Marla C.

Merry Meal Captain

I volunteer at the SECU Family House in Winston Salem, NC. One day as we were serving dinner, a lady came in all upset. I asked what was wrong, and she told me that she had gotten lost coming back from the hospital and [was] relieved to finally arrive. She wondered if she was too late for dinner. I told her she had plenty of time and showed her what we were serving. She hugged me and thanked me for being so nice to her when she was so upset. I told her to sit and enjoy a meal because it would make her feel better.

The Merry Meal program serves potlucks twice a month at The SECU Family House. I am team captain for the third Monday of the month. There are people who prepare food and others who serve.

 

 

The guests who stay at SECU Family House get a beautiful room at a great rate. They also get breakfast items each day. Volunteers create a hot dinner each night. I am glad to be a part of this great organization. They help so many people in need, helping them feel safe and removing the need to go out for dinner. They get to talk to other people and not feel alone. Sometimes they make friends and lean on each other as they navigate their loved one’s medical treatment.

I started volunteering at SECU Family House when I asked around to find a place to cook and bake and help people. The good feelings with volunteering flow both ways, and I find the people are so nice both to the volunteers and other guests. I always feel good when I leave. I am constantly being told how grateful they are for our potlucks and the great food we serve.

The good feelings with volunteering flow both ways, and I find the people are so nice both to the volunteers and other guests.

I have had friends join me to see what we do. They tell me they feel good helping people who are away from home and their families. The guests make us feel better when it is supposed to be the other way around! It is a great feeling to be a small part of this organization.

 

 

And you can find fulfilling volunteer work, too. Reward Volunteers is a site that has volunteering opportunities that also gives people a chance to log their hours and win prizes. April is National Volunteer Month. Start a new project or return to a favorite place.

This blog post was originally published on The Cabot Blog.