“Putting one’s time and energy at the service of others without any obligation, seeking nothing in return – this is the spirit of volunteering.”
– Editorial Staff, L’Osservatore Romano – April 2025
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and here at St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly, we were honored to celebrate our wonderful volunteers with a special meal on April 24. Though they never expect anything in return, we couldn’t let the month pass without showing them just a glimpse of our immense gratitude.
Our volunteers are the quiet heroes of our Home. Whether they are peeling potatoes in the kitchen, folding laundry with care, pulling weeds from our garden, or kindly driving a Resident to a doctor’s appointment, they do it all with love and humility.
Volunteering here is more than a task — it’s a calling. Some of our dedicated volunteers have been serving for many years, including one extraordinary individual who has been with us for over 45 years!
We are continuously inspired by their generosity — of time, talent, and spirit. Many begin in one role and, as we get to know them, we discover gifts that bless us in unexpected ways. A Dining Aide may reveal a flair for crafting, a helper in the laundry room may have a knack for creating raffle baskets, and someone with an eye for organization might be just what we need to run a Rummage Sale!
As St. Teresa of Avila once wrote:
“Christ has no body now on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes with which He looks compassionately on this world… the feet with which He walks to do good… the hands with which He blesses all the world.”
Our volunteers are a living testament to this truth.
To our 70+ volunteers: thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, the Little Sisters, our Residents, and staff are endlessly grateful for your dedication and love. You are truly part of our family.
If you feel called to make a difference, we would love to welcome you to our volunteer team! We currently need drivers (vehicles provided), Saturday morning laundry helpers, and a beautician, but these are just a few of the many ways you can help at our Home. We also welcome teens 18 years and older needing service hours for school or community involvement.
To learn more, please contact Cindy at volpalatine@littlesistersofthepoor.org.
