Some run into the fire, some help bring a smile to a young child's face while others look to lend a hand wherever they can but they all have a common thread they share. Everyday, people across the community, the state and the country volunteer their time in an effort to give back.
Whether someone wants to work with children, senior citizens or put their work skills to use for a good cause, there is a volunteer program in the Lowcountry for them. Below is a small example of the many programs available, many which are always looking for volunteers.
'Tis the season of giving and what better way to give than volunteer your time.
Volunteer Firefighter
Firefighters gather around in a large parking lot waiting for an Omni Flight Charleston helicopter to land during training exercises. Fire trucks surround a makeshift landing zone and firefighters on the ground guide the pilots in for a landing, helping them to avoid obstacles. For volunteers with the Pine Ridge Fire Department, this was an exercise tonight but a real situation they had to be prepared for when they are called upon.
Almost 40 volunteer fire departments operate within Dorchester and Berkeley counties and these departments are staffed by volunteers consisting of off-duty firefighters and everyday citizens wanting to give back. Volunteers Randall Gregory and Justin Pratt, for example, are enlisted Air Force but they volunteer as a way to give back to the community in which they live.
Deputy Chief Jeff Thompson said the area fire stations are always in need of volunteers. About 80 percent of his volunteers are off-duty firefighters and many are called back to duty during emergencies leaving the area volunteer departments empty. Not only firefighters are needed, the station is always looking for mechanics, plumbers and anyone with a trade willing to donate their time to help keep the station running.
Many rural residents depend on the volunteer firefighters who dedicate their time to protect the community. Pine Ridge volunteer fireman Robert Howlett said it best, "I love helping people... being my best at somebody's worst."
Exceptional Rider Program
Horses have a dramatic effect on children, especially special needs children. Kelly Herrick, director of the Exceptional Rider Program at Enchanted Acres Equestrian Center, saw the transformation long ago when her own children were introduced to horses. A horse can connect with a child on a different level than humans she said.
Herrick said the program uses a lot of volunteers because it takes at least three people to work with a special needs child on a horse -- one to guide and two to balance and support the child on the horse. There are other jobs to be done as well, including working with the horses and in the barn, which can be very time consuming.
Jewel Hendrix, barn manager, volunteers for her position in addition to a full-time job. She sees the benefits in volunteering, especially in her own son who didn't talk much but benefited greatly from a similar program. "Horses bring out whole different side of kids," she said.
Herrick said it is not all work at the barn and all it takes is a love of horses, kids and helping making a difference.
To volunteer, contact Kelly Herrick, director, Enchanted Acres Exceptional Rider Program, at (843) 224-7773 or EnchantedAcresHorses@yahoo.com.
Fields to Families
Geoffrey Cormier labels himself as a bit of a naturalist and loves the time he spends outside picking vegetables. "It's beautiful out here, just quiet and peaceful," he says while picking green beans at Rosebank Farm on John's Island.
Every Saturday, he and other volunteers arrive in the morning and picks vegetables until early afternoon for the Field to Families program. Farms with an overabundance of vegetables allow volunteers to come out and pick a variety of crops and box them up before sending them to an area church that will distribute the food to families in need.
The program was started in 2006 by director Jacki Baer and her husband, is comprised of volunteers who glean vegetables that serve approximately 20 organizations. Fields to Families will have distributed a total of over 200,000 pounds of fresh vegetables providing over 160,000 meals to the needy in the Lowcountry according to Baer.
'I'm amazed at the generosity of farmers and people involved with this," said volunteer Amelia Scott, "Best most can hope for is canned veggies; it's nice to be able to offer farm fresh produce."
Soon Fields to Families will expand as it starts plowing fields for spring planting on acquired land in Moncks Corner.
Faith Sellers Center
Four days a week for the past five years Bill Homiack has volunteered for the Faith Sellers Center delivering food to area seniors. Waiting for the food to be prepared, he says he was just looking for something to keep him busy. He soon realized the difference he makes delivering the food.
"They live by themselves, sometimes I think we are the only people they see all day long," he said.
Lennet Lebron spent 47 years in the garment industry and now volunteers her time putting her talents to good use raising money for the center. She makes crafts to be sold for the senior center and hosts a craft circle once a month.
Lebron, Homiack and others who volunteer say they enjoy working with the seniors, that it brings joy to their day.
Volunteers are vital to the running of the center, "We couldn't run the center without volunteers," Grace Suter, volunteer coordinator said.
After spending some time with the many volunteers I met, they all had one common goal -- giving back. There are many organizations that are in need of volunteers who want to give back to the community as well.
During a time when pockets are thin but intentions are good, a helping hand could be the best present of all.
Paul Zoeller is a freelance photographer new to the area. Do you have an idea for a new blog or a question about a current blog? If you do contact Zoeller at paul.zoeller@mac.com.
