Weekly Volunteers

Ask any non-profit agency who keeps them going, and you'll get

the same answer: VOLUNTEERS!

At the Franciscan Connection, we are no different.

We rely heavily on the generosity of others to keep us running.

Several dedicated retirees have helped us every week --

both in the office and out in the field --

by answering phones, working on the computer, greeting clients

and getting their basic information,

or by helping us tackle a myriad of minor home repair projects.

Their help enables us to assist many more people, and for that we are truly grateful.

So take a look at these noble men and women that keep us in business . . .

Sherry Stevenson, SFO Bright and early, every Monday morning, our clients will be welcomed by the cheery smile of SHERRY STEVENSON.  She is also a member of theSecular Franciscan Order and has had a long-time love of Saints Francis & Clare.  A retired teacher, Sherry still keeps active in a variety of activities at her home parish of St. Francis of Assisi in Oakville, as well as in the South County Kiwanis.

Tuesdays are a busy volunteer day for us at the Connection because we get two volunteers that day. The first is MARY JANE KUBIK, whom you'll often find at our front desk. Mary Jane responded to an announcement made at her parish, St.Wenceslaus over ten years ago and has been volunteering for us ever since. Besides answering phones and greeting clients, Mary Jane also completes the bank balance and keeps the books for the Connection. She learned her skills at Famous Barr, where she worked in an office completing the budget and performing other management duties. She keeps volunteering to help other people, and because "it gives me something to do," she says with a laugh.

If you stop by the office on Tuesday afternoon, you'll be sure to catch our second volunteer of the day. NELDA DEVINE began volunteering 10 years ago, after Co-Founder Fr. Tom Shaughnessy invited her to join the team in 1991. She often completed home visits with Fr. Tom, going to clients' houses to meet with the families and deliver shoes. Most Tuesday afternoons you'll find her sitting at the computer, entering client histories and updates. She also handles client intakes, answers the phone (and keeps an eye on the friars so they don't make any mistakes!) She loves working at the Connection because of the interaction she is able to have with the clients and their families. Playing with children and talking with their parents is what motivates her to stay. A parishioner of St. Bernadette's, Nelda also keeps busy volunteering for the local Meals-on-Wheels program.

 

MARTY GRADE has been pitching in on our weekly handyman projects for several years now.  Retired from Emerson Electronics & Space and from Accent Manufacturing, he now enjoys helping our senior citizens and other families in need of basic home maintenance and emergency repairs.  He can be found crawling through dusty attics or under kitchen sinks to remedy problems.  Marty is a member of St. Anselm's parish in the Creve Couer area.

 

Similarly, WALLY FELDrecently retired from the Corps of Civil Engineers.  Wanting to keep busy and lend a hand, he began coming out to the Franciscan Connection once a week to help Bro. Donald tackle a variety of home repair projects -- from sidewalk patches to replacing a roof (opossum not included).  Though he is currently a parishioner at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Oakville, Wally grew up right here in the neighborhood and is still very active at St. Francis deSales Church here in South St. Louis.

PAUL LOHMULLER joined us in July of 2007 and has been a helpful and positive addition to our organization. Paul is a carpenter by trade but comes along for all sorts of different repairs. His experience and expertise has helped us to tackle projects quickly and efficiently that have been on our list for years. Some major projects he has helped us with were a large 2nd-story porch reconstruction and replacing a dormer on a house roof. He also is involved in our bi-monthly Contractor's meetings where several persons come together to discuss large jobs at hand that need more resources and find other ways to support the Franciscan Connection. Paul's sons, Joseph and David have also helped us on a few projects in the past. Paul is a great person to have on our team, and we hope he sticks around for a few years!

THE E-TEAM Tom Zimmerman, James Burnett, John Millham, Joe Bertels, Gilbert Ballman, and Frank Weiler Over the past few years, electrician Tom Zimmerman and his buddies have rewired basements, secured circuit breaker panels, run new circuits, and helped make a number of homes safer for our families.  They have a great team spirit and have always been willing to lend a hand for a family in need.

 

Interested in pitching in???

Give us a call and see where your skills can be put to good use!

Or use our new online volunteer application.

We'd be glad to have you!