Community Outreach Director Nancy Raia leads Volunteer Day!

Written by Nancy Raia

 

As Community Outreach Director I get asked all the time “what are you working on in the Community now? “ and “ How can I help?” so I decided to ask Winky Dowdle, our wonderful volunteer coordinator to invite a group recently to spend a few hours in the studio with me.

Community Outreach

I wanted to teach our volunteers how we are impacting beyond our walls, and show them some of the projects I’m currently working on as part of my Community Outreach. I showed them recent lessons I have taught at the William F. Green’s Veterans Home, how I prepare for a lesson for Shepherd’s Place, how I have taught children with low vision to make a handmade painted Christmas ornament, and even the ongoing painted rocks for encouraging patients fighting cancer.

I shared the need to have in person volunteers occasionally to help work more closely with those with differing abilities, or for a larger community event.

Those in attendance helped me either paint some rocks or begin some prepping of canvasses for the National Charity Leagues project for National Heart Health Month. They primed some canvasses with backgrounds or beginning heart shapes for the NCL volunteers to finish with detail later.

Some offered to come in when I need help assembling, cutting things, varnishing, and just help with overall prepping, saving me time to do more teaching! Others signed up to be invited to meet me on-site at the projects close to their heart. When I work with 20 plus participants at a program, it helps to have several volunteers for those needing more attention or assistance. Some just want to be a part of serving others through art making too, like making bookmarks or small items for shut ins that offer encouragement and kindness.

It was a chance to meet our volunteers, let them see what we can bring to our Community together, and gather a list of those wanting to partner! I got to hear of their backgrounds and strengths so I can use them wisely!

We even had a 4 years old who came with her Dad, little Ella Blue Bolton, who thrived painting and also sang “This Little light of mine!” Walt Bolton was the engineer who designed my at home studio!