Volunteer Spotlights

Have you ever met a person that no matter what kind of mood you may be in they always are able to make your day brighter. You know, that person that always has a kind word to say or can offer encouragement at any time? At Union Mission, we see quite a few of those people but the person we think personifies that attitude the most is Barbara Johnson-Grear. Barbara is one of those rare finds for the mission. She was employed for a total of 15 years at Union Mission where she retired, came back to work, retired again, and now volunteers regularly at the Mission! Clearly she can’t get enough of the mission and we can’t get enough of her!

“I am addicted to Union Mission,” Barb says. “Many years ago I lived in Beckley. I had a career at the hospital but was in need of food at one time. I approached the mission in Beckley for help and realized that I would like to work at a mission to help others. When I moved to Charleston, I got involved with Union Mission. At one time, two board members approached me and asked if I would like to work at the Women’s Shelter as it was opening. I started working part time but God wanted me to go full time!”

Barb retired (her second time) just last year from Union Mission. We still see her weekly, however, up at the Women’s Recovery campus.

“Mainly I am teaching at women’s  recovery. I lead a Bible Study with the women regularly. I also cover the phones at the front desk, I help with seasonal events like food distribution and the toy drives, I just love it here!”

When I asked Barb what keeps bringing her back to the mission or what is the source of her self-proclaimed “addiction” to the mission she  responded, “I love the fact that it is God centered. I love that people are getting help but they are also coming to faith in Jesus. I don’t want anyone to leave this world and not be saved. I want to be a part of introducing people to the Gospel. I want to help here until I am literally not able to do it anymore.”

Barb’s eyes light up and her infectious smile broadens as she explains, “If people want to volunteer in a place that helps people and serves God, then Union Mission is the place to do that. Evidence of God working in people here is obvious. If you want to be a part of that, come on down here.”

Union Mission is blessed to have volunteers like Barb come down week after week and share their experiences and wisdom with our clients. Their hard work and desire to serve a cause bigger than themselves allows Union Mission to be as effective as we are at helping the hurting people of West Virginia. Thanks so much for your work, Barbara!

Approximately two and a half years ago, Cheryl Cummins was attending a Christian Women’s luncheon at JQ Dickinson Salt Works. As was usual with those luncheons, there was a guest presenting on behalf of their organization. This month, it happened to be a representative from Union Mission’s Women’s Addiction Recovery.

“She spent some time detailing the process at the women’s recovery,” says Cheryl, “and then explained how they needed volunteers to help with some daily tasks. This really got my attention due to the drug addiction experiences I have in my family. My granddaughter is currently struggling with addiction out of state and I thought since I can’t help her, maybe I can play a part in helping someone else.”

Cheryl contacted Union Mission shortly after that luncheon and asked if she could help in the women’s recovery. Every Wednesday Cheryl works half a day at Union Mission Women’s Recovery answering the phones, helping organize the clothing closet (provides clothing for the women), and assisting with other supplies necessary for the residential facility.

“Since I have been here over 2 years on a weekly basis, I have gained more perspective on addiction issues. My granddaughter has tried two different treatment programs without success. Seeing the women come through Union Mission shows me that the person struggling with addiction has to want to get better. No one can force them to get sober. When I see the girls that complete the year in recovery and graduate, it gives me hope there is a chance for my granddaughter to do the same one day. What once seemed hopeless now seems possible. I just pray everyday she wants it bad enough to see it through.”

Cheryl’s faithful and consistent volunteering have been a great help to the recovery program.

“The idea of volunteering in addiction recovery may seem daunting to some,” explains Lindsay Stephens, Director of Addiction Recovery, “while others may think they need to come in with a ‘fix them’ mentality. Volunteering in our recovery is helping in the areas that help keep the facility running smoothly and consistently. That is what these women need to see right now. Consistency and reliability in their surroundings. They know every Wednesday is Cheryl’s day to work. There is comfort in something as simple as that.”

Cheryl plans to continue volunteering  at Union Mission as long as she is able. Although she feels an urge to return to Florida where she lived for over 40 years. Maybe these West Virginia winters have something to do with that. We want to say thank you to Cheryl and all the other volunteers who help in Women’s Addiction Recovery.

