Experiential learning was the key to the success of our recent project on volunteerism. For five days, 14 visitors from India, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka joined locals not only to learn about volunteerism but also to participate in volunteer projects.
The U.S. Department of State’s national project goals for this group were to:
Examine the impact of volunteerism in U.S. communities and what inspires volunteers, particularly young people, to promote civic awareness and responsibility;
Investigate best practices in volunteer recruitment, retention and management;
Explore the concept of ‘social entrepreneurship’ and efforts to organize, create and galvanize communities to initiate social change; and
Participate in community service activities alongside Americans.
Their time in Pensacola began with a Sunday afternoon community service project at Mt. Zion cemetery which was coordinated by Stephanie Plancich of the Escambia VISTA Coalition. The project assigned to our group was to clear, clean, and beautify the entrance of this historic cemetery; and the group did just that and more. Working with our delegation were members of the Escambia VISTA Coalition, United Way of Escambia County, and Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council volunteers. Thank you to everyone including, but not limited to, Wilson Finch, Frank Giammaria, Brittney Goodman, Gloria Horning, Stephanie Kuhn, Carmella Miller, Bonnie Smith, Stacey Williams, Marcus Vlahovic, and Simon Vlahovic for your part in making this a great experience for our visitors.
The next day found the group volunteering with Jerry Mitrovich and the great team working with him at Feeding the Hungry Plus at First United Methodist Church (FUMC). The group served meals, worked in the kitchen, and scrubbed pots alongside other volunteers who later reported that this group was one of the hardest working they had met. Prior to serving the meal, Jerry outlined how the all-volunteer group works, why they do what they do, and how exactly they go about their mission. Following their time at FUMC, the group stepped outside to enjoy the throws and excitement surrounding the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade.
Other activities in Pensacola included a discussion with Brenda Camper and Joe Denmon about the role of community foundations and a morning workshop on volunteerism coordinated by Stacey Williams and Kris Thoma of United Way of Escambia County. Thank you to the many members of the community who gave of their time and expertise to this workshop including Jean Norman and Susan Senkarik of United Way of Escambia County, Frank Giammaria, Brittney Goodman, Lilia Oakey, Hong Tran, Stacey Williams, and Doria Young of AmeriCorps VISTA, Melissa Miller of Landrum Professional, Gloria Horning and Greg Strader of BRACE, Paula Shell of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida, Karen Szulczewski of the Better Business Bureau, and Buzz Ritchie of Gulf Coast Community Bank.
Their time in the area was limited, but the group also managed to meet Tonya Green to discuss county volunteer coordination and City Councilwoman Maren DeWeese to learn more about the community and to receive their special certificates of honorary citizenship with the city. Thank you also to Kristin Fairchild and the staff and volunteers of Chain Reaction who shared vital information as well as inspiration on teen volunteer banks and to Vice Principal Maureen Harden and the students and faculty of Brown Barge Middle School who welcomed the group into the school for classroom presentations and for sharing about volunteerism at the middle school level.
Of course, time spent in Pensacola wouldn’t be complete without time spent in the homes of our volunteers. Thank you to members Enid Wilson, Vanessa Mayes, Jania & Anne Marie Kietzmann, Sonja Nelson, Randy & Sunaree Bullock, Susan Senkarik, and Jack & Cookie Kichler for hosting dinners and for spending time at the National Naval Aviation Museum with some of the group Monday afternoon.
