Diane K., former FROM Volunteer Coordinator, shares her experience coming to FROM and why she continues to stay involved.

My husband and I have lived in Lowell for almost 30 years.  We have one son who is married and they also live in Lowell with their 3.5 year-old twin daughters.  My first priority is my family.  My husband and I are blessed to babysit our twin granddaughters during the work week and we are so happy to be such a big part of their lives.

I originally heard about FROM through the church my family and I attended.  In 2000, joined the FROM Board and was our church representative.  I remained on the FROM Board until I was hired as the Volunteer Coordinator in 2013.  While I was on the Board, I also began volunteering in the thrift shop, now called Treasures Thrift Store. I wanted to learn more about FROM and to be part of the day-to-day business.

I was hired as the first Volunteer Coordinator in 2013 and performed that job for 7 years.  During that time, I also became the FROM maintenance coordinator and had many other miscellaneous duties.  Each year, I helped organize and make gifts for the annual Volunteer Appreciation events.

When I retired in 2020, I just assumed I would continue by volunteering again.  But then COVID-19 hit.  I decided to stay at home and only be around my family for health purposes.  COVID-19 turned out to be a very long time of seclusion.  I really had to push myself to come back.  I knew that staff had changed, there were many new volunteers, and many other changes.  Change is not easy, but FROM’s mission and purpose has not changed. FROM continues to assist our greater Lowell community. FROM is still helping our neighbors in need and still has compassion for those in the community that are struggling.

As of today, I volunteer in Treasures Thrift Store sorting and pricing coats, winter wear, activewear and men’s suits.  I also help where needed if I have extra time.

I would encourage anyone who would like to know more about FROM and their programs or volunteer opportunities to visit their website: www.fromlowell.org .

 

 

A FROM Church Involvement Story

Meet Forest Hills Presbyterian Church.

Located at the corner of Cascade and 36^th street, Forest Hills Presbyterian may be just outside the Lowell area but their impact here at FROM has been influential. It was the interruption of the church’s food program, A.C.C.E.S.S.6 that led them to FROM. Once the church had become involved with FROM and its programs, they were so impressed and intrigued that they added it to their Mission Committee. Now, 30 parishioners volunteer for FROM helping in our food programs and among other positions.

With its current 300+ members working to fulfill the church’s mission, ‘Christ-Centered, People Focused, Mission Driven’, the church has been involved in many FROM programs. From our Food programs to the Thrift store, From Christmas projects to Backpack distribution and all the in-betweens, Forest Hills Presbyterian has continued to show up and share their time, energy, and efforts with us.

When asked what motivates the church to stay involved with FROM, it was just one sentence from their pastor that keeps them going. “We need to be Christ in other peoples’ lives.” With that, the church hasn’t stopped seeking ways to show up and serve. Forest Hills Presbyterian shared their experiences with FROM. “We see the impact of FROM every time we go, every time we get the newsletter, every time we man a truck or pack a commodities box. We are so grateful to FROM for allowing us to be a part of this amazing organization.” We’re glad Forest Hills Presbyterian has partnered with us in such an impactful, empowered way. Gratitude certainly goes both ways!

Thank you, Forest Hills Presbyterian.

 

For George Watson, Monday morning is one of the most enjoyable parts of the week. George has volunteered at 

FROM (Flat River Outreach Ministries) for nearly a decade. His time is spent sorting books and preparing the book section of Treasures Thrift Store. George has also enjoyed creating friendships with volunteers who work in the same time slot as him over the years.  

 

George began volunteering with FROM after searching in the thrift store for a book about woodworking.  He developed a love for the section and decided he wanted to be involved.  

 

“I still haven’t found that book,” he laughed.  

 

Since then, George has sorted and sold many kinds of books but highlights the faith section as one of his favorites.   

 

“I think it is important to provide the community with religious material,” he said. George has enjoyed working with many volunteers over the years, including Donna Jean Ford, who passed away in 2020. You can read her story here. He and his fellow book department volunteers are all incredibly passionate about their positions. 

 

 “We are all very detail oriented,” he said. “Empty shelves don’t sell books.”  

 

Outside of FROM, George loves to spend time in his hobbies, which include Woodworking, farming, and tractors. Working in the book department has also given George a chance to expand his knowledge on these hobbies through books he purchased and read.  

 

“I love seeing all the different texts,” he said. “I am one of my own best customers.”  

 

“As an avid reader myself, I so appreciate what George and everyone in the book department does,” Arianne Hall, Development Director said. “I always find such fun books at FROM. You can tell the passion George has for books through the displays! I’m so thankful for his passion about FROM and his hard work!” 

Thank you, George, we appreciate everything you do and for the more than 1,600 hours you’ve given to your community through volunteering!   

 

 

Whether it’s FROM (Flat River Outreach ministries) or the Lowell Wildlife Center, Sjana spends many hours a week volunteering her time to help the Lowell community.  

 

She started volunteering at FROM in 2009 and has worked in a variety of the Thrift Store’s departments. She now spends most of her time in the donation room sorting through items to help prepare them to be sold in the Thrift store.  

 

“FROM does a lot for this community,” she said. “I couldn’t find this type of place in Grand Rapids.” 

 

In the past, Sjana utilized services at FROM with her family, and saw volunteering at FROM a way to give back to the community that had helped her. Her reason for volunteering is simple: she wants to help others. 

 

 “I do what I do and that’s all there is to it,” she said.  

 

When she’s not at FROM, Sjana is likely taking care of animals at the Animal Wildlife Center in Lowell, which she runs. The center takes injured or abandoned animals and nurses them back to health. She takes care of all sorts of animals – including baby squirrels that she feeds around the clock when they’re first born.  

 

FROM has found a way to support the wildlife center by donating much of the expired food from the food panty to the animals. Kelly Glas, Healthy Foods Program Coordinator, is passionate about limiting the amount of food that is wasted at FROM and is thankful for the partnership with Animal Wildlife Center in Lowell.  

 

“At FROMs Food Pantry, we greatly focus on doing the right thing with the resources we have been blessed with. Sjana, and the Wildlife Center, has been a pivotal part of making this a reality. Occasionally there will be fresh items that we don’t go through quick enough. Instead of these items ending up in the landfill, we give them to the wildlife center to be used as feed for the animals.” Said Kelly.  

 

Sjana is very thankful for the support FROM has given both her and the Wildlife Center.  

 

In the more than a decade since Sjana has been volunteering, she has volunteered nearly 9,000 hours!  

 

 “Sjana is often here at 6:30 am ready to work in the donation room. We appreciate her faithfulness and dedication to FROM,” said Wendi Priess, the Executive Director. 

 

Thank you, Sjana, for your passion to serve the Lowell community! FROM is thankful for you.