Health & Fitness
Helping to Feed Our Community 4
In 2010, 62.8 million adults volunteered almost 8.1 billion hours in local and national organizations, valued at almost $173 billion.
The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.
~ Oscar Wilde
According to U.S. government statistics, 62.8 million adults volunteered almost 8.1 billion hours in local and national organizations in 2010, service valued at almost $173 billion. Volunteerism is alive and well and the number of volunteers is increasing each year.
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Laura, Erin and Phyllis are just three of our recent volunteers on Saturday mornings at the Patchogue Neighbors INN. Each holds a full-time job and like most of us, deals with many family and social responsibilities. Yet Laura, Erin and Phyllis find time in their busy schedules to devote a few hours each week to helping others. They are part of a larger community of volunteers that help prepare and serve hundreds of meals each week at our four different locations.
Our volunteers come from many backgrounds. Some are retired, but many are still in the workforce. Some are mothers and fathers while others are also grandparents. Our youngest volunteers like Jake, make the sandwiches and then assemble the bagged lunches that we give to our guests on Saturday mornings. Jake and his mom arrive early with the sandwiches, and then place one in each bag along with a snack and drink.
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Some like Sharon and Jose volunteer every other week. Others volunteer behind the scenes, helping with things like fundraising or public relations. What many volunteers have commented on is how it doesn’t take much effort to make a huge difference in the lives of others.
Patchogue Neighbors INN currently serves four meals each week at the following locations:
* Monday dinner at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 31 Rider Avenue
* Wednesday dinner at the Congregational Church, 95 East Main Street
* Saturday breakfast at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church, Division St.
* Sunday dinner at Emanuel Lutheran Church 179 East Main Street.
If you would like to volunteer your time at any of our locations, please email Louise Ramsey at laramseyslp@yahoo.com or call 631-834-2938. If you or your organization would like to donate money or services please email Wayne Ramsey at wtramsey2001@yahoo.com or call 631-379-0345.
