Volunteer

“Volunteering has always been something Noah, his older brother Ethan, and I have done together. Some family friends of ours were talking about Heart to Heart recently, and Noah needed some volunteer hours for Upper Arlington High School… so I thought it would be a great idea for us to sign up. Noah completed his required hours a while back but wanted to keep going. I have always enjoyed making a difference in other’s lives by helping and I am proud to know that Noah does too. We are glad to be involved with Heart to Heart and have fun doing it together!”

I started volunteering at Heart to Heart in late summer 2021. I work part-time from home, and when my son went back to school, I had some extra time to spare. My husband and I were married at First Community, and our son was baptized there, so I decided to check out Heart to Heart. What drew me to the drive-thru shift was being able to see and connect with our neighbors who turn to the pantry for help. They are very grateful for the help they receive, but I feel just as grateful to be able to help them.

I work in the animal welfare field, so I understand that dogs and cats are very much part of the family. I noticed that when we had pet food to offer, those who needed it were extra grateful to be able to get something for their pet in addition to the rest of their family. Through my contacts at Columbus Humane, I was able to connect their pet food pantry to Heart to Heart, and since then I have picked up and delivered approximately 1,300 pounds of pet food.

This summer I introduced our 10-year-old son to Heart to Heart, and he loved loading up the cars, and passing out candy and books to the kids who came through. By the end of his first shift, he was moving me aside saying “I got this mom” and loading up the dry goods by himself. He still asks about Yohan and the other Thursday drive-thru crew. I’m happy to instill in him a sense of community service and caring that I hope he will carry with him forever.

My wife and I had been looking for an opportunity to give back and Heart to Heart has helped fulfill that need. I was touched the very first time I had done the drive-thru. I got to see the end result of all of the hard work, and the outpouring of gratitude of the families we served was amazing, and I wanted to be able to do more. Since that time, I have done the Shop and Stock, unloading the food truck, and continued to work the drive-thru. I also got to see the great need there is for food and everyday essentials. With the help of our FCC Couples Circle (84) we were able to donate over 200 pounds of diapers and wipes. I would encourage others to either volunteer or donate to Heart to Heart.

I started volunteering for Heart to Heart in December 2020 and pick up meat from Giant Eagle Marketplace Kingsdale every Friday morning. I have become friends with the Giant Eagle Receiving staff and learned to wrangle large cardboard boxes of heavy meat into a truck. I appreciate Yohan’s assistance in unloading the meat at FCC-South. We have a network of other meat pick-up volunteers, such as Glen Zook, Steve Young, and TC Brown, who help cover Friday pick-up when I am unavailable to pick up the meat. We are definitely a team! Recently, I had the opportunity to walk the 26-mile Inca Trail to Machu Picchu along with other members of FCC and friends. It was an unforgettable experience of a lifetime!

With such high food prices, I have noticed that the number of clients we serve at Hart to Hart each week seems to be much higher.  Often I hear people say things like, “I am thankful for whatever you can give us”.  The thing I like best about being able to serve is the feeling of thankfulness I receive each week.  I am thankful for the church, thankful for the other volunteers, and thankful for the Hart to Hart administrative support staff.  But most of all I am thankful for our clients.  They have the courage to visit us on a regular basis when doing so may be hard for some. Sometimes I feel like I am far too entitled in life; but serving at Hart to Hart helps me to understand the real meaning of thankfulness.

“It’s such an honor to be able to be able to help out.  We are proud of First Community’s ongoing commitment to serving our neighbors at a time of great need.  What also makes the experience special is the amazing volunteers we have gotten to know – praying, joking and enjoying our service together.”

I am thrilled to be volunteer of the moth.  A few years ago when my daughter left for college, and my son left to live in Spain, I had a huge hole in my heart.  I had spent a lot of time volunteering with their school activities, so I needed to find a new volunteer job.  Thankfully, Sarah and Yohan found an opportunity for me to volunteer on Wednesday evenings with the church youth, which fit with my work schedule.  Working with Sarah, Yohan, Jimmy, (leaders) and the youth Nathan, David, Skylar, Bella and many other amazing kids, we have so much fun filling the grocery bags for the pantry.  We play music and sing.  These kids work so hard, and I am so impressed by them.  They  give me so much hope for the future of our church, and the world.  I have this quote saved at home, from a newsletter sent out by Dr. Wing, and I believe it to be true “The happiest people are those who have sought and found how to serve” by Albert Schweitzer. Helping on Wednesday truly makes me happy.

The Monday Morning Stocking Team is our Volunteer of the Month for April. This close-knit dependable team is made up of Beth Simeon, Christine Carney, Marcy Miller, Eileen Covell, Carol Bramschreiber, and Pam Vazsonyi. Here’s what they had to say: “Usually Mondays aren’t a day to look forward to, but being part of the many hands of the ‘Can-Can Girls’ always makes it fun.”

We both were baptized and raised at First Community Church.  An integral part of that experience was the challenge to be of service both to the church and the larger community.  Vickie began volunteering at Heart to Heart several years ago and has worked in a number of capacities.  Dan began a few months ago.  Heart to Heart provides that opportunity of service.  For us, as well, it gives an opportunity to share in something we both find meaningful.  Plus we’ve made some wonderful new friends.  Kudos to Yohan Kim who has created an efficient process that makes volunteering fun!

I’m pleased to be part of the crew that unloads the truck from MOFB. Moreover, I’m happy to be slinging the boxes. The pantry has various jobs. Putting things away and organizing isn’t my strong suit. My grandfather asked me a question when I was 12 or 13. He asked, “Charles do you know the best way to kill time?” I told him that I didn’t know. He responded, “work it to death.” I believe that Heart to Heart is a worthy cause. When I’m volunteering, I’m just killing time.