Volunteer Leader Spotlight: Julie Hill

Between her hobbies of hiking, biking, camping, and painting, Julie Hill seems to find herself leading volunteers and helping others on a regular basis. Just like getting in that habitual workout at the gym, Julie needs her community fix – and the community needs her. Twice a month, this southern California native works with a team to help prep and cook food for people who don’t have easy access to fresh produce. She has become an integral part of The Nashville Food Project, a local nonprofit that seeks to provide increased access to healthy foods in homeless and working poor communities across Davidson County.“I like the Nashville Food Project because you have two steps: preparing the food and handing it out to the individuals in need. I find it very fulfilling to be able to meet the individuals that we are there to help,” says Julie. “For me, volunteering is such a rewarding experience; I get the benefits of helping others and meeting great people who enjoy giving back to the community.”

She’s been working with The Nashville Food Project as a Volunteer Leader since September 2012, but has been an active Hands On Nashville volunteer since 2009. From a very young age, Julie was taught that helping her community was part of normal life. She continues to value the opportunity to help out her community and encourage those around her to do the same.

Julie has found Hands On Nashville to be a wonderful place to get connected. “By offering such a great website and partnerships, and the amazing people, Hands On Nashville makes volunteering truly a no-hassle and thoroughly enjoyable experience.”

Are you looking to get involved with The Nashville Food Project like Julie?
➢ Click here to see a list of upcoming opportunities and sign up.

Give a Smile, Get a Blessing: Volunteering at Room In The Inn

Guest post by Caroline Foley

“Girl, you could light up the world with that smile.  You always smile like that?” A homeless guest asked me.

“I can’t help it,” I said.  “Y’all make me laugh.”

A volunteer registers a guest for the Winter Shelter Program.

I started volunteering for Room In The Inn’s winter shelter program a few months ago when, on a chilly November evening, I had met some friends for dinner at a local restaurant.  As we stood in the parking lot, shivering and saying our goodbyes, one friend commented, “I feel so bad for the people with no place to stay tonight.”

That statement stayed with me during my drive home.  I thought about Nashville’s homeless population and the dropping temperature.  I thought about being lucky enough to go home to a heater and a comfortable bed and wanting to help those who couldn’t.  I thought about Hands On Nashville’s motto: Be the Change.  Then, I thought about the 100+ people who would be sheltered that night thanks to Room In The Inn and their partner congregations.  The next day, I signed up to attend a volunteer orientation at Room In The Inn.

The atmosphere there is one of acceptance and friendship, and I look forward to volunteering with them on Tuesday evenings.  My usual assignment as a runner involves ensuring registered guests are transported to the correct congregation.  As another volunteer calls a list of names over the loudspeaker, I chat with guests as they assemble near the front entrance.  More often than not, they spend this time entertaining me with jokes and stories, which has quickly become my favorite part of the evening.

Church shuttles lined up to receive guests at Room in the Inn.

Last Tuesday, I called roll after I escorted a small group onto a church shuttle.  I called the first name, and he responded, “Here.”
I called the second name.
“Over here,” he said.
Then, I called the third name.
“God bless you, Caroline.”
I called the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh names, and they all answered with “Bless you, Caroline.”
When I called the final name, he smiled and said, “You have a blessed evening, young lady.”

I don’t know if I will ever be able to repay what they have given me, but I will continue to try.

 Browse volunteer opportunities with Room In The Inn here or visit their website, for even more ways to get involved.

Caroline Foley is a community volunteer and Program Manager at Hands On Nashville. A former Peace Corps Volunteer who served for 27 months in Romania, Caroline loves reading and spending time outdoors. 

 

 

HON Staff Reflection: Tuesday Night at the Mission – The Kindness of Strangers

Malinda Hersh has worked at Hands On Nashville since January 2005, and is Director of Volunteer and Nonprofit Programs. She volunteered at the Nashville Rescue Mission this week alongside eight HON volunteers, and shares this reflection.

The trays kept coming — faster and faster — and were picked up by hungry diners just as quickly as they were filled. The eight people filling the trays had never met before this night, but they worked as efficiently and happily together as any well-practiced team would. The line workers delivered many wishes of “Merry Christmas” and “enjoy your meal” while they served, but it was those being served that provided the best sentiments. “Thank you for being here,” “we appreciate you,” and “God bless you” were the oft repeated phrases from the diners at the Nashville Rescue Mission.

I was one of the lucky servers at the Mission on a recent chilly Tuesday night who helped serve 525 men an evening meal. I left the Mission feeling as I’ve heard many volunteers state: that I received more than I gave. I said “congratulations” to someone who had just landed a job, I smiled with someone who was excited to see the slice of blueberry pie on his plate, and was thanked countless times for being there. I enjoyed getting to know my fellow volunteers: a mom making sure her young son experiences what giving back really means, a college student home from Atlanta, a couple who just relocated to Nashville, and two ladies who had volunteered previously with the Mission. I have a feeling that they won’t be the only ones to volunteer there again.

Hands On Nashville hosts two dinner service projects every month at the Nashville Rescue Mission. Join us! Click here for more info.