The Friends for Life charity is honoring their many volunteers who have given the time and resources throughout the years.
Friends for Life provides services to the elderly and people with disabilities. For the past 30 years and in over 80 counties in Texas, they rely on the hard work of their staff across the state.
“We depend on our volunteers, and they never let us down,” said Inez Russell, Executive Director.
The volunteers have provided companionship, home repairs, deliver meals and gifts and much more.
The charity has over 1,000 volunteers and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Individual and group volunteers are always welcome. Even though they have a great number of people who want to help they are always looking for more.
“We are always looking for more volunteers,” said Easton Preston, Friends for Life Quality of Life Coordinator. “We can use whatever skills a volunteer has. Groups who would like to take on a project are always welcome because we have seniors who need home repairs or yard clean-up projects. We match a volunteer’s skills to a need at Friends for Life.”
Cathy Sammons first started volunteering in 1996. She helped with the first ever gift for grannies program. Wrapping and delivering gifts to the elderly who might not get a gift for the holidays.
"I think we put out a couple hundred packages that year, since then we put out a bunch more." Sammons said.
Many of the volunteers come back each year, Frank Alexander has also volunteered for over two decades. It started when his friend asked him to help cook during the Thanksgiving meal. Alexander started and said he just couldn't stop.
None of these events would be possible, without the volunteers like Sammons and Alexander.
"We all need to give back. We've all been very blessed in this country and we've got a lot to be thankful for and we need to help those that need help." Alexander said.
Inez Russel the Executive Director of Friends for Life is overjoyed by the many volunteers.
"It made such a difference in their own life, to be able to do something special for somebody else." Russell said.
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