Freeport Community Services has been celebrating our 40 years of service to the communities of Freeport and Pownal in special ways throughout 2014. As we lead up to our signature White Nights celebration on January 24, 2015, we have partnered with the Tri-Town Weekly to “Shine the Light” on many of our programs and services that have helped people with both critical short-term needs as well as sustainable, long-term solutions throughout our four decades.
Fun. Laughter. Joy that comes from helping others. These are the phrases volunteers frequently use when talking about each other, and about volunteering at Freeport Community Services. At the heart of FCS’s mission is providing community members with opportunities to volunteer in a range of activities that help neighbors in need. Over the past year, Freeport Community Services noted the participation of 580 volunteers helping with dozens of community programs and special events. For many, volunteering also offers a chance to make new friends.
“She was so easy to talk to, and really funny,” said Susie Stevens, about meeting Caroline Jacobson. “I had a real sense of community when I was around her.”
Susie, who lives in Durham, and Caroline, who lives in Pownal, both signed up a year ago to work at the FCS Annex on Thursday mornings. Caroline had the same immediate connection with Susie.
“She is a real mood booster and a very compassionate person,” she noted.
The two liked volunteering together so much that they started volunteering at the FCS food pantry on Wednesdays.
“I am a patron of the pantry, and I like giving back. It is good for people to be here for their mental and social health.” noted Caroline.
Susie agreed: “It feels like a family.”
Cheryl Worcester of Freeport and Joyce Parker from Yarmouth had a similar experience. Two years ago they were paired to work a lunchtime shift at the FCS Thrift Shop and have rarely missed a Monday volunteering together.
“This is a fun place to work,” said Joyce. “I love to help people that need it.”
Cheryl agreed and commented that she is “amazed at how many people she has met” through FCS. Cheryl and Joyce now jointly volunteer at another organization and enjoy cultural events together outside of FCS.
“We get along and have different strengths,” said Cheryl.
Gloria Kellogg from Freeport and Jean Kinney of Yarmouth have volunteered together for almost four years at the FCS Thrift Shop. Like the other volunteers interviewed for this article, they had not met one another before coming to FCS. Jean joined after her husband died, and she found FCS to be a place “of welcome and healing. It has given me more than I have given to it.”
When she met Gloria, she found her to be “the nicest, most thoughtful person. We just kind of clicked.”
Gloria added, “We have similar interests, like gardening, and we balance each other out. Jeanne is always willing to help out and gives to everyone.” They even try to go out to eat after their shift when they can manage it.
Debbie Daggett, longtime volunteer coordinator at Freeport Community Services, observed “true friendships” that form between volunteers is “one of my greatest pleasures.”
“The caring that pairs of volunteers develop for each other almost always has a ripple effect, spreading sincere good will to all they encounter,” she said, adding that this effect as “inspires” and affirms that the healthy benefits of volunteering extend to both recipients and volunteers.
If you would like to meet new people and help your community, give Debbie Daggett a call at 865-3985, ext. 206.
Many thanks to our White Nights sponsors for underwriting these stories: Bath Savings Bank, Curtis Thaxter, Goodwin Motor Group, H.M. Payson, Bayview Pediatrics, Brown Goldsmiths, Cartmell and Associates at Keller Williams Realty, Clark Insurance, FreeportUSA, Frost Gully Violins, Remax Heritage/Polly Nichols, Taggart Construction, Warren Construction and Zachau Construction.
Friends Susie Stevens, left, who lives in Durham, and Caroline Jacobson, who lives in Pownal, met when they both signed up a year ago to work at the FCS Annex on Thursday mornings.
Cheryl Worcester of Freeport, left, and Joyce Parker from Yarmouth now enjoy cultural events together outside of Freeport Community Services. Courtesy photos
Gloria Kellogg from Freeport, left, and Jean Kinney of Yarmouth have volunteered together for almost four years at the FCS Thrift Shop.
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