Volunteer Appreciation Month 2024
LISTEN
LISTEN celebrates all of our amazing volunteers!
Since 1972, LISTEN volunteers like you have made meaningful impact and positive change in the Upper Valley. From serving warm meals in the Dining Hall to creating a welcoming space for Thrift Store shoppers, you all shine bright as helpers in our community.
Since last April, 795 dedicated volunteers have donated an astounding 15,780 hours of service with LISTEN!
What better way to celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Month than catching up with volunteers from across LISTEN’s programs and Thrift Stores? Below are stories from neighbors like you who donate their time and share their skills in service to our community!
“What a great project!”
Your neighbor John is helping to bring new life to the physical media displays at LISTEN’s Miracle Mile Thrift Store. When John first volunteered, he noticed that the DVDs, LPs, and CDs for sale were not easily accessible to customers. His solution? Build new shelves on which physical media could be browsed by genre! In collaboration with LISTEN staff, he also installed a monitor to play movies while families shop. What keeps him coming back? The people! John shares: “I’m just some guy showing up. But everyone right from the start has been just so supportive of what I’m doing.”
“There’s something for everyone to do.”
After moving to the Upper Valley, Natalie and her son Colin chose to volunteer in LISTEN’s Food Pantry because it was an “obvious place where [they] could come and help out.” While Colin loves organizing donations, Natalie finds joy chatting with Pantry guests. She reflects that “it’s fun to recognize familiar faces and see how everyone’s week has been.” Natalie shares that she and Colin can’t wait to build even more community connections through volunteer service. For this volunteer duo, LISTEN is a “kind and friendly place to be.”
“I feel better when I’m here.”
If you’ve ever volunteered in LISTEN’s Community Dining Hall, then you know our neighbor Roger! Roger is a dedicated, longtime volunteer. Nearly every weekday, he donates his time to the Community Dining Hall, helping to make sure all of the cooking equipment is clean for the next meal service. Roger shares that it’s the people and the community that keep him coming back. LISTEN’s Assistant Community Meals Manager Sherise reflects that LISTEN couldn’t make nearly as much of an impact without volunteers like Roger: “Roger brings a smile to all our guests and volunteers who come into the Dining Hall. Everyone knows him by name!”
“It’s nice to know that I can help out people.”
Several years ago, your neighbor Charlie was newly retired and looking for ways to give back. Inspired by his mother’s lifelong dedication to helping her community, he started transporting Fresh Rescue donations from local grocery stores to LISTEN’s Food Pantry. These donations include produce and bread, which Charlie helps to save from becoming food waste.
During the pandemic, LISTEN began partnering with RSVP Chore Corps - an AmeriCorps Seniors program of the Grafton County Senior Citizens’ Council - to deliver groceries from our Food Pantry to homebound community members. Charlie was one of the first volunteers to support this initiative. Over three years later, he continues to donate his time every week delivering Food Pantry orders. One of his favorite parts of volunteering is making sure his weekly deliveries always include “some kind of dessert” to make his neighbors’ days a little sweeter.
“We come to be of service and to be part of the community.”
Our neighbors from the Hanover Friends Meeting have collectively volunteered with LISTEN’s Community Dinner Program for over 20 years! Their Volunteer Cook Team brings such joy to the LISTEN kitchen, as they help with everything from food preparation to meal service. (We have to say, their meatloaf is the BEST!) For Tom, a regular volunteer with Hanover Friends, “the people and the staff who work in the [LISTEN] kitchen have been like family.” One thing they’d want folks to know about LISTEN’s Community Dinners? Longtime volunteer Patty shares that these meals are “a meaningful way to bring people together.”
“It gives me great joy.”
Your neighbor Patrick loves volunteering in LISTEN’s Miracle Mile Thrift Store! His favorite part? Helping to organize, straighten, and sort the merchandise - especially the puzzles and games. (Patrick shares that listening to good tunes in the store is also a bonus of volunteering!) One reason he continues to donate his time each week is the knowledge that he’s “helping people who shop here find everything.” When not making LISTEN a more joyful place, Patrick likes participating in theater productions at Zack’s Place. This year, he’s starring in a production of Peter Pan. From your friends here at LISTEN: “Break a leg, Pat!”
“It’s the highlight of my week!”
Every week, students from the Mount Prospect Academy help to make LISTEN’s Miracle Mile Thrift Store an even more welcoming place. In addition to preparing products for the sales floor, these students graciously go out of their way to greet and assist customers. One student reflects that volunteering with LISTEN helps them to learn transferable job skills. For another student, LISTEN is a place where they know that they can “feel good” and “help people.” When not volunteering with LISTEN, these Mount Prospect Academy students enjoy spending time outdoors, creating music, and volunteering with local food assistance programs.
Team LISTEN knows that volunteers impact continues year-round.
Thank you, volunteers!
MEDIA CONTACT
Organization Name:
LISTEN Community Services
Email:
Send Email
Phone:
(603)448-4553
Address:
60 Hanover St
City:
Lebanon
State:
New Hampshire
Country:
United States
Website: www.listencs.org
