September Volunteer of the Month – Greg
Greg, our September 2017 Volunteer of the Month, has a heart for others and after moving to Knoxville from Jacksonville, Fla., he found himself seeking an opportunity to help those in need. Having previously mentored individuals seeking a lifestyle change, he realized the mission of The Salvation Army and the work at the Knoxville Area Command aligned with his desire to make a difference in the lives of others.
Greg finds that the pace and requirements in the kitchen fit his style of volunteering. He is willing to help out with whatever needs to be done. He likes seeing the smile on resident’s faces as they receive their meal and feels good knowing he has done something to cheer up their day.
The Knoxville Area Command is proud to honor Greg with the September 2017 Volunteer of the Month award. His attitude and desire to serve others are exactly what helps push our mission forward each day.
2018 Angel Tree Registration Flyer
August Volunteers of the Month – Richard & Judy
Richard and Judy are our August 2017 Volunteers of the Month. Richard began is journey with The Salvation Army by helping retrieve kettles during our annual Red Kettle Campaign and his wife, Judy started by helping in our soup kitchen. Today, Richard heads up the Knoxville Corps Youth Basketball team and Judy continues to help out in the soup kitchen and with some administrative duties during kettle season.
This couple adds something special to the Knoxville Area Command’s volunteer program. They each have a heart to serve the Lord and diligently show that passion through the giving of their time.
One of Judy’s favorite memories is her first day of serving in the soup kitchen during Sunday brunch. This is a time with a couple hundred individuals of the homeless population walk through our doors for could be their only hot meal of the day.
“It was a blessing to see them smile and know that they could sit down and enjoy their meal,” she said.
The Knoxville Area Command is so thankful to have dedicated and humble volunteers like Richard and Judy. Without their service it wouldn’t be possible to do the most good in the Knoxville community.
July Volunteer of the Month – Jay
Jay P. is our July 2017 Volunteer of the Month. Jay began his journey as a volunteer with The Salvation Army’s Knoxville Area Command in May 2016 by serving in the soup kitchen. As Christmas rolled around, it was clear he was a perfect candidate to help with some administrative responsibilities for the Red Kettle Campaign.
“Volunteering is a huge part of my life and The Salvation Army’s mission and purpose align with what I believe in. I wanted to do what I can to help people,” Jay says.
Jay particularly loves the interactions with “some of the most selfless people he knows” as he puts it. He sees the drive in kitchen staffers, Kevin and Kerry as well as Holly, Amy and other dedicated volunteers.
One of Jay’s favorite memories of volunteering with The Salvation Army is working with Holly. Holly is a regular volunteer in our kitchen and food pantry (and our June Volunteer of the Month). Having grown up in poverty, he can relate to many of our residents’ situations, but sees their strong spirits as they seek to make a life transformation through the programs at The Salvation Army.
Jay is an ideal volunteer thanks to his positive attitude and willingness to help us do the most good in the Knoxville community. Thanks for all you do, Jay!
June Volunteer of the Month – Holly
Our June 2017 Volunteer of the Month award goes to Holly! Holly has been volunteering with The Salvation Army since May 2015.
Without Holly, many tasks in the soup kitchen and Emergency Assistance food pantry wouldn’t get done. She is a key player when it comes to serving the community on Sunday mornings and helping to get our food pantry clients served throughout the week.
Holly has a regular schedule but you can often find her volunteering with us on her “off days” packing sack lunches for residents, helping to unload our food delivery trucks or even filling the salt and pepper shakers! It’s because she loves volunteering here, “The people are friendly and easy to work with,” said Holly.
Volunteer Manager, Hannah Hankins, added, “Holly is one of our most important volunteers. I can always count on her to be here when scheduled and I love seeing her through the week too. She’s also great at answering questions for other volunteers that may be learning the ropes.”
The Salvation Army Knoxville Area Command is excited to award Holly with the June 2017 Volunteer of the Month Award.
May Volunteers of the Month – The Three Amigos
We are excited to award the May 2017 Volunteer of the Month to The Three Amigos, also known as Jim, Steve and Melissa. They come every Thursday to serve dinner in our soup kitchen without missing a beat – unless it’s for their coveted golf trip twice a year.
The trio got started about 19 years ago when Steve saw an ad in his church bulletin for soup kitchen volunteers at The Salvation Army. He brought along two friends, one being Jim. Through the years the third amigo has varied. Melissa currently fills this spot and keeps everyone in line. One thing remains the same, their faithfulness to serving and helping the Knoxville Area Command to do the most good in the community.
When asked about a favorite memory while serving, Steve is quick to say, “The kitchen rarely runs out of food, no matter how many people come through the line. The Lord always provides.” In response, Hannah, the volunteer manager, says the same about The Three Amigos, “The Lord has provided these hands to serve in the soup kitchen and we are so thankful for them. Their regular service paired with a positive and willing attitude is what I seek in volunteers.”
The Knoxville Area Command looks forward to having The Three Amigos serve in the soup kitchen for at least 19 more years.
(From left to right) Hannah Hankins, Special Events and Volunteer Manager; Jim M; Major Mary Bratcher, Associate Area Commander; Steve M (not pictured: Melissa R.)
March 2017 Volunteer of the Month – Ingeborg
Ingeborg has been a valuable volunteer since 2015. Her volunteering includes helping out with Angel Tree in various capacities, one of our biggest needs each Christmas that provides gifts for needy children and seniors as well as working as a fill-in receptionist at our Area Command.
Ingeborg’s sincere get-it-done attitude and willingness to help out with anything needed is valuable to our volunteer program.
Ingeborg volunteers with The Salvation Army because she feels like her time is worth while. She especially enjoys seeing the parents as they receive Christmas gifts for their family.
“Ingeborg plays an important role each season for our Angel Tree program. Everyone loves working with her because she knows the drill and is efficient – be it getting families registered for the program or directing families and other volunteers on distribution day. When the need for a reception volunteer came up I knew Ingeborg would be the perfect fit. She offers a warm smile to visitors and catches on quickly to procedures,” says Volunteer Manager, Hannah Hankins.
It is our honor to award Ingeborg the March 2017 Volunteer of the Month award for her hard work and dedication to The Salvation Army Knoxville Command.
Ingeborg (left) with Major Mary Bratcher and Volunteer Manager, Hannah Hankins
February 2017 Volunteer of the Month – Maxine
Maxine has been volunteering at The Salvation Army on a regular basis for six years. She began helping out at the Knoxville Area Command after a conversation with a bell ringer at the grocery store about other volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Maxine spends most of her time in the soup kitchen, helping mostly in the Emergency Assistance program’s food pantry three days a week. As part of the food pantry, Maxine’s job is to sort and store incoming food for distribution, pack bags of food for families and manage Emergency Assistance clients as they come in.
Emergency Assistance Social Worker, Selena Nolasco says, “Maxine plays an integral role in the day-to-day operations of the food pantry. Not only does she organize and distribute the orders but she brightens everyone’s day with her laugh and smile.”
In addition to helping in the food pantry, Maxine also helps kitchen staff prepare meals-to-go for The Salvation Army residents to take to work and serves residents lunch and dinner in the soup kitchen. The Salvation Army Kitchen Manager, Kevin Long often refers to Maxine as a “MVV – Most Valuable Volunteer”.
Maxine says she volunteers with The Salvation Army to support the mission of doing the most good in her community and also to be a listening ear when an individual or family is in critical need. She also finds that her rough days are uplifted by those being served.
It is our honor to award Maxine the February 2017 Volunteer of the Month award for her hard work and dedication to The Salvation Army Knoxville Command.
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