Russ & Karen

“My family and I have been Union Mission volunteers since 2000 and it has been such a blessing in our lives. I first started volunteering with my office back in 2000 during the Christmas meal volunteer event. I was going through a divorce and what an impact it had on me to ‘pay it forward.’ The following Christmas I took my kids with me, and it impacted them too. I explained to them about how some families don’t have enough money for a Christmas meal or to buy gifts for their children. They were amazed. The next year, they voluntarily went through their toys looking for gently used items to bring with them on our volunteer night. It helped us through a tough time as our family took a new path.

When I was dating my current husband, one of the first things we did together along with his kids, was to volunteer at Christmas to pack meals. They too were amazed at the feelings you experience when you are helping those in need. We eventually married and it became a family Christmas tradition to volunteer. It became so important that some years working at The Union Mission was a higher priority than getting Christmas gifts.

One year when we volunteered, The Union Mission cupboard was bare. In the years to follow, we started food drives at work to collect money and food to take with us. The kids collected food in the neighborhood and at school. Out of that also came people who wanted to volunteer their time. Our groups have been as large as 40 people with collections in the $600 range. We shop at local groceries just before we go with our cash donations. I have had people at the grocery ask what we were doing and willingly give us donations after they hear our story.

Over the years, our volunteer work developed into other things. I was laid off one year and had extra time on my hands. Experiencing a layoff can do a number on your self-esteem. I have a side job as a photographer. An opportunity to go to Camp Hope Haven that summer to take pictures came my way, and I jumped on it. What an experience! The kids and the people who run the camp are awesome. I was amazed at the impact that this program was having on their lives.

Another Christmas, I volunteered to take pictures on one of the days that The Union Mission was giving out Christmas meals and toys. What a wonderful gift it was to see the looks on the families’ faces and experience joy as they received their meals and gifts.

My husband and I recently volunteered to take pictures at the dedication of the new Men’s Shelter. What a gift for us! The stories we heard from Linda Vaughan and the rest of the board were amazing and truly touched your hearts.

We have developed life-long friendships with the people we have met at The Union Mission and are glad to call them family. They do so many wonderful things for the community, making such a positive impact and we are blessed to be a part of it!”