Each year during the month of April, organizations across the country dedicate a week to recognizing the invaluable impact of volunteers on their missions and visions. National Volunteer Appreciation Week, this year held from April 16-22, gives Mary’s Center a chance to highlight the incredibly meaningful contributions of our vast volunteer network. Through the combined efforts of individual volunteers, school groups, community organizations, and corporate partners, Mary’s Center’s volunteers help make the scope and reach of our mission possible. , , and individuals like Yohannes Roell are star examples of the incredible volunteer involvement at Mary’s Center. Read below to hear from them about their connection to Mary’s Center’s work. We are incredibly grateful for the support we receive from these volunteers and our entire network!
Girl Scouts Council of the Nation’s Capital, Troop 63 has been deeply involved with Mary’s Center for more than five years. Their work and commitment to our participants even resulted in them being nominated for and then winning the 2021 Youth Fundraiser of the Year Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals!
“While working with many non-profits, the volunteer work tends to be the same each time you return. But with Mary’s Center, each project has been different: donating Girl Scout cookies to a party Mary’s Center was throwing for its graduating seniors in their Teen’s program, face-painting and helping with crafts at the Holiday Party, assembling meal kits for Thanksgiving, and distributing fresh produce and organizing and recommending children’s books to young guests and families at Mary Center’s Prince George’s County 10th Anniversary Celebration.
Volunteering at Mary’s Center has broadened the troop’s view of their city. They see that there are all kinds of communities very close by. When the troop was asked to assemble Thanksgiving meal kits on short notice and on an emergency basis due to the pandemic, they quickly responded understanding that it would go to struggling neighbors during an exceptional time and that their help was critical.
Our involvement with Mary’s Center started out very small: we selected it as our Hometown Hero during a cookie selling season and encouraged customers to donate cookies to Mary’s Center. So that’s how the troop first got in the door . . . They delivered Girl Scout cookies. In response, Mary’s Center was very warm and welcoming and took the time to show the girls all the good work they were doing. This is what intrigued the girls and made them want to pitch in where they could.”
Deloitte is a significant corporate partner with year-round engagement in volunteer activities that work across our entire mission.
“Mary’s Center’s focus on addressing all parts of an individual– the health, social, education, and economic aspects of our lives – this is what resonates with our Deloitte team as we aim to use our corporate citizenship to make a positive, lasting, and intentional impact among our neighbors in this community. We are able to achieve this by partnering and supporting Mary’s Center on a variety of ongoing volunteer activities and projects that typically allow our team to directly support and interact with those that Mary’s Center serves.”
“One of the most impactful experiences I had while working with Mary’s Center was the Thanksgiving Food Drive. The Deloitte team placed decorated bins across the Rosslyn and Mclean Offices, explaining the purpose and reasoning for our drive. Working to collect items, create individual food bags, and drive our mission to aid surrounding communities was amazing. Not only did we have the Deloitte team helping, we had the University of Maryland Alumni Organization within Deloitte come and help us assemble bags as well. Deloitte employees were able to help us in reaching new records of items and bags we provided to Mary’s Center.” – Evan Judge, Advisory Analyst | Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory
“Last October, the Deloitte team supported the Hattie Holmes Celebration Event, where we provided a celebration cake and passed out thank you cards, signed by our Deloitte colleagues. This event was particularly meaningful as we met folks that Mary’s Center serves and chatted closely with them. We learned a lot about their lives and how beneficial the Senior Center has been to them- whether it’s providing an opportunity for physical activity, arts & crafts, friendship, and community. A lot of them were longtime DC residents and had seen the center develop over time as it has become an integral community resource to them. It is truly inspiring to see and be a part of a volunteer effort that has tangible impacts to our community and this reiterates how impactful Mary’s Center is within the DC area.” -Devika Shankardass, Consultant | Government and Public Services
Yohannes Roell is a junior in high school who volunteers at Mary’s Center every week for school service hours. However, Yohannes’ family has a deeper connection to Mary’s Center as both his mom and sister used to volunteer at our baby showers held for our pregnant participants. Click here to watch a video of Yohannes talking about his experience at Mary’s Center!
“At Mary’s Center I’ve learned that I have resources that I can use to help people. Each week, I sort clothes and donations for families in need. I’ve also learned a lot about leadership. Since most of the time I’m volunteering by myself, I’ve learned how to be independent and take on tasks for myself. I think in the future I’ll be able to lead groups better thanks to my time volunteering at Mary’s Center. Mary’s Center is such a nice and welcoming community and feels familiar to me. Someday I’d like to be a psychologist in a place like Mary’s Center.”