 | VOLUNCHEERS ARE THE BEST ELVES EVER! Recently artCentral hosted the Chamber of Commerce’s early Morning Coffee sponsored by the MSSU Alumni Association. I stood at the front door greeting guests with Mary Jo Little of the Chamber and Lee Pound, MSSU Director of Alumni Relations. When there was a pause in the guest arrivals, Mary Jo, Lee and I chatted about the extraordinary volunteer support that turned artCentral’s Holiday Boutique dream into an amazing, successful reality. |
| As we good humoredly riffed on possible spins for the word “volunteer”, we came up with these variations: Volun-teer—A helper who reliably shows up, sometimes from a feeling of “I should”. Volun-told—A helper (perhaps a husband) who dutifully does a job, having been so ordered. Volun-cheer—A helper who happily pitches in and lends needed assistance from a place of really wanting to contribute. “Voluncheers” are the Best Elves Ever! I feel I can speak with authority, since Hyde House has been filled with Voluncheer Power all through this year, especially in this festive season. |  |
For instance, after the Chamber’s last guest had left, lingering in the kitchen was Chamber President Mark Eallif, standing at the sink. With sleeves rolled up and requested tools in hand, he diagnosed the faucet’s problem and offered a simple remedy for the aggravating minimal water output which has been testing the patience of Voluncheers washing up after events. Mark is definitely a Voluncheer. Thank you Mark for helping.
I’m grateful for all voluncheer guy power! Thanks to Board Treasurer, Pat Goff, who cheerfully, with the assistance of Terry Beetem, distributed and collected Boutique banners, repaired our falling-off vintage refrigerator handle and transformed our porch lights into sparkling beacons of greeting. Thank you to the two of you!
And thanks to Voluncheer Board Members Jackie Boyer and Jane Van Den Berg, who gave so generously to the greening and prepping of Hyde House. For over a week, contributing from their own decorations and gathering more as needed, Jackie and Jane spent many, many outside hours elegantly dressing and festooning Hyde House with evergreen wreaths and swags with twinkling lights. Inside they decorated the Christmas tree then set up the tables and displays for the artist-created gift items.
Once the Boutique opened, a fabulous cadre of Voluncheers made magic greeting and assisting guests, gift wrapping, checking out purchases and staying late to tabulate sales. Grateful Thank Yous go out to these Voluncheer elves. I’ll acknowledge you by name next week when I tell about the terrific success of our Holiday Boutique Fundraisers—Delectables, Amaryllis and hand-painted Ornaments.
Until then…Dear Readers, with good cheer I wish for you, “Sweet, Serene and Happy Holy Days as we rejoice in this glorious Season of Love and Light!”
I’m grateful for all voluncheer guy power! Thanks to Board Treasurer, Pat Goff, who cheerfully, with the assistance of Terry Beetem, distributed and collected Boutique banners, repaired our falling-off vintage refrigerator handle and transformed our porch lights into sparkling beacons of greeting. Thank you to the two of you!
And thanks to Voluncheer Board Members Jackie Boyer and Jane Van Den Berg, who gave so generously to the greening and prepping of Hyde House. For over a week, contributing from their own decorations and gathering more as needed, Jackie and Jane spent many, many outside hours elegantly dressing and festooning Hyde House with evergreen wreaths and swags with twinkling lights. Inside they decorated the Christmas tree then set up the tables and displays for the artist-created gift items.
Once the Boutique opened, a fabulous cadre of Voluncheers made magic greeting and assisting guests, gift wrapping, checking out purchases and staying late to tabulate sales. Grateful Thank Yous go out to these Voluncheer elves. I’ll acknowledge you by name next week when I tell about the terrific success of our Holiday Boutique Fundraisers—Delectables, Amaryllis and hand-painted Ornaments.
Until then…Dear Readers, with good cheer I wish for you, “Sweet, Serene and Happy Holy Days as we rejoice in this glorious Season of Love and Light!”
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