Under the theme, “VIP,” The Shelter for Abused Women & Children honored the dedication of its 400-plus volunteers, April 14, with an online celebration at naplesshelter.org/virtual-celebration/ The web page is available for viewing by the public.
Shelter volunteers logged 14,983.48 hours of service in 2019-20. If monetized, the total would exceed $400,000. (Based on Independent Sector.)
The lion’s share of the volunteer hours were given at The Shelter Options Shoppe, but countless hours were also spent answering The Shelter’s crisis hotline, administrative duties, assisting with events, tending The Shelter’s Peace Garden, organizing the food pantry, hosting wonderful holiday, birthday, mother’s day and back to school celebrations, as well as serving on various Shelter boards and committees.
Charlotte Tarr was honored as this year’s Shelter Volunteer of the Year. Throughout the last year, Charlotte has made a significant impact on at least six major programs to benefit The Shelter and our participants. Her time and efforts are clearly dedicated to supporting the mission of The Shelter and the Guild. As the Guild’s Decorating Committee Chair, her team brings our Emergency Shelter to life on holidays and special occasions, providing residents with much love and joy.
Other Outstanding Shelter volunteers for 2019-20 included:
- Maxine Robbins and Linda Torp, Outstanding Administration Volunteers
- Ellie O’Brien, Gail King, and Barbara Langrebe, Outstanding Shelter Guild Volunteers
- Laura Donovan and Marje Duray, Outstanding Mending Broken Hearts Volunteers
- Molly Stanley, Outstanding Emergency Shelter Volunteer
- Carol Beauregard, Outstanding Outreach Volunteer
- Faylee Goldstone and MJ Lawton Outstanding Options Volunteers
Volunteers with 10 or more years of service included Sandra Estridge, Jimany Sue McLaughlin, Barbara Johnson, Annabella Richardi, Phyllis Bond, Kathy Olson, Nancy Herbert, Barb Lauber, Betty Tinsler, Rita Collins, Norma Laird, Shirley Neu, Jan Smith, Jean Travlos, Irmgard Wannamaker, Charlotte Werdell, Karol Kulik, Molly Stanley, Judye Baer, Joan Hedges, Loreen Sellitto, Pat Wheeler, Sandy Cece, Laird Grant Groody, Susan Sterner, and Lynn Wigton.
“These men and women are truly VIPs at The Shelter,” said Shelter CEO Linda Oberhaus, “We were sad not to be able to gather together to honor them this year, but the distance did not change the tremendous gratitude and appreciation we have for these Very Important People.”
