Columbus House Kicks Off Volunteer Appreciation Week with Annual Luncheon

April 9, 2016

Alison Cunningham, Executive Director, and staff, welcomed Columbus House volunteers to the 7th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on Saturday, April 9th, at our emergency shelter in New Haven. Over 100 people gathered to celebrate the kick-off of National Volunteer Week. Guests, all volunteers at Columbus House, enjoyed a lovely luncheon prepared by Camille Franchi, Food Services Manager, and her staff. Musical Intervention of New Haven, whose seeks to help those facing obstacles such as homelessness through the power of music, provided an inspirational musical performance. Abigail Schneider, Yale student and co-editor of Elm City Echo, read stories written by Columbus House clients that were published in the most recent issue of the Echo — a periodical featuring content and sold by people in New Haven who are experiencing poverty and homelessness. Guests were provided tours of the shelter.

The time and talent of volunteers is crucial to sustaining our work to end homelessness. Whether it is cooking and serving a meal, helping with property maintenance, lending a hand at special events — and much, much more — Columbus House clients benefit from 12,000 hours of hard work by over 1,000 volunteers each year. Just last year over 40,000 meals were served to Columbus House clients by volunteers.

Columbus House clients wrote messages of gratitude to share with the volunteers. One client expressed, “I want you to know that I am very thankful for all of the things you do for us! Not everyone would do what you all do and it’s good to know that you people care.”

Columbus House is celebrating National Volunteer Month throughout the month of April. Learn more facts about volunteers by following us on Facebook and Twitter. #ColumbusHouseVolunteerBuzz

View photos from our 7th Annual Volunteer Luncheon on Facebook!

To learn more about volunteering at Columbus House click here.