During certain times of the month, you can walk by the cafeteria at Union Mission’s admin building and hear the sounds of activity and fellowship. The room buzzes with the sounds of conversations and the rustling of papers. This group of hardworking volunteers are our monthly newsletter team. The story you are reading right now on this newsletter was assembled with the other mailing components into the envelope that came to your mailbox by the hands of this crew.  Their handiwork literally saves Union Mission hundreds of dollars each month that would be spent on mechanical insertion methods. Interesting fact: the Union Mission newsletter is the single largest source of donation from our generous constituents. It is the vehicle that helps keep Union Mission moving down the road of helping hurting people.

Debbie Hicks heads up this team made up mostly of people from her Bible class at Bible Center Church. While she shrugs off the idea of being the “leader” of this team, she is the primary person responsible for assembling and organizing them to show up to take on the task.

“We love doing the monthly mailing work for Union Mission,” Debbie says, “but that is not all that we do. We have helped with Thanksgiving food distribution, Adopt A Family support and gift distribution, and any other thing Joyce asks us to take on. This is a great group of people to work with. Actually, my sister is the one who got me volunteering at Union Mission once I retired. She said, ‘Now that you are retired, you can help!’ She was right. It was the perfect use of my extra time.”

“Everyone of the people in our group have seen Union Mission working in the community first hand,” Debbie explains. “They know the good that the organization has been doing for years. So when we decided to help as a group, they were all in with very little convincing. The mission has always
been close to these people’s hearts.”

When asked about her team, Debbie explains with a big smile, “I just love this group of people. They make this task so much fun. It really is like hanging out with friends who just happen to be stuffing envelopes. I think they would do this job even if there weren’t doughnuts and coffee!”

We love it when teams from churches or organizations volunteer at Union Mission. Sometimes the hardest work needed at the mission is taken on by groups who laugh and smile and press on to see the task completed. These groups not only build into the efforts of the mission but they build into the relationships and friendships within the group itself. Can you imagine the bonds that are strengthened over pulling weeds, cleaning a building, or stuffing envelopes?

Many people think of volunteering as a solo effort. Others feel that to be effective volunteers you have to assemble a large team in order to make the effort worthwhile. While both individual and team and needed at Union Mission, it might percentage of our volunteers come in as a family unit. Husbands, wives, and children of varying ages serve Union Mission in a variety of areas.

The Wigal’s are a perfect example of a volunteering family. For over 5 years they have been coming to the mission to help take on various tasks.  Larry and Kim (husband and wife) and their three children, Emily, Levi, and Sophia, enjoy working together and Kim especially sees the benefit in her children experiencing this type of work.

“I think it has been very beneficial for my children to volunteer at Union Mission,” Kim explains. “My oldest, Emily, is married and just had her first baby. She already sees the importance of her child taking time to help others. The time we spend together as a family volunteering impacts us all.”

Last summer, Kim and her daughter Sophia teamed up to drive one of our ERT trucks in order to distribute food to Lincoln County students for 6 weeks.

Kim describes the time together, “It was a good time to spend together as we drove around the county providing food to the kids. It gave us time to talk and to just be with one another.”

The Wigal’s help each year with many of the seasonal special events. The family has helped with the Thanksgiving food distribution, coat drive sorting, canned food sorting, and toy shop distribution. They also help with the monthly mail insertion.

“The Word calls us to serve,” Kim says. “As Christians we are to help others in need. Volunteering at Union Mission allows us to put the Word into action. My kids get that experience and I think it helps them better understand what we are called to do. I want them to not only serve but to truly have a heart for service. I think they realize what that means over the years and choose to serve with the right attitude.”

Kim shares a Bible verse that they, as a family, focus on. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone (1 Thes. 5:15).

We love when families want to help at Union Mission. Our Volunteer Coordinator, Joyce Davis, can find opportunities to fit most age ranges and skill sets. If you would like to get your family involved in volunteering at Union Mission, call Joyce today to discuss upcoming opportunities.