February 9, 2010 12:31 PM
There is probably no argument with the statement, “One person can make a difference.” We know it is true because we have either been the person who made a difference or saw someone who did.
But how much more of a difference can be made when a group, such as a small group from a church, decides to tackle a large service project through Volunteers In Service?
That’s what happened when a small group from Ada Bible Church, led by Steve Stepek, decided to help a Grand Rapids family with a large clean-up and organizing project.
The project, which was referred to VIS by Gerontology Network and was posted on thecommon.org, involved cleaning the house, organizing the contents, and significant lawn work.
“It was a lot of work and more involved than what we thought when we signed-on,” said Stepek, a senior transportation planner for the Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study. “It was very dirty and there had been a lot of hoarding.”
Stepek said that Ray and Ann, who needed to get the house ready to be sold, were absolutely amazed at the help the small group provided.
“They were overwhelmed that anyone would want to help,” said Stepek, noting that nearly 20 people have so far participated in the project over four different weekends.
Debbie Jones, Connections Director at VIS, said the group did some amazing work in a stressful situation.
“Not only was there all this work that needed to be done, but Ann was also the caregiver for Ray’s 78-year-old sister who is mentally impaired, learning disabled, and hearing impaired. She was feeling extremely overwhelmed and did not know where to turn to get this work done.”
“We’re not quite done yet as we have a couple more days worth of work to do, some of it in preparation for a possible yard sale,” Stepek said. “There was a lot of stuff in that house, including antiques and cash.”
Stepek also said it has been a great experience for the group.
“We’re all here to be servants; this is what we’re supposed to be doing. It has really helped us get to know each other better and it has been a lot of fun.”
If you’re in a small group, and know that serving is “what you’re supposed to be doing,” contact us here at VIS at info@visgr.org or 616.459.7500.
December 29, 2009 6:43 AM
Because of legislation signed recently by Governor Jennifer Granholm, donated vehicles to Volunteers In Service will continue to be eligible for a state tax credit. The credit, $50 for an individual filing separately and $100 for a married couple filing jointly, was scheduled to expire at the end of 2009.
"While not a large amount of money, it does provide an additional incentive to donate a vehicle," said Doug Redford, Executive Director of Volunteers In Service. "I'm glad to see this was continued, especially in the aftermath of 'Cash for Clunkers' which removed a significant number of good vehicles from the market."
Redford said that taxpayers can also receive federal tax credits for donating a vehicle and recommended that all donors consult with their tax professional for additional information.
To donate a vehicle to VIS, call Chuck Roetman at 217-6698 for more information and to arrange a pick-up. Proceeds from all donated vehicles are used to further the programs and services of VIS.
December 3, 2009 6:40 AM
We're often asked what it looks like when a "need" is connected to a volunteer. This is not only what it looks like, but this is what God is doing through VIS!
Connections Director Debbie Jones tells the story:
"I had posted a need for a "friendly visitor" on TheCommon.org. Kendra responded to that request along with telling me of her family’s desire to invite a family to spend Christmas Day with her family. She said she would be going to her parents’ home on Grand Rapids' west side and they had discussed how they would like to share dinner with another family. She asked if I knew of a family who might be spending Christmas alone.
Well, we knew of a single mom named Tess who has two children ages 7 and 10 and has been working hard to provide for her children. The only family Tess has in the area is a sister. My ears perked up because Kendra is also a single parent with two children ages 7 and 10. Tess was really feeling down because she misses home, which is in the Philippines. Tess was very interested in accepting Kendra’s invitation because it would be something different and it appealed to her that she and Kendra had something in common.
We emailed Kendra to let her know that she had a family who would like to accept her invitation and she told her all about Tess. Kendra called us after reading the email and said she couldn’t believe the connection she had with Tess. Not only are they both single parents with children the same ages, but Kendra’s parents were missionaries and Kendra graduated from high school in the Philippines. Can you believe it?! God is SO amazing and SO good!!"
November 16, 2009 6:57 AM
Wilma Grasman, a VIS-connected donor from First Byron Christian Reformed Church, was honored as a "Starlight" Award nominee at an annual event hosted by Humana. The event, held November 12 in the Pantlind Ballroom at the Amway Grand Hotel, honored 27 Kent County seniors who are actively serving as volunteers.
Grasman, recognized for her work as a "friendly visitor" to two women in Byron Center, had attended a volunteer training session in February of 2009 and was eventually connected by VIS Connections Director Bernita Tuinenga.
"We were able to match her with a woman who is taking care of her 92-year-old mother," said Tuinenga. "It is a perfect match because Wilma is able to simply be a friend to these two ladies. She is such an encouragement to them as she uses her life experiences to make a difference in the lives of others. She is also a tremendous example as to what one person can do. She is amazing."
Grasman is also involved in a group of women who makes quilts for a variety or organizations. She estimates that she has helped to make more than 500 quilts.
VIS salutes Wilma Grasman and her service for the Lord through her church and VIS!
October 28, 2009 10:44 AM
It was among the Church’s first acts of compassion more than 2,000 years ago—providing food for hungry families. But yet, for Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, MI, it was being done in a brand new way, intentionally and purposefully. Using an “action plan” that was developed with the help of Volunteers In Service, a CFA member, Plymouth Heights CRC saw the distribution of food as a “first step” towards starting significant relationships in their neighborhood. The church believes that by cultivating these relationships they can invite others to share in a new/renewed life with God.
“We know that God has placed our church in this neighborhood for specific reasons and to do specific things,” said Tom VanWingerden, a member of the church’s Missional Action Team, the team that developed the action plan.
“By understanding what our neighbors wanted as well as what we, as a church, can do well, we decided to host a mobile food pantry.”
Wayne Squires, a Congregational Coach for Volunteers In Service who has worked with Plymouth Heights since 2007, said church leaders realized they weren’t living out their mission of “equipping disciples to become neighbors and inviting neighbors to become disciples.”
“They did real well with events and programs,” Squires said, “but they were limited in their relational engagement. They identified their biggest challenge as relationship in mission. But they also understood that they needed to begin with a serving opportunity.”
The church, in partnership with Feeding America, has recently hosted two distribution events in their parking lot on Saturday mornings. While the first one drew 36 families, the second—on September 26—saw 50 families receive fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and juice.
Before receiving the food, residents were served baked goods, coffee, and juice and were engaged around tables by some of the more than 60 volunteers who came out to help.
“We know that relationships are important,” said VanWingerden. “That’s why we have people at the tables. Even though we want to get to know them just a little bit better, and have them know us better, it’s not an ‘us and them’ kind of thing. We’re all in this together.”
Squires said the church is learning to understand what it means to be a good neighbor.
“They’ve identified that it involves ‘boundary-crossing’ ministry. It means they need to be with people who are different and they need to cultivate friendships in the neighborhood.”
Squires also sees two significant things happening through this work.
“They are working ‘with’ another organization (Feeding America) and they understand that beyond providing a service, they can build relationships, learn from those who are being served, and eventually have those folks serving as well.”
| Older >
