Leading the way: Project Leaders really do make a difference!

Metro Volunteers has always been focused on finding talented, dedicated individuals eager to give a helping hand where it’s needed the most. We take pride in the fact that Project Leaders’ commitment is making a real difference in the Denver Metro area. In honor of National Volunteer Week, April 18^th-24^th, we would like to recognize the success of these volunteers in serving their community over the years.

Since 2005, we have had the loyal support of more than 15 volunteers who attended Project Coordinator Training and committed to leading volunteer projects in the community. Some of them have moved on, but many remain active in our Project Leader community today. We want to recognize these individuals for the time, effort, loyalty and leadership which has laid the foundation for Project Leadership to support the community.

James Clegg and Wendy Bui (World Vision), Jeff Wilson (Food Share America), Mary Therese Anstey (Animal Rescue and Adoption Society) and Becky Simon (Delores Project) have each given up to 100 hours to help over 10,000 women and families attain affordable food and clothing, and nearly 2,000 animals to find homes.

Shelley Shepherd (House of Hope), Christina Charbonneau (Project Angel Heart), Sydney Bianchi and Kathy Jelinek (Ronald McDonald House), Mary Salsich and Brian Friedrich (Urban Peak), and Karissa Childs (Denver Rescue Mission) have all devoted upwards of 100 hours tending to the needs of adults and children suffering from serious challenges and life threatening illnesses by providing nutritious meals, engaging activities and caring hearts to the clients of their respective organizations. Their efforts have touched over 4,000 in the community.

Sandie Thomas, Michelle Ratcliff and Lindsay Packer have all contributed over 200 hours of volunteer work with demonstrable results. Together with the volunteers they lead, they have assisted countless children and families struggling with serious illness and lack of resources.

Since 2006, Sandie Thomas has been leading volunteers serving hot nutritious meals to the needy. In 2009, she led over 600 volunteers providing over 400 homeless and runaway youth with food at Urban Peak. She now serves as Project Leader for the Ronald McDonald House dinner, providing meals for families of children with serious illnesses and improving their quality of life while they undergo sometimes difficult and lengthy treatment.

Michelle Ratcliff has attended to the needs of numerous children and families at Warren Village, a group focused on aiding struggling single-parent families trying to move from poverty to self sufficiency. Having started with the organization in 2005, Ratcliff has served as a Project Leader for five years and offered a wide variety of projects—from yard sales to Valentine’s Day parties to benefit the children and families’ social, emotional, educational and financial needs.

Food Bank of the Rockies, an organization devoted to alleviating hunger in the Denver area, has been able to aid more than 3,000 people struggling to meet their basic food needs—thanks to Lindsay Packer, their Project Leader since 2008. In addition, his two years (2005-2007) of leadership at Food Share America helped countless families’ access affordable groceries.

Since 2005, all of these outstanding PLs invested more than 2,000 total hours, led 12,100 volunteers and have dramatically improved the lives of more than 21,000 in the Denver Metro area. We are extremely impressed with the impact their efforts have had on the less fortunate as well as their role in helping address critical needs in the community. Metro Volunteers applauds their support, positive attitudes and determination.

Progress continues to be made each and every day by those willing to lead. Our pool of PLs is growing and we welcome anyone looking to better their community. Learn more about Project Leadership by calling us at 303.282.1234 or e-mailing plp@metrovolunteers.org. Remember to keep checking back for announcements, success stories and other important information.

Some Personal Notes from our Project Leaders:

"It is extremely important to me to have the opportunity to make an impact in the lives of the residents at Family Tree House of Hope. Although we have such limited time with the residents, every child's smile or every mother's thank you makes you feel that your commitment as a volunteer is giving the residents an increased sense of pride and knowledge that people in their community care about them. I have been working with House of Hope for almost seven years now and the continued dedication, enthusiasm and excitement of the residents, staff and volunteers is truly inspiring!

-Shelley Shepherd, Family Tree House of Hope Project Leader

“I really enjoy my monthly work with the Metro Volunteers. I have met some amazing people from all walks of life-- groups of returning Peace Corp members, college students, Girl Scouts, families looking for a free and meaningful way to spend time together, and so many more. It is my pleasure to introduce them to the important work Animal Rescue and Adoption Society (ARAS), a no-kill cat shelter in South Denver, does for the 160+ cats and kittens in their care. It is always rewarding to hear the volunteers say, "I didn't know this place even existed, but I will definitely send my friends and family here to adopt a cat."

-Mary Therese Anstey, Animal Rescue and Adoption Society Project Leader

Why do I do what I do?

“My first experience with Metro Volunteers was with the Denver Day of Impact in October 2005. I really enjoyed the experience and thought that if I could find a regular event that worked with my schedule, I would commit to volunteering as often as I could. I looked into SHARE as a volunteering opportunity because it was food related and there seemed to be a lot of need. My older sister Sue was actually homeless at the time, living somewhere in Montana and I thought: "if I can make difference here in my community, maybe someone near my sister will do the same thing and help her." I convinced my daughter to start with me at SHARE that December and we have been regulars ever since. After 4 years helping at SHARE, they lost their second Project Leader. I called the PL after several months of not seeing anything on the Project Calendar. She said she was just too busy to do it anymore and then she asks, "why, do you want to lead the project?" I thought, okay why not! I enjoy it, it's for a good cause and they need my help. Well, for the last year I've been the Project leader and I don't regret a thing. Good people, good cause, and a good time. As far as my sister, I lost her to suicide almost 2 years ago and I still think of her when I'm there.”

-Jeff Wilson, Food Share America Project Leader