Volunteering is a feel-good thing

When you enter the St. Vincent de Paul HELP Center on a Monday morning and every other Thursday, the first people you will see are John and Elaine Almquist. There they sit with a clipboard and sign-in sheet in hand greeting everyone with a warm welcome. John and Elaine are there to meet with people and explain the available resources. And they do so promptly; to be sure no one is left waiting. "We try to accommodate people as quickly as we can," John said.

"We want people treated well," Elaine said. John and Elaine know people are left struggling, in difficult situations, often due to circumstances beyond their control. Some are not comfortable giving up personal information, perhaps a little embarrassed, sometimes unwilling to talk about themselves. It's then John and Elaine call on patience, kindness and compassion. "We can usually win them over," he said. Their 58-year marriage can be an icebreaker. "Most people are in awe when we tell them how long we've been married, because it is a long time. We're kind of proud of that," Elaine said.

Volunteering has made an impact in John and Elaine's lives. "When people come in and tell us they found a job, we're equally as happy," John said. "We see the success stories, and that just makes it all so worthwhile."

It's been three years since John and Elaine moved to Coeur d'Alene from Arizona. The retired couple was looking to stay active, and through their church, heard St. Vincent needed volunteers. "We came down and we're still here," Elaine said, smiling.

"John and Elaine are always cheerful, always willing to help, and the staff loves them," said Wanda Golding, HELP Center receptionist. "They are just fun and Elaine even brings in special cookies for each holiday. They are five-star volunteers."

"Volunteering gives us something to do and it's a feel good thing," Elaine said. The couple has volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul before, when they lived in Phoenix. But they're particularly proud of the Coeur d'Alene HELP Center. It offers everything from clothing to soup kitchens to shelter and perhaps most important, hope.

Volunteer Opportunity

If playing games and being around young smiling faces is something you enjoy...

The Idaho Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health is in need of volunteer child-care assistants for their Family Connections group. The Idaho Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health provides leadership in the field of children's mental health by providing support and advocacy to families to ensure the rights to community-based services for all children and youth with emotional, behavioral, and mental disorders and their families.

The Family Connections group is offered to families as a whole, to reduce stress and improve the family dynamics; particularly of those who are parents or caretakers of children with emotional, behavioral, mental, physical or developmental diagnosis. Child-care assistants must be 18 or over and any experience with children is helpful. To volunteer contact: Kristina Gallardo at (208) 620-1620

For more information about volunteer opportunities visit the United Way's Volunteer Center website www.kootenaiunitedway.org.