As National Volunteer Week drew to a close, Mission Services of London held a magnificent luncheon at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn on Thursday, April 19th.  This annual event is a fitting way to thank the many volunteers who give their time and their energy each and every day.

As a not for profit social services agency, Mission Services of London relies heavily on the strength of our many volunteers to ensure each initiative and program receives the attention it deserves.  200 individual Londoners donated their time and effort last year.  In addition, 46 groups banded together to lend a helping hand.  From church groups to businesses to a few good friends, all decided to work together to bring change.  In all, over 30,000 volunteer hours were logged among our Mission Services of London branches.

It was with great pleasure that Melissa Tiller, Volunteer Relations Coordinator, organized this Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.  Tiller, who recruits and manages each and every one of our volunteers, provides this opportunity each year to interact with the volunteer community and give credit where credit is due.  “We are so grateful for the individual and group volunteers that we have,” she says,  “We couldn’t provide as many successful programs as we do without their efforts and dedication.  We are truly blessed.”

During the luncheon, plaques were presented to commemorate years of service with Mission Services of London and all were honoured for their tireless dedication.

Veronica Trubell has volunteered in the kitchen at The Men’s Mission &  Rehabilitation Centre for over five years.  In that time, she has cooked and served with a smile on her face and a genuine dedication in her heart.  Accompanied by Jean Williams, a fellow volunteer, she approached the podium to provide some insight into why these community members choose to provide us with so much time and energy on a daily basis.  She spoke of her experience preparing food for another organization, during a charity luncheon years ago.  At the end of the meal, as is often the case, much of the food was left uneaten.  Veronica decided to donate those delicious meals to The Men’s Mission &  Rehabilitation Centre.  Days later, she received a sincere letter of thanks from its Director, Gordon Russell.  It was that letter, with its genuine expression of gratitude that convinced her the time was right to begin volunteering her time at the Men’s Mission & Rehabilitation Centre.  Since then, Veronica hasn’t looked back.

We are thankful for the many kitchen volunteers who prepare countless meals from week to week.  We are thankful for The Mission Store volunteers who sort through clothing and household articles and greet each customer with a smile.  We are thankful for the Resource Centre volunteers who teach life skills to the residents of The Men’s Mission & Rehabilitation Centre.  We are thankful for the landscaping volunteers who bring their green thumbs to the outdoor space around our various branches.  We are thankful for the administrative volunteers who sort through the paperwork and tedious tasks at head office.  We are thankful for the pet therapy volunteers who bring their specially trained dogs to Rotholme Women’s & Family Shelter and to the Men’s Mission & Rehabilitation Centre to add the warmth and tranquility that only an animal can.  We are thankful for the warm handshakes, the reassuring smiles, the compassionate hugs and the engaging conversation.

During the luncheon, Executive Director Peter Rozeluk expressed his thanks to those who have provided unending support and compassion: “You remind us that no one stands alone, and in some sense you have allowed us, the employees of Mission Services of London to stand on your shoulders.”

Please allow all of us at Mission Services of London to extend our most sincere thanks to every one of our valued volunteers during National Volunteer Week and always.

In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve.  You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.  You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve.  You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.”

If you would like to join our outstanding team of volunteers click HERE