SALISBURY — More than 2,500 people volunteer each year at Rowan Helping Ministries interviewing clients, cooking meals, sorting food and clothes, doing laundry and teaching life-skills classes.
Rowan Helping Ministries honored them with a recognition banquet March 18 at the Salisbury Civic Center.
Executive Director Kyna Grubb welcomed about 350 volunteers.
Diane Hundley, chairwoman for the RHM board of directors, thanked them.
“It’s the daily and nightly volunteer service of the individuals gathered here that embodies the ‘cooperative community action’ in Rowan Helping Ministries’ mission statement,” Hundley said.
Hundley asked if anyone in the crowd volunteered for at least one other organization, and nearly every hand went up.
A significant number of people indicated that they volunteer for up to three additional organizations.
“I realized as I looked out over the crowd that volunteers put God’s love into action at Rowan Helping Ministries every day, and it is this group of very dedicated people that makes a difference for all the citizens of Rowan County year round,” Hundley said.
Organizers presented a slideshow of the “Miracle on Long Street,” showing progression of the new shelter building and Jeannie’s Kitchen from groundbreaking to current construction.
Kimberly Collins, director of resource development and community relations, recognized four volunteers — Charles Ingram, Dalton Looney and Paul and Linda Rogers.
Ingram is willing to work in almost every area of the Crisis Assistance Network, Collins said. When the staff member who handled the reception desk was out, Ingram was there every day to greet and serve clients.
In the past year, Ingram has volunteered more than 650 hours of service at Rowan Helping Ministries.
A volunteer for many years, Looney conducted food drives for Trick or Treat So Others May Eat. In the past three years, his efforts provided 6,000 pounds of food for the pantry.
He encourages young people to volunteer by engaging children from Nazareth Children’s Home in service efforts at Rowan Helping Ministries. In addition, he gave of his time and talent to teach 20 Rowan Helping Ministries’ employees first aid and CPR, Collins said.
Paul and Linda Rogers are members of the West Rowan Task Force and serve the community through Rowan Helping Ministries’ satellite office in Mount Ulla.
They have organized yard sales and events at Patterson Farms, McLaughlin’s Farmhouse and the annual golf tournament held each May at Crescent Golf Course to benefit RHM.
Volunteers were recognized based on years of service from one year to more than 20 years. One volunteer who attended the banquet had 25 years of service.
Each volunteer received a small aluminum cross as a token of appreciation for their service at Rowan Helping Ministries. Debbie Suggs Catering provided dinner and Thelma’s Restaurant provided the desserts.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Rowan Helping Ministries, call Emily Huffman at 704-637-6838 ext. 112.