Advertisement

Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility, Bellaire

"They're a huge part of what it takes to keep this place going," Volunteer Coordinator Ramona Belanger said. "It adds so much because they want to be here. It's not an obligation."

Among the list of 90 active volunteers Belanger sees weekly at Meadowbrook, a healthy number are resident volunteers who make good use of their time at the care facility by serving those around them who may be less capable.

A council of residents plan and set up events, transitional volunteers provide company and care for those living their final days at the facility and others fill service jobs to keep busy, according to Belanger.

When it comes to outside help, Meadowbrook welcomes an assortment of volunteers from high school students to residents' family members.

"It helps that we're situated in a small area," Belanger said. "When people come they usually have connections here."

During her mother's two-year stay at Meadowbrook, Alice Manchester began volunteering her time there and continues to this day, a year and a half after her mother passed.

"They're so good to the residents here," Manchester said while setting up chairs for chapel. "I wanted to give back."

Communities in Schools, Mancelona

In an effort to weld community and schools together in Mancelona, a mentoring and tutoring fellowship has been implemented among students and members of the communities that have valuable life experience to offer. Communities in Schools encourages volunteers to pour into the lives of students in hopes of achieving their goal of "helping kids stay in school and prepare for life."

"Schools can't do it alone," Mentoring Coordinator Amy Derrer said. "A lot of the mentors don't realize it but their one hour a week makes such an impact on those students."

In addition to providing mentors to students, CIS organizes college field trips for middle school students to give them a grasp on furthering their education, before and after school programs and tutoring services.

With the number of volunteers fluctuating between 80 and 100 during the school year, Derrer welcomes the task of coordinating those numbers while standing in plain sight of students who are being encouraged to believe in themselves by mentors who have lived life ahead of them.

Good Samaritan Family Services, Ellsworth

"This place could not function without them," Good Samaritan Director Mary Peterson said of her small army of volunteers. "They do everything. It's hard work but they come back every week."

The work seems to be paying off as 400 families per month benefit from volunteer efforts at Good Samaritan. The non-profit began in 1990 as an outreach for about 30 local families per month.

"I came in one day and saw stuff piled up to the door so I asked if they needed help," volunteer Evie Cunningham said as she folded clothes in a side room of the resale shop. "I've helped out for about two years."

One of about 80 good Samaritans working in the food pantry, retail shop and Moms and Tots Center, Cunningham said part of the reason she chooses to serve is the company she keeps in the process.

"People give back for many reasons," Peterson added. "Maybe they're serving the Lord, or for the friendships with each other. They get to see other people and you never know what will happen here."

Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire

"We have many people who volunteer for education," GRNA Executive Director Mark Randolph said. "They'll come out and help the naturalists meet school buses, divide kids into groups and assist in the entire process."

The Grass River Natural Area keeps a modest number of staff suitable for smaller events but depends on "a little core of people who know the system" to volunteer their time for different tasks.

"A lot of retired teachers help with curriculum input and many presenters in summer program are volunteers," continued Randolph. "We have some wonderful folks who help with mailing newsletters and reminders. They just sit in a meeting room for half a day and stuff envelopes. It's a meaningful way to make a difference."

Whether stuffing envelopes, sorting clothes, tutoring a student or setting up chairs, volunteering seems the new title for living in community with less regard for self and a little more for others.

Chris Tredway can be reached at ctredway@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-533-8523.