And that’s a wrap on another successful Volunteer Appreciation Week! This week brought us fun entertainment, great activities, and a host of dedicated volunteers, all ready to serve the community – superhero-style!
GRACE values the service of each and every volunteer who steps foot on a GRACE site. From sorting clothes at the GRACE Donation Station to serving at GRACE events, GRACE Volunteers go above and beyond to make sure that the community is in good hands!
This year’s Volunteer Appreciation Week theme was superheroes because we know that GRACE volunteers are always there to save the day. Many GRACE sites prepared festive parties for their volunteers throughout the week to celebrate their dedication to GRACE.
The week concluded with the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon, held at Whites Chapel Methodist Church and catered by WiseGuys Pizzeria and HTeaO. Hosted by Wonder Woman and Captain America, (GRACE CEO Shonda Schaefer and GRACE’s Volunteer Manager, Ryan Jackson) the event highlighted the many accomplishments and achievements over the past year from volunteers.
17 awards were given out to outstanding volunteers and groups alike who have shown heroism here at GRACE over the past year. We also named our very first Jake Williamson Youth Volunteer of the Year Award recipient. This award being named after the late Jake Williamson, son of GRACE’s Director of Finance, Teresa Williamson, who was an avid volunteer for GRACE and the community.
Below are the winners of this year’s Volunteer Appreciation awards!
Food Pantry – Kregg Bodily
Emergency Assistance – Judy Hund
Donation Station – Colleen Fagan
GRACEful Buys Grapevine – Tim Blankenship
GRACEful Buys Euless – Cheryl Bird
Community Clinic – Arjun Mehendale
Friends & Family – Julie Albrecht
Board Member – Traci Bernard
Transitional Housing – Tammy O’Neil
Development – Kay Allen
Special Events – Jacquelyn Phillips
Seasonal Programs – Patty Harrison
Community Gardens – Debbie Loots
Volunteer Group – Grapevine Boys Basketball
Volunteer of the Year – Sheila & Jason Ridley
“Jake Williamson” Youth Volunteer of the Year – Rafaella Roa
Clothing Room – Sharon Fulton
“GRACE Volunteers are the heroes of our community,” said Volunteer Manager, Ryan Jackson. “Whenever we need their help, they are right there ready to save the day!”
A big thank you goes out to White’s Chapel for hosting this amazing event for GRACE. Thank you to WiseGuys Pizzeria for catering the delicious food, HTeaO for drinks, and finally a very special thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers for always serving at GRACE. Your dedicated passion for serving the community means so much to us!
For more information on volunteering for GRACE, please contact Ryan at Volunteer@GRACEGrapevine.org. HAPPY NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH!
