Celebrating Our Volunteers
In Every Gesture of Support, They Embody Our Core – Their Dedication Means Everything to Us.
Volunteer Spotlight
Kathy Connolly
Our Hope Grows theme for November is GLADNESS, and what better time to kick off our monthly Volunteer Spotlight to show how “glad” we are to have so many amazing volunteers who help support our organization!
If you’ve been to any Hope Grows events in the last 10 years, chances are you’ve run into Kathy Connolly. A retired teacher, Kathy has been a loyal volunteer for all things Hope Grows (especially our summer nature camps!), and not just because she’s also Lisa Story’s sister. “I believe wholeheartedly in the Hope Grows mission as I’ve watched it evolve from the beginning.”
Kathy’s favorite part about Hope Grows is the gardens and the themes that surround each one, along with the support that our programs and people provide. When asked why volunteers should consider donating their time to us: “I’ve told so many people that volunteering at Hope Grows helps YOU just as much as it helps the organization. Giving your time is therapeutic! Helping Hope Grows gives me such a great feeling.”
And the feeling is mutual! We are so lucky to have you, Kathy, and we thank you for your many years of self-less service.
Volunteer Spotlight
Joani McCormack
Joani has been an incredible champion for Hope Grows these last 5 years! She attended our Victorian Tea several years ago and “fell in love with Hope Grows.” She wishes she would’ve known about our programs when caring for her father. “You have managed a way to care for the caregiver – the whole person. With counseling and support groups, to garden therapy, check-in calls, meal delivery, and more. I tell people that Hope Grows is like an onion: you peel away a layer and learn more, and more, and more!”
In addition to helping with caregiver check-in calls, garden work, turkey meal deliveries, and co-chairing our 2023 Victorian Tea fundraiser, Joani has raised more than $8,000 through the “Mixer with Shakers” event with the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce to support programming here at Hope Grows!
When asked why someone should volunteer their time with us, Joani replied: “We all have talents to share. Sometimes making a call to a caregiver may be the only kind call they receive that week. Just showing that you care and that you are listening can make all the difference to someone who may be overwhelmed and burned out. Many, many caregivers are the only ones providing care to their loved one. They need Hope Grows – they need to know that others are concerned for them, too.”
We agree wholeheartedly, Joani, and we’re so thankful to have you in our corner. Big hugs all around!
Volunteer Spotlight
Shruthi Srivatsan
Shruthi joined our Hope Grows Board of Directors this past August and has hit the ground running! She attended our Here’s to Hope Harvest Moon Raffle in October, packed food for our Turkey Meals Drive for family caregivers in November, and secured a grant from the Cummins Foundation in December. As if that wasn’t enough, Shruthi is planning a volunteer activity with her Cummins Inc. employees here at Hope Grows in the coming weeks AND will be spearheading the Program Sub-Committee on our Board. Whew!
When asked what Hope Grows means to her, Shruthi said: “Support for caregivers is often overlooked. Growing up in a multi-generational family, I’m able to truly appreciate and empathize with this cause. The enthusiasm for this good work, and the energy to make a difference that the Hope Grows team has, is very infectious – I easily jumped on board!”
“We may all know loved ones or acquaintances that need extra care and attention. But we may not have stopped to consider the cost (emotional, physical, and oft times financial) of this much-needed service that is borne by the caregiver. Volunteering with Hope Grows allows us to mitigate some of these costs and promote overall well-being. Opportunities are aplenty – and when you donate your time, you can make a difference.”
And what a difference Shruthi has made! She has quickly become an incredible champion of all things Hope Grows and we are so very lucky to be the recipients of her time, talent, and expertise.