The Value of One, The Power of Many: Meet Holly

“ A greater connection to the community.”

#NationalVolunteerWeek

We are so lucky to have Holly Weitzel volunteering with us! Holly got involved as a key force at our flagship fundraiser, Gems & Java - running the kitchen. We asked why she started and what she's gained from her volunteer work:

"I was elated at the opportunity, being past president of the Kinette Club of London, I had lots of experience with food driven fundraising so I knew this would be the perfect fit! When I started I had just moved back from London and was in need of new friendships and activities to keep me busy," Holly said.

She said her work with our organization has brought her "a greater connection to the community."

#NVW2021 #VolunteerLed #VolunteerDriven

The Value of One, The Power of Many: Meet Paul

#NationalVolunteerWeek

Introducing volunteer Paul Leuverink! Paul coordinates the technology behind our payment system at Gems & Java and is also providing tech support for our Spring Forward Silent Auction.

"It’s important for me to give back, to focus on others, and to make an impact. It's also important for me to make meaningful connections with other volunteers and I feel good knowing that I can make a positive impact on people in another part of the world," he said.

"The money that is raised goes to support so many meaningful projects . . . I am proud to be able to contribute to this work!"

“The money that is raised goes to support so many meaningful projects . . . I am proud to be able to contribute to this work!”

The Value of One, The Power of Many: Meet Diane

“It also gave me the opportunity to meet new people and become involved in the community.”

#NationalVolunteerWeek

We're so happy to have Diane Broad volunteering with us! Here's what she had to say about getting involved:

"After attending two Gems & Java events, I was so moved by the passion and dedication of the founders of this local Woodstock organization that I wanted to contribute my time in some way to support their projects in Ethiopia. As a newcomer to Woodstock, it also gave me the opportunity to meet new people and become involved in the community."

Thank you Diane for sharing your time and talents with our organization!

#NVW2021 #VolunteersDriveChange

The Value of One, The Power of Many: Meet Amanda

#NationalVolunteerWeek

Amanda Bragg first learned about our organization after she was given a ticket to Gems & Java as a birthday gift. Now she's a member of the volunteer endgagement committee.

"The stories shared that day were both moving and inspiring and I knew I wanted to help!"

And the rest is history! We're so glad to have you on the team, Amanda! She said it's a great combination, working with a talent group of people while also making a difference.

"I have had the pleasure of getting to know and work with an incredible team of volunteers. There are so many dedicated people with a broad range of skills and talents. It has been a wonderful learning experience."

It's been such a joy to share a glimpse at some of our volunteers with you this week as part of #NationalVolunteerWeek. This year's theme - the value of one, the power of many - really sums up our work. Thank you to each and every one of you who contributes time, energy, talent and money to our cause.

“The stories shared that day were both moving and inspiring and I knew I wanted to help!”

Appreciating Our Volunteers: Peg McKinnon

Peg McKinnon has considered herself to have had a very fortunate life. She has always had a roof over her head, food on the table, and a network of family and friends to love and support her. When her daughter-in-law invited her to volunteer at a fundraising event called Gems & Java, Peg thought she could use the many skills she had relied on in her working career to help out. After having retired from a busy, and often stressful position, Peg found that she still had the drive to continue exercising the skills and abilities developed throughout a life path including 36 years in the workforce. After participating in the work and dedication that went into the massive undertaking of Gems & Java, then hearing Shelley Green give a speech about her personal connection to the people the organization served, Peg never looked back.

Peg is a wife, mom, grandmother and great-grandmother, and also takes pride in her role on the Volunteer Engagement Committee, working alongside two other amazing women, Amanda Bragg and Sandy Smith. Her work is inspired by knowing that what she does with her team makes a difference. Someone far away in the world experiences support and relief, even if just for a brief moment, because of Peg’s caring heart. Knowing she is helping people is why Peg volunteers. In this organization, Peg really believes that the efforts of just one person make a significant impact on another person’s life. Every minute of volunteerism matters in Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia.

