G.R.A.C.E. celebrates volunteers and outgoing board members
G.R.A.C.E. Board President Emily Cook, Mike Allison, Pam Milentz and Director Hannah Taylor. The Vindicator | Russell Payne
Lori Williams and Hannah Taylor
Betty Bernard, Connie Mallet, Patricia Rayburn and Sandy Sizemore from Liberty ISD.
LIBERTY - Volunteerism is a powerful instrument, and it is at the heart of the G.R.A.C.E. Initiative and Meals on Wheels of South Liberty County.
“So many say I don’t have the time to volunteer. Volunteers don’t have the time; they have the heart,” said Director Hannah Taylor.
Through the efforts of volunteers, the organization provides much-needed meals to home-bound individuals in South Liberty County who cannot adequately prepare their own meals because of illness, physical disability, or age.
The organization came together at The Oaks of Magnolia last week to honor their own and pay special tribute to outgoing board members Mike Allison and Pam Milentz, who have served since the inception in 2016.
“Mike Allison and I have truly grown to love this local mission and nonprofit. We have had many challenges through the years, but wonderful people from other cities and communities shared their knowledge and time so generously with us for a full year before we ever served our first meal. We started small, learning to document everything and to try hard to train volunteers, hold classes about different specific rules and regulations. So many people have shared their time, energy, love of the elderly and their faith by working diligently to show care and love to those who are isolated and unable to drive to procure their own food due to special needs. We on the GRACE MOW TEAM all quickly learned that we ‘receive’ much more than we give,” said Milentz.
Taylor and Board President Emily Cook gave both a special token of appreciation for their time and dedication.
Allison spoke to everyone in attendance, including a number of volunteers that have been a part of the organization from day one. He thanked them for everything in an emotional farewell. Although he did make it clear he would just be down the street and available to help out.
Board members include Allison, Milentz, Cook, Maxine Domain, Lori Williams, Cecilia Longoria and Terri Bivens.
All the volunteers were recognized and special thanks were given to the folks in Liberty and everyone in Dayton that assists in preparing the meals.
“We couldn’t do what we do without the folks at Liberty Middle School and the Dayton Community Center,” said Taylor.
“Our volunteers are the lifeline of our organization, and we couldn’t do it without them! If anyone would like to volunteer, we would love to have them join our team,”
For more information on becoming a volunteer, call 936-641-2846 or email hannah@libertymeals.com.