We want to welcome our new faith partner Emmanuel United Methodist Church. This church joined us as a faith partner back in February of 2023, and some of their congregation members are actively volunteering with Hearts & Hands: Faith in Action, Inc.
The first member who is also a volunteer with us is Don Frail, he has been volunteering with us for a few months and has found it to be very fulfilling. Don shared with us that he has been having wonderful experiences volunteering with Hearts & Hands, he especially likes the flexibility. Don is trusting the good Lord to show him what he is supposed to be doing, and volunteering with Hearts & Hands has deepened his discipleship. Once Don retired from his job, he started looking to things to do and got connected with a few different churches. While attending Emmanuel United Methodist Church, he had the opportunity to listen to a presentation given by the Executive Director at Hearts & Hands, Aaron Carlson and knew that he would like to get involved with the organization. Don's experience with each of our care receivers has left a lasting impression on him, he says that he loves to interact with people, and he says that they always say, "Thank you so much, you don't know how much this really means to me." The appreciation and the thank you comments, really motivates Don to continue to volunteer his time and help out people in the community.
Another volunteer who is working with us here at Hearts & Hands is Lynn Garlock. Lynn says that her experience working with Hearts & Hands has been wonderful so far. She has mostly been providing companionship services, both over the phone and in person mostly on a weekly basis. Lynn says that she loves building relationships with our care receivers. One of the other things that Lynn liked about volunteering with Hearts & Hands is the flexibility and the easy training. Hearts & Hands was another volunteer opportunity that Lynn was happy to help with, she has been participating in different programs through her church for the past twenty years. Some of the programs that Lynn also participates in include outreach ministry/on call program, which contacts shut-ins, hospitalized, and nursing home church members. She also supports her church's food pantry on a regular basis. Lynn volunteers because she likes to help people, and she believes because of her faith it is important to give back. Lynn had this to say about volunteering "I enjoy volunteering with older adults because they teach me so much. I have deep respect for older adults, and I have my grandmother to thank for that. She was in my life until I was almost 49 years old and I still miss her to this day."
Hearts & Hands appreciates people like Don & Lynn who take the time to volunteer and help older adults. This new partnership with Emmanuel United Methodist Church has helped Hearts & Hands so much, and we hope to continue to work together in the future.
