Volunteer Appreciation Week

Our Red Apron Volunteers and Tutors are not just the heart of Bluffton Self Help—they’re the legs that help carry groceries out to the car, the arms sorting and organizing clothing, the smile welcoming our neighbors, the voice educating adult students and the ears listening to those going through a difficult time – they are intrinsic to our mission. They are Bluffton Self Help. They are what we stand for, why our neighbors feel welcomed, and how we are able to work hard every day to create communities for all. Simply put, we could not achieve our mission without them.

Volunteer Appreciation Month is a chance to pause, recognize this service, and sincerely thank all the people who donate their time to this organization. So. Much. Time. In 2022, our volunteers provided more than 18,000 hours of their time to help stock shelves, bag groceries, sort clothing, mentor and support neighbors, tutor and teach literacy, GED, and citizenship classes, take on special projects and even take out the trash —and they did it all with a smile on their face, providing a dignified and welcoming space for neighbors to come when they need it most.

We did the math, and that is equal to nearly nine full-time employees. Beyond the thousands of little things they do to keep BSH running, they also hold food drives, fundraise, spread awareness, advocate for our mission, and help neighbors reach their goals. They are our hardest workers and our biggest cheerleaders.

This year, they are on track to do even more. In the first three months alone, our volunteers have already worked over 5,600 hours. These generous and dedicated neighbors not only show up week after week, but they also show up year after year —51 volunteers have been with us for five or more years. For that, we feel incredibly lucky and want to give those volunteers special recognition.