Volunteers Celebrated for Service to Abode

More than 200 community members gathered at the Centerville Presbyterian Church gym for a celebration of their volunteerism at Abode and dedication to ending homelessness in Alameda and Santa Clara counties.

The Volunteer Appreciation Reception was hosted by Abode as a thank you to community volunteers for their endless efforts towards the nonprofit’s mission to ensure everyone has a home. It was also a celebration of the broad community support Abode receives every day.

During the last fiscal year, community members spent more than 18,000 hours volunteering for Abode and the families and individuals the organization serves.

“We could not accomplish any of our goals without the support we receive from our volunteers,” said Jean Morgan, Abode’s community outreach director. “We know how busy everyone is, and to have all these people give up their time and energy to help us and those we serve — it really means a lot to everyone.”

At the event held in April 2014, Abode recognized the breadth of the service volunteers give and the various communities they represent. Those who have given time include religious groups, civic groups and youth organizations. Elected officials, students and busy professionals are also part of the volunteer army that helps make sure people have a place to call home.

Together, these volunteers work on a variety of projects. Some take part in our Home Warming program, donating furnishings and purchasing household supplies for people moving into a home after living on the street. Others cook and serve meals to residents living at Abode’s Sunrise Village Emergency Shelter. Some volunteers help by working on maintenance projects like painting or helping to grow a garden, while others donate time tutoring children living at one of our supportive housing units.

Still others, like Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison, the emcee at the Volunteer Appreciation Reception, volunteer their time to help Abode host successful events that thank those who work so hard to ensure everyone has a home.

The Volunteer Appreciation Reception was sponsored by Fremont Bank Foundation.

The offices of State Senator Ellen Corbett, Assemblymember Bob Wieckowski, Assemblymember Bill Quirk and Alameda County Supervisor Scott Haggerty also helped by printing certificates of appreciation for Abode’s active volunteers.

Abode also gave special awards to a pair of individuals, three groups and two businesses who exhibited extraordinary volunteering efforts.

Those honored included:

Mrs. Kathleen McCabe-Martin, a Mission San Jose Elementary School teacher

Douglas Ford, President of Abode Services’ Board of Directors

Las Positas College Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society

Girl Scout Troop 30936

Fremont Elks Lodge 2121

Liftech Consultants Inc.

Mean Well USA, Inc.