Sisters Celebrate Volunteers

“Let us celebrate and thank YOU on this Palm Sunday and the beginning of Holy Week. More than anything, thank you for volunteering!”

Those words, spoken by Coordinator of Volunteer Services Sarah Knoblock, opened the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Sunday, April 13. The luncheon took place in the Community Room of Providence Hall.

Volunteers are Vital

During a short presentation, Sarah broke down how vital the volunteers for the Congregation really are.

She explained how volunteers help with many events. Among them Christmas Fun at the Woods, the Congregation’s Phonathon, the Winter and Summer Used Book sales, the Earth Day Festival and more.

White Violet Center for Eco-Justice is one of the most popular places for volunteers, Sarah said. Six to 12 people volunteer with the ministry monthly, equaling nearly 160 hours per month!

Special honorees

Sarah also gave special thanks to five-year volunteers Kathy Sternal, Jan Showalter, Skitz Evrard and Judy Houghton. 10-year volunteers Donna Stevenson, Rosaline Secrest, Jane Fischer, Marilyn Webb, Alice Quinlan, Stacy Pierce, Penny Frederick and Carl Bender. And 15-year volunteer Sheila Donis.

“To say the Sisters of Providence appreciate their volunteers would not encompass the gratitude and esteem felt towards those who share their time and energy with the community,” Sarah said. “Time is our most precious resource and asset. We only have so much time and most people do not know how long they truly have.

“Volunteers use their talent and share their time to further the Providence Community’s goals of showing and spreading God’s love, mercy and justice to the world … So, thank you, volunteers. You truly make a difference.”

Many of the Providence Teen Volunteers were also in attendance and were recognized.

Celebrating your ‘Great Hearts’

General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski summed it up when offering her gratitude to the volunteers.

“You want to make someone smile. You want to bring hope and healing. You want to offer your own thank you by sharing your gifts and talents,” Sister Dawn said. “These are the untold blessings that I want to celebrate.

“Yes, we celebrate your good work and your service, but we also celebrate your great hearts. Thank you for the gift of your heart!”