From Shelter to Stability
CARITAS Volunteer Appreciation Dinner
November 4, 2010
CARITAS Furniture Bank recently celebrated and recognized key volunteers at an appreciation dinner held in their honor at River Road Church in Richmond. Prior to dinner, pianist Michael Berkley set the stage for a lovely evening as volunteers and guests warmly greeted each other with smiles and laughter during the reception. Organizer, Sharon Drescher who is in charge of Volunteer Development at CARITAS welcomed everyone and humbly thanked volunteers for their time and commitment. Ali Fannon, President of the Board of Directors of CARITAS and Karen Stanley who is the Executive Director of CARITAS also offered a heart felt welcome and appreciation to all volunteers.
Next, guests experienced a prophetic word through dance and captivating movement by the praise team Fresh Anointing of Richmond, lead by Yolanda McDuffy. Dr. Michael J. Clingenpeel gave the blessing and all took part in a delicious meal served by energetic volunteers from a local high school.
Program Directors from CARITAS Shelter, CARTIAS Furniture Bank and CARITAS Works all provided insight into their respective programs and the importance of volunteers. In addition, two former CARITAS clients, Sheila Thornton and James Taylor, told as only they could, their story of how CARITAS and the people there made a difference in their lives. Thornton, accompanied by two family members, voice cracked with emotion as she explained the lows and highs of her life and how thankful and happy she is now. Taylor also went through The Healing Place, a nonprofit organization which provides shelter, long term recovery and uses a twelve step program to help their clients. Similarly, Taylor gave a touching account of his journey.
In the meantime, on stage Carroll Baylor, a driver for CARITAS, offered a dramatic presentation. Viewers watched as he is tightly wrapped himself in a blanket, and clutched a large black trash bag possibly filled with his belongings. He then slowly fixed himself on a cot with the look of uncertainty. Fortunately, everything works out at the end of the presentation for the actor. It was all part of a plan to give the audience a glimpse of how people can move from homelessness to stability with the help of CARITAS.
Above all, the dinner was an opportunity to show the public how much volunteers mean to CARITAS and organizations like them. Volunteers received a gift bag as a small token of gratitude for their service. The event sponsored by River Road Church, SunTrust Bank and BB&T ended with a lucky winner at each table receiving the centerpiece- a birdhouse designed and donated by Kaldy Construction.