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!”

Surgical Success Stories - Amarech and Ayelech! (#358 & #359)

Amarech is 50 years old and she had a very severe prolapse although she just noticed it five months ago. She’s widowed and has given birth to seven children who have all survived. Her surgery went very well!

Ayelech is 40 years and has three living children after giving birth to six. She’s widowed and has been suffering from her prolapse for the past three years. It had become quite severe but is now a thing of the past and not of the present or the future. Her smile is even bigger after her surgery!

Surgical Success Stories - Shitaye and Bafe! (#356 & #357)

Shitaye, who is 45., was actually pregnant 13 times but now only has six living children. She’s married and has been dealing with her prolapse over the past year. Fortunately she caught her problem fairly early and it was able to be repaired!

Bafe, who is 55 and married, has eight children, all of whom are alive. Her prolapse had been present for 10 years and had gotten quite severe. But it’s gone now and she is so so grateful!

Surgical Success Stories - Amarech (x2) and Bizunesh! (#353, #354 & #355)

Amarech, who is only 30 years old, had been suffering from her prolapse for one year. She lives with her husband and her five children that are still living after having given birth to seven. She has quite a busy household and is now prolapse free!

This patient’s name is also Amarech and she is 65. She’s widowed and gave birth to four children, all of whom are still alive. She has suffered from her prolapse for the past year and that is now gone! She’s also had a lot of trouble with her left eye for about six years and the doctors made arrangements for her to see their eye doctor before returning home.

Bizunesh is 55 years of age. Like the others, her prolapse has been present for one year. She’s widowed and lives with one of her five children. All of her children have survived childhood. She was so, so pleased to be free of her prolapse!

Surgical Success Stories - Marta & Jante + One! (#350, #351 & #352)

Marta had a more challenging surgery than most. She is 50 years old and gave birth to seven children, five of whom are still living. Her prolapse had been present for five years and had become quite severe. We keep her in our thoughts and prayers as she fully recovers!

The doctors did not send the name of this beautiful patient who had travelled quite far to come and see them in Soddo. She is widowed and had very severe prolapse. She was brought in by her daughter who had heard they were able to help people with this problem. She has given birth to four children and they are all still alive. Her prolapse had been present for four years but is now a part of her history, not her present or her future! She did well after her surgery and made the long journey home to rest and recover.

Jatane had very severe prolapse and she stated that she started having trouble 20 years ago… 20 years! She’s 50 and widowed. She has given birth to 5 children and 4 of them have survived. She lives with her oldest son who accompanied her. When asked if she planned on remarrying, she just lovingly looked over at her son and said that he takes good care of her and why would she want to remarry? It was a sweet moment. Her surgery went extremely well!

Surgical Success Stories - Bantale, Bizunesh & Aribe (#347, #348 & #349)

Bantale, who is 60, had a severe prolapse hat had developed over just one year. She has given birth to five children and three of them are still living. She did great postoperatively and is now resting at home.

Bizunesh is 45 years old. She had eight children and five of them are still alive. She had suffered from her prolapse for one year and is now free from this trouble! She was able to go home after a couple of days with in the hospital.

Aribe, who is 55, has given birth to three children and all of them are still alive. Her prolapse had been present for three years and she was able to return home the same day of her surgery!

Surgical Success Stories - Yalise, Zerome & Hirut (#344, #345 & #346)

Yalise is 68 years old. She gave birth to five children but only one is still living. After surgeries the doctors report that she is truly a changed woman!

Zerome is 65 years old and gave birth to nine children and six are still living. Her prolapse had been present for two years and under anesthesia was more severe than was expected. But she did well and is now resting at home.

Hirut is 65 years old. She gave birth to six children and five are still alive. Her prolapse had become quite severe over the three years that she suffered from it but she is now prolapse free!