Thank You Volunteers!

Volunteers: You’re a Key Part of Our Team

Volunteer Appreciation Week: April 17-23, 2022

Volunteers founded the Estuary Council of Senior Clubs almost 50 years ago and volunteers continue to be the backbone of the organization. There isn’t a part of The Estuary that functions without the help of volunteers. This year’s volunteer appreciation theme is Volunteers: You’re a Key Part of Our Team.

This theme is a great summary of how important our volunteers are to the success of The Estuary.  Come into our kitchen and Café sights around 8am and you will find our Meals on Wheels packers busily putting together hundreds of meals that will be delivered to seniors amongst the nine-towns we service.  These meals are picked up by the Meals on Wheels drivers who drive to each home to personally deliver the hot meals. Sometimes this is the only person the client may see all day.

When you enter the Center, a Welcome Desk volunteer is thereto greet you and answer your questions. They guide you to the correct classroom or person for your visit. Many of these classes and activities are facilitated by a volunteer who is sharing their time and expertise with others. Over the years, clients have learned to line dance, knit, play cribbage, Scrabble, or Mah Jongg amongst many other activities. Volunteers have also led support groups and run our bingo fundraiser.

If you are joining us for lunch, volunteers have helped prepare the meal trays and deliver them to the clients at their seats. Volunteers lead the daily Pledge of Allegiance to honor those who have served or are currently serving in the military. Once you are finished eating, the volunteers even clear your tray and help clean up the dining room.  

Make your way to the Thrift Shop and the volunteers are BUSILY sorting and pricing donations, setting up displays, and running our cash register. They keep the shop clean and a fun place for you to explore and find that next bargain!

Behind the scenes, the Board of Directors and several committees oversee many aspects of the organization. These decisions include ensuring a future for The Estuary by monitoring finances and looking ahead to the needs of the organization to keep it viable and available for the next generations.

The office staff is fortunate to have volunteers help with administrative tasks such as filing, data entry, and special projects. The volunteers help complete important tasks that may otherwise sit untouched.

While some of the programs were suspended these past two years, it does not erase the almost 50 years of service and dedication given by each individual to The Estuary.  The hundreds of volunteers I’ve had the honor of working with for almost 19 years have all had the same drive - to help others in their community. Each one is a Key Part of Our Team and their legacy is the heart and soul of our organization.

‍