Acts of Kindness – Volunteers
Acts of Kindness ~ Big and Small ~ Every Day ~ All Year Long
The Northland Shepherd’s Center (NSC) has always been and will always be A Volunteer-Powered Organization. It is only because of 333+ volunteers that NSC can provide services to thousands of people in our community. It is only because of volunteers that NSC can provide the variety and diversity of services and programs that it does.
NSC volunteers exemplify the theme of the 2022 National Volunteer Week, Empathy in Action. The compassion, generosity, and responsiveness of NSC volunteers is extraordinary and powerful
The ‘good’ NSC volunteers do comes in ‘all different sizes and all different shapes!’ NSC’s volunteer opportunities are diverse and varied. There is something for everyone … here are examples of how some volunteers give their time, talent, and voice to help NSC and its clients.
CARE CALL
For nearly two years, Jan (shown with Miss Brown her dog) has called her Care Call Client Vicki once or twice a week. They have formed a trusting and caring relationship that is mutually rewarding. Jan says that they are each other’s confidant; should Vicki need something, she knows that she can call Jan.
FRIENDLY VISITOR
Over the last year and a half, Nancy (on the left) and her Friendly Visitor Client Norma (on the right) have become close friends. They enjoy each other’s company so much that they get together a couple times a month and talk on the phone in between.
GROCERY SHOPPING
Always having volunteered where she lived before moving to KC several years ago, Lori needed a volunteer opportunity that she could fit in around her work schedule. She shops for her Grocery Shopper Client Carol every other week. Quite familiar with what Carol normally needs, Lori will call Carol if she feels something needed has been left off her grocery list.
HOME REPAIR
Before retirement, Don had worked for the KCPD and had his own home repair business. Always loving to do home repair work and needing some reasons to get out of the house, doing home repair for NSC clients is a great fit for him. He loves helping others around their homes and feels so very appreciated by the NSC clients.
MARKET BUS
Tom enjoys giving NSC clients a ride in the bus because he gets to meet a lot of new people and it is a wonderful way to help people out. Right now, the bus is used to transport Learning and Laughter attendees but will build up to pre-COVID usage soon and transport attendees for other NSC programs and field trips as well as transport groups to and from the grocery store.
MEALS ON WHEELS
Having worked for many years as a nurse at North Kansas City Hospital, Jan was aware of NSC and its Meals on Wheels program when she retired. It was only natural for her to get involved. She and her husband Tim drive a Friday MOW route and have become good friends with another couple who also drive on Fridays. Getting acquainted with the clients and feeling their sincere gratitude makes being a MOW driver so rewarding for Jan and Tim.
ADMINISTRATIVE / The Flock that Folds
Throughout the year, there are administrative tasks that volunteers help with. One example is the mailings that are done, i.e., the newsletter. There is a group fondly referred to as the ‘Flock that Folds’ that meets to prepare the newsletters for mailing. Preparing a thousand or two newsletters to mail is easier when you have a group gathered around a table having fun while folding, sealing, and stacking! THE FLOCK THAT FOLDS’ JUDY says that “because NSC does so much for seniors like me, I like to help NSC when I can.”
TAI CHI
Twice a week, Dennis leads a Tai Chi group at NSC. Dennis was in a Tai Chi class six years ago; when the class ended, he and some of the other students continued practicing and Dennis was asked to lead the group. He and the group moved to NSC, giving NSC clients yet another opportunity for growth and fellowship. Dennis loves Tai Chi and loves to share his love with NSC clients
TRANSPORTATION
Jana’s parents were lifelong volunteers so for Jana it is only natural for her to volunteer. She wants to set the same example for her grandchildren, so whenever possible, she takes them with her when she does her weekly MOW route and when she TRANSPORTS Diane for her weekly dialysis treatment. Jana loves the variety of people she meets when volunteering and says that it is easy to become close to them!
TECHNOLOGY CENTER
A long-time volunteer in other NSC areas, Chris’ computer background enabled him to volunteer in the new Tech Center when it opened. He loves working one-on-one with NSC clients and helping them learn more about their Smartphones and computers.
TASTY TOTES – HARVESTERS
During the pandemic, NSC was fortunate enough to start giving out food & commodity boxes to clients. This service continues as the prices of most items, even the most basic of items, continue to soar. Volunteers like Jan (shown checking in clients) and groups like SeniorVu (shown ready to give a client a tote of fresh vegetables) support the staff in the distributions.
Volunteers are the backbone of the Northland Shepherd’s Center.
To learn more about volunteering, visit northlandsc.org