federation of Women’s Clubs Changing the Power of One to Power to the Nth Degree Liz Martin believes in the power of people—especially women—joining together to make a difference in their community. But she’s also discovered how one person, using her specific skills, can make that power even greater. When Liz joined the Brentwood/Franklin Woman's Service Club she found much more than she expected. As a part of the international General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), her local club is one of the nearly 3,000 (combined membership of 80,000) working independently and together on significant issues, including supporting the arts, preserving natural resources, advancing education, promoting healthy lifestyles, encouraging civic involvement, and working toward world peace and understanding. The mission and history of GFWC attracted her to the club. She has stayed for more than a decade because of the benefits: She has met great people she might not have otherwise, expanded her knowledge of her community and of important national and international issues, and participated in specific projects locally and beyond. As club members got to know Liz, she was asked to be the treasurer. No problem! She definitely had the skills. Liz’s career was as a financial planner. Taking on the job was a way for this one person to give back. But she quickly discovered a new challenge: bringing their financial systems into the 21st century in terms of bookkeeping, computerization, and taking advantage of investment opportunities that would grow the organization’s dollars and consequently its potential for more good. Actually, that was the easy part, according to Liz. The bigger challenge was to change the thinking of the group from “we don’t want to lose any money” to “we can safely grow the money.” Fortunately, Liz’s years of helping individuals and families make that same transition to success have paid off, enabling the club members to greatly increase their impact on projects and issues they are passionate about. One person—investing heart, time, energy, and skill—joining with others of like mind and commitment changes the power of one to power to the nth degree! For more about the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, visit gfwc.org. To learn more about the Brentwood/Franklin Woman's Service Club, go to bwctn.net.

057 Fern Albertson—The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum—Feeding Body and Soul Do you have an interest in plants, gardening, bees, butterflies, children, sharing your knowledge, working with like-minded people, having a meaningful and rewarding volunteer opportunity? Check any of the above, and this interview is for you! Fern Albertson volunteers with The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, where she has found all of those interests fulfilled and her soul fed. Have you eaten a Honey Crisp apple lately? Or perhaps you’ve tried the new First Kiss apple. Both of these, along with 28 others, were developed through the research at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. The history of today’s 1200-acre premier facility had its beginnings in the 1800’s with government assistance and insistence to develop apples hearty enough to grow despite the Minnesota winters. The push was to attract settlers to the area by providing a viable economic opportunity. Today’s Arboretum now attracts 500,000 visitors each year! Thirty-five thousand of those come specifically to the Learning Center, where Fern volunteers. As a volunteer, she works most often with school children and children coming in the summer through the Y or Parks and Recreation day camps. Working with a curriculum that also meets state education standards, Fern, along with other volunteers has been teaching the children about bees and butterflies, as they observe the resident pollinators at work in the gardens of the Arboretum. She also takes children “shopping” at the Green Grocer. If their grocery list includes sugar or chocolate, for example, the young shoppers have to find the plant sources (sugar cane and cocoa plant) growing there. The lists are varied, but the lesson is pointed: Our food comes largely from plants! The Arboretum’s educational programs change regularly, inviting return visits and keeping the volunteers engaged as they too continue to learn. Fern is one of 900 volunteers the Arboretum relies on. Some, like Fern, lead programs or give tours; others help maintain the gardens or drive the trams. Several assist the researchers—like the ones who developed Honey Crisp and gave us our First Kiss! Arboretums and botanical gardens are scattered all across the nation. Click Here for a list of facilities around the country. You might find a garden or arboretum in your local area where you can check volunteer opportunities. Website: arboretum.umn.edu     Facebook: facebook.com/MnArboretum

