There are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. It’s a common complaint. We all seem to have less time for sleep, family and our own interests these days. Time has become a precious commodity
In our community, hundreds of people have chosen to volunteer their valuable time to support a variety of health and human service organizations. Some of our community’s best values are exemplified by individuals prioritizing supporting the needs of others in their schedules.
At the Amherst Survival Center, we know that without these individuals our services would be significantly diminished. We are keenly aware of this as every job done by volunteers is an important contribution to the center’s success.
Every day, 50 volunteers work tirelessly in a variety of ways so that members of our community can be connected to healthy food four days a week, have access to a community store and food pantry that is cost free and a walk-in free health clinic.
Amherst Survival Center volunteers cook, clean, sort and hang clothes, stock shelves and help visitors find all that they need at the Center. Together with a relatively small staff (11 people), the Center’s 220-plus weekly volunteers create and deliver its programs.
Our community’s investment in the Amherst Survival Center is realized in large part because of those who donate their time in combination with the donations of funds, food and goods we receive.
These volunteers make the center a better place not only through their hard work but also by offering their perspectives to the organization, and by referring their friends and neighbors to the center’s programs.
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and though we at the center strive to express our appreciation to our volunteers every day, it gives me special pleasure to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all the Amherst Survival Center volunteers whose dedication allows the center to play an important role in strengthening our community and responding to our neighbors. They inspire us everyday.
Carleen Basler
Amherst
The author is the volunteer coordinator at he Amherst Survival Center.