Peg loves being part of a network of like-minded, dedicated volunteers.  Her committee works collaboratively, developing communication to our volunteers, organizing their responses, all the while problem-solving the inevitable curves in the road. Seeing it all come together successfully at the Gems & Java event days makes it all worthwhile. Peg and her team keep the efforts and energies of the team focused and connected.

When asked what Peg would say to someone thinking of joining the team, she replied, “Just come out. Try it once. Iron a sheet, sort some jewelry, hang some pictures, bring a friend, be brave, come on your own! You will love it.”

Our team is so much stronger because Peg McKinnon and her team keep us on task, fully supported, and filled with praise for our efforts. Thank you Peg and team for ‘engaging’ us.

Appreciating Our Volunteers: Deb & Duane Griffith

To say that volunteerism is a family trait would perfectly describe Deb and Duane Griffith and their two adult children, Ashlee and Brent. The couple have dedicated much of their relationship in service to others in one capacity or another, and this desire to help is how Deb, and then Duane, got involved in Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia. Deb and Ashlee attended one the organization’s primary fundraisers, Gems & Java, way back when it was still held in an Innerkip church. Both mom and daughter were inspired by what they saw that day, and it wasn’t long before their passion and commitment to the organization gave Duane the nudge to join in, too.

The couple were born and raised in Woodstock, and have lived in the city their entire lives. Duane has retired from a 38-year career working for General Motors, lastly as a Lead Facility Manager, and Deb retired from Advertising/Sales consulting for The Oxford Shopping News where she worked for 25 years. Both bring a valuable skill set to their volunteer roles at Mothers. Deb is one of the members of the Gems & and Java Committee and the lead volunteer coordinator for the Bags N Bobbles Boutique. Duane works with Shelley on sponsorship and donations. He also provides muscle and brain power during setup and teardown for the big yearly event. They are involved with Mothers in some capacity year-round.

Deb and Duane credit Ashlee’s passion for the organization as the inspiration for their commitment. Once they were exposed to Shelley and her team, and witnessed for themselves the benefits this work can bring to women and children living far more challenging lives than any of us could imagine, they saw some good use for their retirement years. The couple know that here in Canada we are blessed with so much social and financial means at our disposal, and they truly appreciate how directly the efforts of this organization impact lives positively in Ethiopia. It is so gratifying to know all the money raised by this 100% volunteer-based group goes directly to projects we sponsor in Ethiopia.

When asked what they would say to anyone thinking of volunteering for Mothers With a Heart for Ethiopia, Duane responded:

“If we were in bad state for whatever reason, there are many groups/organizations we could turn to for assistance in Canada. Those groups we support in Ethiopia don’t have and never will have that luxury. It is very gratifying knowing we assisted young men/women and children in the six major projects Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia support. We truly make a difference in their lives.”

This work gives Deb and Duane something to work on together. They enjoy the friendships they have made and are lifted by knowing they are helping to really make a difference in lives of the less fortunate. They like to remind their friends that financial support is not the only way to support Mothers. There are so many roles that can be filled throughout the year and they promise, no matter which role you fill, you will be making a difference that matters

Appreciating Our Volunteers: Liz Wismer-Van Meer

Liz Wismer-Van Meer was born and raised in Woodstock. Her family have been in the community for over 70 years owning a number of local businesses, and they all share a deep love for this community. Liz married her high school sweetheart Mike; they have two children Addison & Quinten, their dog Trey (who they adopted two years ago) and their rabbit, Bun Buns, found in an abandoned parking lot. Liz loves being involved in the community; volunteering, working with and helping others, and giving back. Many of us came to know Liz in the time she worked with Heart FM on the morning show. She has since moved on to the not-for-profit world and is now the Resource Development Manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oxford County.

