It’s National Volunteer Appreciation Week! And nobody has more to celebrate than us in HomeFront. After all, it is beyond dispute that we are blessed with the best volunteers in the world. It’s always fitting that this week falls right before our Spring HomeFront Day. And, while our volunteers are busy preparing, we could not think of a better way to observe this time of year than to honor a volunteer who truly goes above and beyond.
Introducing HomeFront’s 2024 Volunteer Keystone Awardee: Doris McDermott
Doris beside one of St. Edward the Confessor’s many happy beneficiaries.
Keystone (noun):a central stone at the summit of an arch, locking the whole together
Anyone who has had the joy of meeting Doris will never forget it. Her heart is as big as the world. Doris has been leading volunteer groups with HomeFront for 25 years! We are pretty sure she had to sign a Young Adult Waiver when she started with us. Pandemics have happened, 9/11, the Great Recession, and Doris has been there for families in need through it all. Regardless of how life has a way of happening, Doris has consistently led the charge each year greeting every family in need with her positive energy and beaming smile. As you may know, an average HomeFront volunteer group is about 20–25 volunteers. Our Doris has co-led a group that has numbered more than 100 volunteers at a time. It is not unusual for them to devote more than one-day’s work. And, Doris has always been there to lead by example. We have it on good authority that many volunteers keep coming back because of the amazing job that Doris and her co-leaders do to keep it well organized, fun and rewarding. You might think this is plenty, but Doris has also helped us year-round — whether it is helping us find homes in need, conducting home evaluation visits or organizing our warehouse.
Just another HomeFront Day for Doris and St. Edward the Confessor Parish
Doris will say that her work with us has been made possible by so many others. And, it is true that she belongs to a particularly service-minded parish: St. Edward the Confessor in New Fairfield. She will credit her co-leaders, and there is no question that she has worked with extraordinary co-leaders over the years. But, presenting this award gave us an excuse to learn a little more about what makes her tick!
HF: How did you get involved in volunteering?
Doris: I have always loved volunteering and giving back to others, which I believe I learned from my parents. So, it wasn’t difficult for me to step up to be the Volunteer Coordinator when HomeFront was first presented at my church, St. Edward the Confessor Parish, in 1999.
HF: What is it that has kept you so involved over the years?
Doris: I love working with HomeFront because I get to help people who may have fallen on hard times or things at their homes may have gotten away from them. They often feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin. Working with the people from my parish and seeing a large group get together for a day (often several days) to transform a home is so gratifying. The volunteers are so grateful for the opportunity to help someone and to make their lives a little bit easier. It is a joyful experience to see people working together for the common good of another.
Doris and one of her co-leaders, Deb Blum
Doris and one of her co-leaders, Mark Simms
HF: Are there any projects that stand out for you the most?
Doris: Over the last 24 years there have been many wonderful homeowners who we have helped that have touch my heart. There was Thomas, the grandfather in Bethel that was raising his two young granddaughters after the sudden death of his daughter. When the St. Edward’s team heard about the granddaughters, they pitched in and bought a swing set for the girls and assembled it that day. The delight and pure joy of the little girls’ faces when they saw that gift was priceless! Last year’s resident was so grateful to get the electricity fixed in his kitchen and gas installed for his appliances: he was overwhelmed. He hadn’t been able to use his stove in over 10 years. He couldn’t say thank you enough to every single person who helped at his home. He still sends me thank you texts.
HF: How have you found the time to volunteer with us?
Doris: I think often people believe they are so busy they can’t possibly fit another thing into their busy lives. This is often very true but when you begin volunteering, it seems that you will be able to make it work. Setting aside a few hours will make the world of difference to a needy homeowner and to you. People may also think, I can&rsqu;t possibly lead a group of volunteers to fix someone’s house, I don’t have the skills. HomeFront makes this job very easy. They give you all the tools that you need and will help to get your team up and running in any way they can.
HF: What would you say to someone thinking about volunteering with HomeFront?
Doris: If you’re thinking of volunteering with HomeFront, I suggest to start out with a small manageable project. I also found that people want to help others, they just don’t always know where to begin. I have found that asking people personally helps a lot. Not everyone knows how to install gutters, or fix a roof, or install a door and that’s okay. There are jobs for everyone; from painting a wall in a room or the side of a house, cleaning a yard, washing windows, bringing materials to someone or organizing the food for the day — all jobs are important; and making each and every person feel needed and valued is crucial.
HF: Anything else you would like to say?
Doris: For me, it’s all about God! He provides me with the direction, support and guidance I need. There have been times that I didn’t know how we would get all the work done that we said we would do — but it always seems to get done! Or I may not know how we were going to get a roof fixed for a couple. Then out of seemingly nowhere, a volunteer steps forward and says, “I can help with that!” So, I have learned to put it in His hands — He will make it happen if you just say, “Yes, I’m here to help.”
We simply cannot thank Doris and all of our volunteers enough. With so many years of giving back, we can’t help but think of the many fellow volunteers whose inner benevolence was sparked by Doris, especially the many youth who have helped out on St. Edward’s projects. Many of them are the volunteer leaders of tomorrow.
Volunteers like Doris truly inspire us to take our mission to places even we did not know it could go. There would be no HomeFront without you, and so many of our neighbors are counting on us.
We know that so many of our readers are already active volunteers, but, if you are wondering how you can incorporate some of the joys of volunteering more into your life, your search, we may just have an idea or two.
Looking for a Community Group Activity Like No Other
Tens of thousands of volunteers who have worked with HomeFront over our 37 years can’t be wrong. Learn more here or contact HomeFront’s Lou Valenti at valenti@homefrontprogram.org for more information on forming a volunteer team. Our volunteer team projects are lined up for the month of May, but we would be glad to discuss group volunteer opportunities over the summer as well as our Fall HomeFront Day: Saturday, Sept. 21st.
“Feel Good” Volunteer Opportunities Year-Round
HomeFront offers something for every type of skill or interest, in every town and for as little or as much time as you wish around your schedule, year-round.
Right now, we are seeking skilled volunteers to help with our year-round Critical Pro Repair (CPR) service, where we tackle targeted repairs for families in need. It can be one half of a day or a few hours. You can contact Lou Valenti for more information at Lvalenti@homefrontprogram.org
One of the most rewarding ways to make a difference is to join our network of volunteer home visitors to help us evaluate the homes most in need. You can contact Sean O’Brien for more information on this role: Sobrien@homefrontprogram.org.
We All Need a Vehicle
Simply put, HomeFront is a vehicle for the better angels within each of us. And, yes, in our case, the vehicle is probably a pickup truck. We are gearing up to fix up 70 homes for the rest of 2024 — 20 of them this Spring alone. Inflation has made it tougher to put the tools and materials into our volunteers’ hands. As always, we thank you for considering a donation of any amount so that HomeFront can continue to be a vehicle for the acts of kindness within each of us. Happy Volunteer Week from the homes we help to yours!
