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Something Wonderful needs volunteers
The Advocate
The facilitators of MHCC’s Something Wonderful Giving Project need more volunteers to meet their goal of adopting at least 40 families by Nov. 13.
“Rally up your departments, student clubs, family members, and outside organizations and make plans to join in and help these families,” said Rich Duval, Project YESS coordinator and coordinator for Something Wonderful.
The Something Wonderful Giving Project was established in 1994 when a group of MHCC employees helped a family with food and basic needs to get them through the holiday season.
The parents were on strike from their jobs and had a 2-year-old child and a baby on the way. They “didn’t have any hot water to their home, so we rallied together and got them a water heater,” said Duval.
After that, the group of employees established Something Wonderful and continued their efforts to help struggling families in the district during the holiday season.
They have adopted 553 families since 1994, according to Duval. The original project has grown to include a partnership with SnowCap Community Charities, located in Rockwood. SnowCap handles collecting, delivering and screening needy families.
The basic needs Duval refers to are things like household cleaning items, food, winter clothes, toys, and blankets. He said there are many factors/stories that lead families to the point where they are struggling or just less fortunate than others, from job loss to family loss to domestic abuse.
A benefit to being a participant in the giving project is “it’s very satisfying to be able to assist families over a bump in their lives and at times I get to witness those who make the change in their situations and are able to give back to a Something Wonderful family,” said Duval.
Laura Whiting in admissions volunteered last year and said that when she was a child and her family was struggling, The Salvation Army supported their holidays. “People need to know that they’re cared about,” she said.
To those who affected by a harsh economic reality and who think they cannot afford to come out of pocket for the project, Duval said he “encourages those who want to help to go in with a group, a club, department, business, family or social group. This way they can share the wealth and not take on the burden of support.” The project works because of people who contribute not only cash and gifts but also volunteer time and show compassion by helping one or more families less fortunate than they are. “You get way more back than you give,” Whiting said.
The project will be taking volunteers until Nov. 13, and family profiles will be available starting Nov. 20 for individuals to select one or more families to adopt.
Those interested in participating can contact Duval at 503-491-7641.
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