Volunteer
Wanted!! Volunteers Needed!
Without volunteers, H.V.C.C. could not provide many of our services. Volunteers are what it means when we say Hockanum Valley helps.
Volunteers provide many hours of service in the Pantry yearly. Pantry food comes from Food Share, food drives, churches, schools, business, and private donations. It is unloaded from delivery trucks, vans and cars by the case, the box and the bag - all by volunteers who then stock shelves or carry it to the basement or attic for storage. Other volunteers pack bags, clean up or assist with paperwork.
H.V.C.C. Elder Service needs its volunteers. Friendly Visitors is just one of the services that we could not do without our volunteers. Friendly Visitors volunteers help to provide much needed social contact, run errands, read to the sight impaired, and help the elderly with personal business. Other volunteers make reassurance phone calls, appointments and do follow-up paperwork. Volunteers of all ages can help seniors to remain independent for as long as possible. They can help to clean, do yard work, paint, rake, weed, provide medical rides, etc.
In the Good Cents Treasures, volunteers unpack bags of donations, hang clothing, wash housewares, tag items, and put them out on the display floor. Over 3,000 hours worth of help is needed annually.
If you want more information on how YOU can join our team and become a volunteer, call our Volunteer Coordinator, Carole, at (860) 872-7727.
Last, but not the least of our volunteers, is the H.V.C.C. Board of Directors. These are the people who oversee the workings of the agency, assuring that it is managed well, money is spent as it should be and that our mission - to help people who need it - remains the target of what we do. They act as support and advocacy for H.V.C.C. This is essential to the well being of the agency and our services.
H.V.C.C. says thank you on behalf of those you have helped so much.
Volunteer Spotlight!
Vicky Butts
Vicky Butts started volunteering in our Pantry in January 2002. She brought her disabled friend in for food one day, and was impressed with all the food that came in while she was here and immediately thought it was the best kept secret in town. She asked if we could use any volunteers, and was told to come back the next day...she's been here 4 days a week ever since! She started out making bags for clients and then was moved to Greeter. She is now the receptionist, checking in clients and making sure they receive the items they need. One of the highlights of her volunteer service at HVCC is that the clients trust her and talk to her about their lives. She loves helping make a difference in people's lives. Vicky feels like we are her 2nd family and says she hasn't met any of us here that she doesn't like! We are honored to be her "family" and love having her here.
Vicky is the oldest of 4 children, and was born in Hartford, CT. She has lived in CT for all of her life except for a brief stay in VT. She is the mother of 5 daughters and 1 son & has 6 granddaughters, 5 grandsons, and 1 great granddaughter, which is the 9th generation 1st born female in her family!
Vicky loves watching the Hartford Hawks & UConn Women's basketball.
Cookie Lee
Cookie Lee has been a volunteer 2 days a week in our Pantry for 5 years. After she retired, she was looking for something to do, and a friend told her about HVCC, so she checked us out and liked what she saw! One thing that stands out to her about HVCC and the Pantry is "everyone is so willing to give to help others".
Cookie was born and raised in Hartford. She retired from the Manchester Board of Education where she was the Cafeteria Manager, moved to Florida for 7 years, and came back home to Connecticut. (She must have missed the crazy winter weather!)
Cookie loves to do counted cross stitch portraits (like the one in the above picture), in her spare time, and likes watching TV comedy shows & listening to "old fashioned music". She has four children, (2 boys and 2 girls), three granddaughters and one grandson.
Cookie helps keep things running smoothly in the Pantry, and we enjoy having her around here!