056 Marci McAdams—Special Olympics Special Olympics—Smiles for Everyone “I get to see their smiling faces—that’s my reward!” Marci McAdams enthusiastically declares with a big smile on her own face. One of her volunteer jobs for Special Olympics in Florida is to hand out the rewards to the participants. Those smiles keep her coming back and taking on more as a volunteer. She handles much of the administrative work that keeps the program running smoothly; and she also trains new coaches, who are also volunteers. When she runs a training session, she invites at least one of the special athletes to help her by showing the potential coaches the possibilities. Special Olympics is so much more than “a competition here and there.” In the early 1960s Eunice Kennedy Shriver, moved by the lack of inclusion of children with intellectual disabilities (ID) in even basic opportunities for play, set up a summer camp in her own backyard to give them a chance to participate in physical activities, including sports. She set out to change society’s view of persons with ID. Now more than five million special athletes from ages eight through older adults in 172 countries participate year-round in Special Olympics trainings and events in county, state, area, and international levels in more than 30 different sports. Children, age two to seven, can begin developing skills through Special Olympics Young Athletes program. Athletes benefit from the training and competitions as they develop physical fitness, skills, and friendships. They gain courage and self-confidence and experience joy. Society benefits from focusing on the abilities rather than the disabilities of persons with ID and discovering their gifts. Promoting understanding and social inclusion, Special Olympics is making a change for the better for everyone. Volunteers make it all possible. Handing out awards, doing administrative tasks, training new volunteers, including coaches—all of which Marci does—are just a few of the opportunities available to volunteers. Encouraging athletes, setting up and tearing down for events, coaching for the various sports, recruiting other volunteers, and photographing events are a few more of the possibilities. Check the website for your state to find a specific place where your interests intersect with the needs: specialolympics.org. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/specialolympicsflorida/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2168730/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/soflinfo  

055 Barbara Winkler—Quilts of Valor Touched by War, Receiving Comfort and Healing Barbara Winkler is not alone in her desire to honor, thank, and comfort men and women who have experienced the horrors of war on behalf of our nation. Nationwide, in 47 states and the District of Columbia, are multiple small chapters of quilters creating beautiful and practical Quilts of Valor and presenting them to veterans and active service members. In Barbara’s chapter alone, the group has made 4,375 since Barbara created her first quilt! Last year they made 651! Many chapters gather and benefit from the social aspect of creating a quilt, as well as from the joy of finding a purpose they find meaningful and appreciated by the recipients and their families. However, most chapters also have members who work at home. In Barbara’s Southern California chapter, the oldest member is 92, working at home and providing a one quilt-top each week for the other stitchers in the group to complete. Barbara’s group also partners with teens in local high schools to make the quilts. The students earn service-learning credits, find mentors and friends among the skilled quilters, and experience pride in their skill and creativity, as well as humility in knowing the stories of the ones who will receive their quilts. Volunteers do not need to know how to quilt. Quilting is a group effort. There is a specific task for everyone, including designing, cutting the fabric, hand sewing, machine stitching, washing, ironing, presenting, and more. Anyone can start wherever comfortable and learn more from the others—and have a good time doing so! To see the variety of beautiful quilts Barbara’s group has made and given, go to socalqov.org. To find a Quilts of Valor chapter near you, visit www.qovf.org. That site will also guide you in creating a new chapter, if need be. URL: www.socalQOV.org Facebook: So-Cal-Quilts-of-Valor

054 Daisy Jabas—Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance—Providing Hope and How-To Daisy Jabas, Registered Nurse, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and State Director for Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Tennessee, surprises people—not with her credentials but with a statistic: Mental illness is more prevalent than cancer, lung disease, and heart disease combined! Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance provides through their support groups a safe environment for individuals and for their families to share their stories and learn skills from the lived experience of others, as well as from medical professionals. Those who suffer discover they are not alone, there is hope, and life can and will get better. Daisy also surprises people when she tells audiences that all of the people working in this Tennessee division of the Alliance are volunteers, including Daisy. The range of opportunities is wide, from helping get literature out about the program, speaking to groups, serving at events, calling back inquirers, transporting persons to support groups, working in the office, maintaining the website, to facilitating the support groups. Volunteers can choose short-term or long-term service options to fit their own interests, knowing that all contribute to greater well-being for those who suffer. For more information visit www.dbsa-tn.org Email: hopefordepressionandbipolar@gmail.com