Shelley Green shared her vision for this organization just shortly after she adopted her daughter Julia while Liz was working at Heart FM. Given Liz’s aptitude at speaking to large audiences, Shelley wondered if Liz would be interested in hosting our annual fundraiser, a task Liz gladly took on. Listening to Shelley tell her story, hearing about the experiences and dire conditions that so many women and children were living in, Liz felt called to help further. Soon after, Liz was signed up.  She currently holds the positions of Gems & Java Committee Member, and Gems & Java Silent Auction Committee Chair - two very busy and important roles for the team.

Liz is always moved by Shelley’s presentation at the annual Gems & Java fundraiser. Seeing the pictures, watching the videos, hearing the difference being made and seeing how far the funds being raised go motivates Liz to be involved. The first time she saw a video from the projects we are supporting was a complete eye-opener for her. There were women dancing, singing, and celebrating for things we would never consider a gift -- receiving W.R.A.P.S. (feminine hygiene products), a spice grinder so they can work, and surgery to repair a prolapsed uterus. Seeing young girls playing soccer, running, going to school and learning about healthy, active lifestyles…so many things we take for granted each and every day has truly changed how Liz views our lifestyles and the great opportunities we have simply because of the country we were born in. She realizes we are truly blessed.

She absolutely loves the amazing women and men she works with each and every year assisting in planning Gems & Java. There are many hours put into pulling this event together, but when you are in that room with a few hundred guests, seeing their emotions as they watch one of the videos for the first time and witness the difference their support is making in Ethiopia, it gives Liz goosebumps just thinking about it.  Many are moved to tears.  For Liz, just knowing that many lives are being changed because of the hard work and dedication of hundreds of volunteers here in Canada inspires her.

Liz believes future volunteers should check out the vision and mission of Mothers With A Heart For Ethiopia by checking out the website or Facebook; watch the videos, read about the projects we are supporting and hear the success stories. She would encourage anyone to take the opportunity to attend Gems & Java, even just once to see what it is all about. The beauty of this organization and the main event is there are so many ways to get involved and so many uses for a variety of talents and skill sets. Liz guarantees you will find something that works for you, and the difference you will make for the women and children in Ethiopia is truly life changing! Plus, there is an amazing group of volunteers to get to know. Volunteers like Liz Wismer-Van Meer.

Liz quotes Ghandi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Appreciating Our Volunteers: Tracy Dunham

You might not realize how often the volunteer work of Tracy Dunham, mother to three adopted children from Ethiopia, is regularly impacting your awareness of our work through Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia. 

Tracy works on the Communications Team. The posts you see on social media, including the Prolapse Surgery updates, are managed by our communications team. Tracy gets such fulfilment when reading the stories of the work we are funding and feels intimately connected with those we serve. She gets to see and hear so much of what is going on, and she gets to know the names and faces of the people who are being impacted. In the four years she has been volunteering, she said “that is still my favourite part and keeps me motivated to stay involved.” Tracy is also a behind-the-scenes member of the Logistics Team for our flagship event, Gems & Java.

Volunteer Tracy Dunham is a pastor and an incredible musician and singer. (Also an amazing organizational and technological whiz!!)

Tracy is a pastor to a church in Kitchener, Ontario, and along with her husband, is raising three teenaged kids.  She is passionate about organizing (anything), gourmet donuts, coffee, her husband’s culinary skills (she gets clean-up duty), and her faith.  She donates her valuable time to Mothers because of the simplicity and power of the organization. She tells us that “when we volunteer and money is raised for these projects, lives are changed one person at a time in ways that are obvious.” She also loves that we have incredible partners right in Ethiopia who are making a difference through their dedication to the children and women they serve.

When Tracy was asked what she would say to someone considering joining our volunteer team, she responded: 

“We all want our lives to count for something and sometimes wonder how to make that happen. Volunteering with MWAHFE means that you will not only be arm in arm with others who are making a difference, not only be working with an organization that strives for excellence in all things, but you’ll be in touch with the tangible results of your work as life after life is changed by the funds we raise. Win-win-win.”

If you volunteer alongside Tracy, you will come to know she works with passion and joy, and a great sense of fun. We are so glad that Tracy Dunham chose Mothers With a Heart for Ethiopia to dedicate her time, heart and passion for caring for others.

