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Volunteer Stories

 

 

Connect Transit Bus Employees

Connect Transit Bus Employees

“Give your blessing and you’ll get a blessing back. That what my mom always told me,” shares volunteer Art Abrams.

Last year, Art, along with other Connect Transit Bus Employees, hosted a Fourth of July picnic at Home Sweet Home. After having so much fun, the group eagerly volunteered to serve again this summer.

“I love giving back. My co-workers were all in so we decided to do it again. And we like it so much, we’ll probably do it again next year,” exclaims Art.

With more time to plan and more donors involved, Art and his coworkers served up …

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Karen Kuntz

Karen Kuntz

Karen Kuntz started at Home Sweet Home’s soup kitchen on June 7, 2013 and has volunteered over 350 hours.  Karen was a stay at home mom for several years but was always involved in her children’s schools and church.  As the youngest entered high school, Karen realized she wasn’t needed as much so she started praying about what to do.  In her church bulletin she read that Home Sweet Home was seeking volunteers.  She initially volunteered every other week but got hooked and loved it so much that she switched to a weekly serving time.

Karen believes her …

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Nadine Prall

Nadine Prall

Nadine Prall- Volunteer at HSHM from Home Sweet Home Ministries on Vimeo.

Nadine Prall read in the bulletin at St. Pat’s of Merna that help was needed serving lunch on Fridays at Home Sweet Home.  So in October of 2013, she started serving and fell in love with the people – staff and residents.  She also shopped quite frequently at Bloomington Mission Mart and eventually added volunteering at the store in her schedule. She has volunteered more than 210 hours since starting. Nadine states that Monica Carson, BMM Store Manager, is a joy to work with and …

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Richard Garmon

Richard Garmon

Richard Garmon came to Home Sweet Home back in January 2013 with a job coach from MarcFirst. Eventually, Richard started coming on his own to help sort shoes and accessories.

In his weekly 2-hour time slot, Richard sorts through two large bins (gaylords) of shoes/accessories.  He matches up the donated shoes and separates the accessories from the shoes to make sure they are in the proper bins. The Warehouse Manager stated that Richard is vital to the shoe department with all he accomplishes.

Richard said he likes to volunteer and being with people. He has fun sorting the shoes and …

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Bonnie Owens

Bonnie Owens

Bonnie Owens started volunteering in the Food Pantry in September of 2012.  Since then the Food Pantry has converted to the Bread for Life Food Co-op.  Bonnie has volunteered over 335 hours.

When Bonnie worked she felt she had more money than time.  She also realized she was more fortunate than others.  After being retired a couple of years, she felt she had more time and wanted to give back.  Home Sweet Home offered several different areas for volunteering and the flexibility to move around in those areas.

By volunteering in the Food Co-op, Bonnie helps with essential food and …

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Stacy Yehl

Stacy Yehl

Staci Yehl and her family started volunteering at Home Sweet Home in January 2011. She learned of Home Sweet Home through local churches and shopping at the Bloomington Mission Mart Thrift Store. The family wanted to give back to the community and teach their boys about community service. The Yehl’s first volunteer experience was helping with removal of all Christmas decorations in the shelter. 

Later, God directed Staci to call Home Sweet Home with the idea of hosting a monthly birthday party for the children at Home Sweet Home. Staci has a background in childhood education and was excited to …

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Karen Kieser

Karen Kieser

When Karen Kieser had been on short-term mission trips, she felt that God would move her and speak to her heart. She would come back and reflect on “what am I doing right here?”

Karen had volunteered at Midwest Food Bank when it was on the farm, but decided to take a break when they moved to Bloomington. 

Volunteering in the kitchen at Home Sweet Home was something she wanted to do for a long time. Karen waited until her kids were older and she was able to make a commitment. Karen decided to commit herself to one day per …

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Dr. Josh Johnson

Dr. Josh Johnson

Dr. Josh Johnson’s connection to Home Sweet Home came about when he visited a nonprofit booth at the Chamber of Commerce and spoke with HSHM staff. He had just moved to the area where he started his new chiropractic service so wasn’t able to give financially. Dr. Johnson experienced firsthand how chiropractic services can change a life, so he knew that he could give back by volunteering his services.

Dr. Johnson then came to Home Sweet Home for a tour, and through that discovered the history of HSHM, our services, what we are about and what we do for the …

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Kathy Sauder

Kathy Sauder

Kathy Sauder started volunteering at HSHM in December 2009. She has volunteered in the kitchen at Home Sweet Home and helped with Children’s Study Club. Her main volunteer area is leading clients in a morning Devotion.

Kathy was very involved in volunteering at her church through different children’s ministries. Different members from her church had been on the Board of Directors for Home Sweet Home Ministries and would give reports on Home Sweet Home.

Kathy realized she needed to move out of her comfort zone and be more involved in the community. When her children were little and on spring …

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Be joyful in HOPE, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayerRomans 12:12