044 Monk Baird—Habitat for Humanity
Bringing People Together—To Build Homes, Communities, and Hope
From wife, mother, and homemaker to Habitat insulation specialist, Monk Baird leaves no stone unturned or any grass growing under her feet! A true Nashville community volunteer, she has an impact far and wide, making a difference by delivering Meals on Wheels, preparing and serving meals for Loaves and Fishes, and insulating and building homes for Habitat for Humanity in greater Nashville as well as on the Gulf Coast after a hurricane and in Ireland and Hawaii. Asked how many houses she has helped build…a long pause…“too many to count,” she replied.
“It’s fun, and it makes you feel good,” Monk says about why she volunteers, adding, “If I didn’t stay physically active, I would be atrophied.” Directly helping others is what her life all about. Needless to say in her 85+ years, she not only has made a difference to many, but also has served as an example and mentor to even more.
At Habitat of Humanity, they build. They build because they believe that everyone, everywhere, should have a healthy, affordable place to call home. Volunteers make the homes possible! Churches, businesses, and other organizations offer opportunities to volunteer with a group for a one-day or complete build. Individuals may also volunteer.
To learn more about Habitat, visit www.habitat.org. For additional information specific to Nashville, visit: www.habitatnashville.org.
You can find other episodes in the series at retiretovolunteering.com.
You can support this series at patreon.com/volunteering.
043 Beth Howard–The Café at Thistle Farms
The Café at Thistle Farms—Home to Anyone Who Walks Through Their Doors
Growing up in a conservative household in the Bible belt, Beth Howard learned very early in life that any honest job is one of which to be proud. After meeting friends for coffee numerous times at The Café at Thistle Farms, Beth felt called to volunteer in The Café helping in countless ways. It wasn’t long before she knew she was in the right place—giving back to others by waiting on tables, taking out the garbage, and any job which allowed the ladies of Magdalene to spend more time interacting with customers.
The Café feels like home to anyone who walks through the doors. It was built and staffed by the Magdalene graduates and dedicated volunteers. It is a warm and inviting spot for catching up with friends, enjoying a homemade meal, sipping a cup of tea or coffee, or sharing a story—and for discovering or reaffirming that Love Heals!
Beth cut her professional life cut short to make time to take care of a son with cancer and her aging mother. Beth feels she’s being as deliberate about future choices as well. She shares, “I’m taking each day as it comes, doing all I can to volunteer my time to causes that are most meaningful to me. For today, it’s working. “
For more information about Magdalene, Thistle Farms, and The Café at Thistle Farms go to the website: thistlefarms.org.
You can find other episodes in the series at retiretovolunteering.com.
You can support this series at patreon.com/volunteering.
042 Bill Miller—Bible Study in Prison
Offering Prisoners a New Way of Life
In a maximum security prison, Bill Miller, a retired pastor, invites inmates to discover new life through their weekly study of the Bible and other related materials*. As inmates and volunteer alike read, reflect, discuss commentary, and then share how God is speaking to them through the study that particular week, they develop respect for one another, even when they disagree, and find a community of caring. Bill notes those who attend these studies at Riverbend, the prison, are just like every other group he has led.
Bill has also been able to mentor inmates and parolees, lead worship and serve Communion, be a part of the serving team at the Christmas dinner, attend parole hearings, be a pen pal, and visit with inmates. Bill says, “I marvel at the ways in which the involvement of persons with inmates and parolees has transformed the lives of those reaching out to establish relationships as well as those being served.” He reminds us—“in giving we receive and in receiving we give.” Bill talks about putting ourselves in position to find how God graces us in our reaching out to God, to one another, and to the hurting people all around us.
To reach out to prisoners or parolees, check with your local church or denominational office.
*The studies Bill most often uses are in the Disciple Bible Study series, available at cokesbury.com or Amazon.com.
You can find other episodes in the series at retiretovolunteering.com.
You can support this series at patreon.com/volunteering.
041 Brandi Ghergia—Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)—Amazing Results
As the senior manager of the Nashville Alliance for Financial Independence at United Way of Metropolitan Nashville, Brandi Ghergia manages four financial stability programs—Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), the Nashville Financial Empowerment Center, Bank On Music City, and the Nashville Alliance for Financial Independence. The VITA program, with the help of over 260 dedicated volunteers, produced over 15,000 income tax returns in a 30-county area in 2016, resulting in nearly $24 million in tax refunds in Middle Tennessee.
The impact VITA is making is amazing. Volunteers don’t have to have a tax preparation background, but they do need to know about computers and be friendly…no grumpy volunteers! Not only do the people helped return each year, but also the volunteers. The service, performed by the volunteers in both a professional and caring manner, creates a sense of community that invites reconnecting from tax season to tax season.
United Way is making a better Nashville by creating strategic, scalable solutions focused on education, financial stability, and health—the building blocks for a good life! A quality education leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. Creating solutions in these areas moves people from dependence to independence.
Links:
Local, Nashville, TN volunteers: www.volunteerforvita.org.
Out-of-state volunteering: www.irs.com.
Taxpayers: www.unitedwayfilefree.com.
Phone number and email address for volunteers:
615.861-3008
You can find other episodes in the series at retiretovolunteering.com.
Please support this series at patreon.com/volunteering.
040 Jo-Ann Heidenreich—Parthenon Docent
Parthenon Docent Program—Sharing a Love of History and Art
“You don’t need to know anything ahead of time to volunteer “—these are the words of Jo-Ann Heidenreich, a current volunteer for Nashville’s Parthenon Docent Program. Her love of art and Greek mythology is a perfect match for the opportunity to serve as an ambassador, promoting awareness and providing education about the Parthenon.
Jo-Ann’s work as a teacher and administrator for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools for thirty years and as an educational consultant in more than twelve states, including Tennessee, set the stage for her vital role as docent.
As docents for the Parthenon, volunteers become teachers, guides, givers of directions, and public relations experts—all in one. The program, which started in 1998, is now in its third decade. Docents are work four to eight hours a month at the iconic Nashville attraction and commit to one year in various volunteer duties.
To obtain further information or to participate in this fascinating program, contact the Parthenon at info@parthenon.org or call 615-862-8431. For other volunteer opportunities as a docent, contact museums, historical homes, or other locations of historical or artistic importance in your community.
You can find other episodes in the series at retiretovolunteering.com.
Please support this series at patreon.com/volunteering.