68 Hours of Hunger—What Too Many School Children Face Each Weekend Ending childhood hunger in America one school at a time What kind of person would you be if week after week you were without adequate food for 68 hours? Executive director and founder of the non-profit End 68 Hours of Hunger, Claire Bloom tells us how you can join the fight to end the hunger too many school children face for the 68 hours between the free lunch on Friday and breakfast on Monday at school. Students are provided with 3 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and 2 lunches each weekend. Listen to how her 1700 volunteers in 42 local chapters all over the United States help 3000 students every week. With nearly 16 million food-insecure children in America today, the unmet need is still huge. Imagine how well you would perform on Monday if youve not had anything to eat since Friday lunch! With this program in place, teachers report students come to school ready to learn and the disruptive behaviors of Friday due to food insecurity vanish. This program makes a difference in the potential success of each child fed. You can be a part of this exciting program by joining a chapter in its mission or starting one of your own. Claires national office provides complete training so you and your friends can reach out to help students near you. Others have done this 41 times! The smallest chapter feed 3 students each week; the largest feeds 300. http://www.end68hoursofhunger.org

052 Crys Zinkiewicz–Hershey, Here! at Saddle Up! From Rider to Writer—With a Little “Help” Passionate about horses, Crys Zinkiewicz found a great place to volunteer and then she discovered Hershey! Hershey is a go-to horse at Saddle Up!, a therapeutic riding center for children with disabilities. Known for his versatility and willingness, Hershey is also famous for his funny “smile” after a peppermint treat. Now he’s even more famous as an ambassador for Saddle Up!, thanks to Crys. The two of them are Pony Pals, but they’ve also “collaborated” to write a book about Saddle Up! Hershey tells his perspective on his life at Saddle Up! and its various programs. Crys comes along to “fill in the details.” The proceeds from the resulting 148-page book go to support the organization, but even more importantly the book and Crys’s speaking opportunities raise awareness of the “magic” of horses in programs across the country like Saddle Up! With a background as an editor in a publishing company, Crys volunteered her professional skills to meet the challenge. She also pulled together a team of people (designer, photographers, marketers, web designer, business manager, and even musicians) who donated their time, talent, and professional experience to create the book. For more about Saddle Up! go to saddleupnashville.org. Be sure to watch the video on the home page. You’ll meet Hershey and Crys, and you’ll learn more about this amazing organization.  Find other episodes in this series at retiretovolunteering.com. Support this series at patreon.com/volunteering.

051 Julie Kramer–Adult Literacy Council Volunteers Teach More Than 1,700 Adults to Read and Succeed Yearly Julie Kramer is high on the Nashville Adult Literacy Council (NALC) for its two main goals: Teaching American adults to read and teaching English skills to adult immigrants. Working with classes and through mentoring, nearly 600 volunteers teach more than 1,700 adults each year to read and succeed.   Isolated by the need for a new language, immigrants can turn to NALC for assistance. Becoming more proficient enables newcomers to gain access to the larger community by being able to talk to and understand grocers, doctors, potential employers, and so forth. Learning English allows parents to help their children with school. And the NALC’s citizenship classes facilitate the family’s move toward citizenship.   Not being able to read also isolates thousands of adult Americans. Nearly one in eight Nashville adults can’t read at a functional level. Inability to read labels, complete an application form, comprehend a bill, understand a child’s grade card or homework, and so on limits persons’ economic quality of life and also affects their physical and emotional health and family and social relationships. Depending on others to read is both inefficient and humiliating. NALC classes offer remedial reading for those seeking to enter high school equivalency classes. Volunteers make the difference. Find out more about the program, apply to volunteer, or check the monthly training schedule at nashvilleliteracy.org or email info@nashvilleliteracy.org. Find other episodes in this series at www.retiretovolunteering.com and https://www.facebook.com/EZVolunteering/                   Support this series at patreon.com/volunteering.