Volunteer Spotlight: Larry, Utah Program

Larry is one of our amazing Utah warehouse volunteers!  He does all of the hard work around the warehouse — all of the heavy lifting, box moving, ladder climbing, swamp cooler fixing, and any other jobs that no one else can do. And he does it all while cracking jokes and making us laugh! He is our food packing specialist and is always willing to drive out to the recycling center to drop off all of our empty cardboard boxes. We are so grateful to have him on our team and couldn't do it without him!

Tell us a little about yourself:
I am 70 years old and live in Lindon, Utah. I grew up in and we raised our family in Southern California. I attended BYU (BS degree in Zoology) and Loyola of Chicago (DDS degree in Dentistry). I’m currently retired with a goal to remain active and contribute to community, family and church community. Previous volunteer experience includes various church responsibilities, scouting, coaching, currently a docent volunteer at the Butterfly Biosphere at Thanksgiving Point in Utah. 

Role at LHI:
I do whatever I’m assigned to do, which includes assorting, packaging, relocating boxes, lifting, etc.

What is a typical day like for you?
In addition to the above, it is feeling the interaction with other volunteers who share a love for the people who will benefit by our labors. The joy of charitable giving.

How did you become involved with LHI?
My sister in law, Debi introduced us to the organization.

What have you learned since volunteering with LHI? Has your perspective changed?
Real charity is not something you give away. It is something that you acquire and it becomes part of yourself. When the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. I have certainly felt more fulfilled since volunteering at LHI.

Volunteer Spotlight: Ava, Utah Program

Ava is a dedicated Utah drop off location volunteer! Her drop off location is a busy one, and she has an hour drive round trip to get to the warehouse. We often see her once a week! She always pulls up to the warehouse with the music cranked up, her dog in the passenger seat, and a hug and a smile for us.

Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m 65 years old and originally from West Palm Beach, FL. I have been in the insurance business for 40 years and have worked for the same employer 20 of those years. I have served for many years in various positions in my church.  I love serving others.  My Facebook intro says: To serve others and in some small way repay my Father in Heaven for all He is given me. I feel very blessed and feel it my duty to share my blessings with others.

Role at LHI:
I am a drop-off for people who donate to LHI. I normally drop off the items to the LHI warehouse once a month. As most of you know, though, November and December was a very busy month, so I made numerous trips to the warehouse, about every week. It was an amazing experience.

What is a typical day like for you?
It varies depending on when people have donations to drop off. I get a number of phone calls and texts, knocks on the door at various times of the day and night.  People are always so kind, friendly, and so very appreciative of the LHI cause. I even get hugs from many of the people!  That REALLY makes my day.

How did you become involved with LHI?
I get email updates from JustServe.  One day, I saw the word Lebanon and read what it was about. My grandparents were from Lebanon. I never knew my grandfather and only knew my grandmother for about 3 years when I was a teenager. I've tried for many years to tie my Lebanese family tree together.  It is a very frustrating endeavor but one I won't give up on. I felt like I needed to make humanitarian kits for the people of Lebanon. Who knows? Maybe some of those people are my blood relatives? When I called Traci to find out where to take the kits, she told me they didn't currently have a drop off place near where I live. I asked her what was involved. Ironically, my hairdresser lives very close to the warehouse so I drive down there often, so it was a given that I should volunteer to be a drop off location.

Most rewarding experience volunteering with LHI:
I cry easily, and I’ve done a lot of crying since serving with LHI. I think one of the most touching moments came when I went to an assistant living facility to pick up donations. This sweet, mature couple came out of their building pulling a cart loaded with donations. The people at the center had gotten together and made many kits to be sent to Lebanon. I just felt such an overwhelming gratitude for good people who, even though they could sit back in their older years and just enjoy life, were still giving of themselves to help people that they will never know.  I had to stop the car and just bawl!

What have you learned since volunteering with LHI? Has your perspective changed? 
Serving with LHI has opened my eyes even more to the goodness of people.  I knew there were good people doing good things.  I've seen it many times. And, I have been one of those people that has been blessed by the goodness of others. On three different times in my life, I've had needed a place to stay. I was a single mom who had left Florida and moved to Utah. Total strangers took me and my son in, helped me to find a job and a place to live. Although my situation does not compare to what the refugees are going through, I was homeless and needed help from others. One of my favorite scriptures is from Matthew 25:35 "For I was an hungered and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye game me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in."

Volunteer Spotlight: Wendy, Utah Program

Wendy is one of our amazing Utah warehouse volunteers. The first thing she always asks when she walks in is, "What can I do?" She is always willing to help out with whatever needs to get done and she has a great attitude. She makes everyone who comes into the warehouse feel welcome.

Wendy (left) and her sister Debi (right)!

Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m 68 years and from Lindon, UT. I’m formerly from Southern California. I studied Elementary Education at Brigham Young University. Honestly, my life goal was to raise a family that was happy, caring and successful. I have been privileged to have had many opportunities to volunteer and serve in my church, especially with youth. I have also had the opportunity to work several years with the missionaries from our church at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT. Politics and government have always interested me. I recently served as President of Utah County Republican Women and continue as a very active Executive Board Member.

Role at LHI:
I do whatever is needed, such as sorting, counting, packing boxes, etc. 

How did you become involved with LHI?
My sister introduced me to this organization. I felt this was an extremely worthy cause and wanted to contribute.

Most rewarding experience volunteering with LHI:
I have loved witnessing the generosity of all the individuals, organizations, churches and businesses who contribute so freely to this cause.

What have you learned since volunteering with LHI Utah? Has your perspective on anything changed? 
I have learned that it feels so good to be of some help in any way as I work with LHI.  No matter how small my efforts are, it is important I am contributing.  I have also loved the association with the other volunteers as we work together for a common cause.

Volunteer Spotlight: Renae, Utah Program

Renae is one of our our amazing Utah drop location volunteers and has one of the longest drives to the warehouse! She and her family often gather and bring in donations from all of the drop off locations in Southern Utah in their huge trailer. We are so grateful for their incredible efforts that help us to reach out to the Southern half of the state.

Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a 45 year old wife and mother of 4 children ages 21 to 2 years old.  I have a Masters in Social Work and a Masters in Public Administration and currently run a private law practice full-time.  I have lived all over the United States but currently live in Cedar City, UT.  I have had the opportunity to work as a private practice therapist/counselor, be a counselor for an alternative high school, open and run a center for adults with disabilities, as well a be a full-time caregiver to disabled adults and children living in my home, serve as a hospice social worker, and manage care for women and children’s departments in several NICUs and hospitals.  

Role at LHI:
I currently serve as a drop off location coordinator for Lifting Hands International and help transport donations to the warehouse, as well as sit on boards for several nonprofit organizations.  I have spent my life volunteering for and through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. My heart is for the underprivileged. I truly feel blessed and want to help others.  

How did you become involved with LHI?
I heard about Lifting Hands through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and knew I needed to do something more. Shortly after getting involved with Lifting Hands, my 13 year old son chose Refugee Relief as his Eagle Project for the Boy Scouts of America.  

Most rewarding experience volunteering with LHI:
I am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve and to teach my children to serve as well. Each small act of service has a ripple effect that can be felt around the world.