Editorial: Volunteers' Nimble Fingers, Big Hearts Inspire

The following testimonial was submitted by Sarah Keefe,
Community Outreach/Education/Development Coordinator,
Domestic Violence Resource Center

I've been behind schedule with feeling this whole 'holiday spirit' thing. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and it's already December. But as of last night (December 2nd) I am filled with gratitude. No, not from Thanksgiving leftovers. Thankfulness at the amazing people who came out and volunteered on Tuesday night, despite busy schedules and lives. People who before now were perfect strangers, but took the time to make a profound connection.

On a given weekday, I come home from work and have time to clean a little, cook a little, talk a little with my family, and then get ready for work the next day. That's how most days are, right? It's hard to find the time to fit what we have to do in our day, let alone what we want to do.

Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 PM the Domestic Violence Resource Center had a volunteer event at a local coffee house (Insomnia Coffee) to stuff envelopes for our holiday fundraising mailing campaign. Not only did people sign up for this tedious task, they brought their friends and significant others. I was expecting four people-- eight came. They all stayed until their task was done, not at 7:30, but 8 PM. No one budged until all the letters were folded and in their respective envelopes.

The woman who had been up since 3:30 am opening her store, and yet was volunteering until 8 o'clock at night.

The man who was working, as well as studying for his P.h.D., and still found the time to volunteer.

The couple who were the first ones to sign up, the first there tonight to help me set up, and were the last ones to leave, helping me to pack everything up in my car.

Eight people, who'd never volunteered for us before, came out on a dark December night to do one of the dreariest and thankless tasks a non-profit undertakes: stuffing envelopes. There's no glitz or glory in papercuts or toner-tinted fingers. And yet they came.

What a powerful difference they made. Not only in filling boxes with stuffed envelopes, and not only in helping us raise money to support survivors. I think what is most powerful is the spiritual difference they made in inspiring me-- and I hope all of you reading this, too. It was powerful because these people made the time when there was truly nothing to be gained, not even the benefit of working with or beside the people they were helping. I am full of awe at the strength of generosity in the human spirit. People passionate about making a difference-- so much so they'd drive in rush hour from the southeast side of Portland all the way to Hillsboro to peel stamps and stick them on 1300 envelopes. Right now I'm too busy feeling moved to do the dishes (so I sit here at home and write this, instead), just as they were.

I may be slow at feeling the gratitude that Thanksgiving is supposed to be about, but I'm on time for feeling hopeful: that with people such as these in my community, there can truly be peace on earth and goodwill towards men.