Appreciating Our Volunteers: Pamela Pilon

Pamela Pilon can be described as a mother, teacher, friend, wife, and citizen of the global family.

Very quickly when talking with Pamela you will come to realize that she is passionate about thinking globally and acting locally.  She firmly believes we each play a role in global health, wealth and welfare, and she is aligned to act and make a difference. 

Volunteer Pamela Pilon handcrafting a cheese board.

Pamela connects with the natural world in her woodworking shop fashioning her own design of cheese boards.  She can observe a piece of wood and see its natural personality and identity, and she finds the experience of creation very powerful.  This might be why she taught 14 of her students how to make their own boards.  The kids fashioned their boards, then sold the product to fund a field trip.  Pamela understands how empowering it is for the kids to go from raw product to experiential outcome from the product they created. 

This gifted artist also has a talent of making jewelry, and it was through her talents with crafting jewelry that Pamela was introduced to our organization, Mothers With a Heart for Ethiopia.  One of her students, Sarah Leuverink, had a parent involved with the organization from its birth, mother Kim, a long-time friend of founder, Shelley Green.  When a shipment of handmade necklaces arrived from Ethiopia with a design flaw rendering them unusable, Pamela was called upon to come up with a solution.  Problem solving is another one of her passions. 

So, a fix was developed, and Pamela was hooked.

Pamela volunteers on the Logistics Team, helping coordinate the setup and tear down activities of Gems & Java.  She absolutely loves how, in a busy life, her valuable volunteer time is utilized efficiently and effectively toward achieving the organization’s goals.  She decided to give MWAHFE her volunteer hours, because she sees everyone as global citizens, and she believes we are blessed to live where we live. She strongly believes we are duty-bound by our good fortune to share our riches and treasures, minds, materials and hearts with those less fortunate.  Pamela is inspired by the grass roots nature of this organization, and she values Shelley Green as a leader and visionary.  For Pamela, Shelley has a brilliant mind, is aware of the skills in others, and understands that there is power in numbers.  Group work makes magic happen.  This leader gets right in the muck, working along side the people she directs.  That’s inspiring to Pamela.

Pamela’s greatest joy comes on the days of our big fundraiser, Gems & Java.  When a first-time guest walks through the doors, and a look of amazement spreads across their face, Pamela’s soul sings.  She intimately knows that behind the glitz and glamour are countless hours of effort, coordination, sweat and grit to present a flawless event. 

Pamela does it all for that look of awe.  It hooks her time and again.

Appreciating Our Volunteers: Arlene Wells

When Arlene Wells’ daughter, Tracy, shared information about our organization, Mothers With A Heart for Ethiopia (MWAHFE), it was a natural draw for Arlene to step up and help out.  Arlene is the grandmother to three grandchildren adopted from Ethiopia by Tracy and her husband, and she has been to Ethiopia to see firsthand how great the need is in that country.  And step up she did. She has taken on the role of database coordinator for our team, keeping up-to-date records of volunteer contact information and other organizational details.

Arlene has been married for 45 years to a now retired Pastor whom she worked alongside in ministry. She has gone on several two-week humanitarian trips, bringing real time knowledge of how important work like MWAHFE is to these countries. When not spending time with her two amazing adult children and six grandkids, Arlene enjoys reading, running, and helping out wherever she is needed.

Arlene loves how MWAHFE partners with organizations in Ethiopia to help expand on the great work they are doing for children and woman in their homeland.  She finds it so inspiring and heartwarming to see the needs of so many met through our work.  She also admires the ‘sacrificial volunteer work that Shelley Green puts her life into as the director’ of MWAHFE.

The obvious love and care that Shelley and her team have for this work which serves real people with real needs is a testimony for Arlene that the people we serve are beloved individuals. She wants people considering volunteer work with us to know that “this is such a worthy organization. People’s lives, especially women and children, are being changed by the programs Mothers invests in. That’s worth any time and effort that you can give”.