April is National Volunteer Month and the week of April 18th is specifically dedicated to recognizing volunteers. National Volunteer Week originated in Canada in 1943 to recognize the contributions of women on the Home Front during World War II. It gained additional traction in the late 1960s and early 1970s and in 1990, the third week in April week was officially recognized as Volunteer Week.
National Volunteer Week debuted in the United States in 1974 and has continued to grow every year since. In President Richard Nixon’s proclamation declaring National Volunteer Week, he urged all Americans to acknowledge the week by seeking out a volunteer opportunity. He also called upon all communities to “recognize volunteers by observing the week with special ceremonies to honor those who have given countless hours for the betterment of our communities and the American way of life.”
Since then, individuals, offices, schools, and teams volunteer their time during this week to contribute to and improve their communities. Volunteers have been a vital part of Noble Horizons since its founding in 1972 and their positive impact on our community is incalculable.
How can you Celebrate National Volunteer Week/Month?
COVID has changed the way people volunteer, however there are still plenty of ways to volunteer safely and make a difference:
- Using Amazon Smile – it’s easy and free! Instead of entering Amazon.com as you usually would, enter through smile.amazon.com and Amazon will make a donation to the organization of your choice – they have you designate one upon first entry (local or national) when you make purchases. You don’t need a new account; you can use the one you already have.
- Join a community that needs your help. Volunteering is limited right now, but opportunities are picking back up. Find a local non-profit, whether it a senior living community, church, shelter, or food bank and volunteer you time. It can be as simple as collecting canned goods to handing out flyers to reading to children. It all makes a difference.
- Love pets? – you’ve got options. When it comes to volunteering with pets, you can donate time or money to a local ASPCA chapter, walk dogs or clean out cages at a local shelter, host a pet food drive, or even foster a dog in need of a temporary place to stay.
- Donate blood. This is one of easiest yet most needed forms of volunteering. All blood types are needed and if you have a rare one, your donation can literally save lives. The Red Cross also helps those suffering from disasters and emergencies and is always seeking volunteers.
We love our volunteers at Noble Horizons and we are proud to share their stories, accomplishments, and good deeds. Please enjoy Noble’s Volunteer Spotlight!
Caroline Moller: Volunteering Adds Up
Caroline Moller has been donating her time and infectious cheer to Noble Horizons for nearly two decades and her contributions have added up! Whether reading to residents, taking them to events on campus, or working in the library, she explains, “I love to help.” Read more about Caroline’s story.
Volunteer Rosemary Farnsworth: Entering the World of Others
Former educator Rosemary Farnsworth does her research. Back in 2001, she and her husband, George were considering a move to a cottage at Noble Horizons. To become more familiar with the Noble community they began volunteering on campus every Sunday. Read more about Rosemary’s story.
Six Degrees of Noble Volunteer Lib Grannan
By combining her passion for people and volunteering, Lib Grannan has created joy for generations of people up down the east coast! Fortunately for Noble Horizons, she settled into our community five years ago and has been forging friendships and connections ever since. Read more about Lib’s story.
Volunteer Mary Barton: Dedicated to Noble Residents
“I know every nook and cranny at Noble Horizons,” pronounces long-time volunteer Mary Barton, “I was one of the first volunteers at Noble and helped organize their first Christmas Fair.” Since then, Mary has had a hand in virtually every volunteer program at Noble, bringing energy, leadership, and a good dose of humor to every corner of the Noble community. Read more about Mary’s story.
Volunteer Kathy Mera: A Catalog of Good Works
For 24 years Kathy Mera served as the librarian at Housatonic Valley Regional High School. During that time she connected the school community with resources and helped them find answers to their questions. This approach informs her volunteer work to this day. Read more about Kathy’s story.
Volunteer Keith Moon: Raising People Up
Keith Moon is a rock star on the Noble Horizons campus, consistently wowing his fans with his knowledge of Russian literature and history. For the past eight years, he’s been teaching in the Noble community, welcoming adult students from throughout the tri-state. Keith selects a new book each spring, facilitating lively discussions about literary works such as Anna Karenina and Crime and Punishment as well as historical books, including Lenin’s Tomb and a biography of Mikhail Gorbachev. Read more about Keith’s story.
Volunteer Mary Ellen Baldwin: It’s All About Family
As a mother of five, Mary Ellen Baldwin knows what it takes to build a strong family, and for close to 45 years, her compassion, kindness, and motherly love have nurtured the Noble Horizons family. Mary Ellen first joined the Noble in 1977 and fortunately for the many whose lives she continues to touch, her deep commitment to others endures. Read more about Mary Ellen’s story.
Volunteer Russ Day: Sparking Connections–and Joy
Retired IBM electrical engineer Russ Day knows a few things about making connections. For 35 years he figured out how to channel energy where it needed to go to make things work. Today, after a full career and raising his five sons with his wife Michele, he’s the conduit for adding a spark of joy for residents at Noble Horizons. Read more about Russ’s story.
Volunteer Fran Chapell: You Can’t Do it Alone
As executive director of Canaan Childcare Center Fran Chapell has worked hard to create a caring and stimulating atmosphere for those at the beginning of life’s arc. She hires the best people she can find, helps them develop as professionals, sets standards for the center’s functioning, sees her organization as part of a larger connected community, and promotes a high standard of care so that families can go to work knowing their child is well cared for. Read more about Fran’s story.
Volunteer Nina Mathus: Gratitude is the Attitude
Nina Mathus has been part of the Noble Horizons volunteer community since the early 1980s when her mother came to live here. Back then, Nina worked a high-powered job in New York City and spent weekends in Salisbury at her husband’s family’s cottage on Twin Lakes. In the 1990s, her aunt came to reside at Noble as well. Read more about Nina’s story.
Interested in volunteering at Noble Horizons? Give us a call!