TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials
Our wonderful volunteers come from all walks of life, the only test being to be a willing, responsible person who wants to devote some of his or her time to helping others. There is no charge for our services.
Here is a sample of what folks have to say about us:
“Participating in the delivery of services and activities that Faith in Action offers to the community has given me numerous occasions to practice and expand upon my skill set. Although I had taken courses in several software applications, it is only in recurring usage that these skills begin to get honed. Faith in Action has provided this opportunity repeatedly, through a number of projects I have been privileged to participate in to their fruition. Not only does this solid up my abilities on the computer but it also has provided ample occasions to enter into various teamwork situations which invariably strengthens my people skills." --Richard Nunnally
"This is the first job I’ve ever had with no pay and where I go home every day feeling good that I’ve done something good for someone.” – Wanda, NEK Office Volunteer.
"Four years ago, I was one of the people standing in line at the food share. We had 3 kids that were not ours and we had to make the decision to buy meds or food. Now I am a volunteer and the one that organizes and oversees the volunteers who help pack the food boxes. I love what I am doing! I don’t know what we would have done if it was not for the food share. Now as I go through chemo and all, volunteering gives me something to look forward to.” -- Cindy
A woman, who had lived with an old friend for 20 years in Concord, VT, was trading housework for room and board when the ‘friend’ suddenly abandoned her with the house, the bills, no income and no support. She called on Faith in Action whose volunteers helped her get food and transportation to job interviews. Through all these challenges, she has never given up and is determined to turn her unfortunate situation into a great opportunity. “Thanks to Faith in Action I was able to do face-to-face interviews and start a business plan to turn the house into a bed and breakfast.”
“I so appreciate getting help and being with other people. There is someone to visit and talk to at Faith in Action. It is comfortable and relaxing. I like helping other people and volunteering. The people are friendly. Coming here gets me out of the house, and I like doing crafts. Being here really helps me mentally.” -- Candy
“I like coming here because the people are friendly. I like doing the crafts and being with my friends. Getting to interact and help people when they need it. I like how everybody gets treated the same, whether they are young or old. It would probably be a whole page if I could think of every reason why I like coming here.” -- Amanda
“I received a phone call from an elderly lady we assisted telling me she didn’t know how the people managed before faith and action became a part of the community. That dear soul passed away in March but I take great comfort knowing that we made her last few months much easier for her.” -- Sue
“I am here because I have four kids and a husband and myself and we only have one income and just need a little extra help with food. I have one child with health problems and two additional temporary people living with me.”
“I like coming here because the people are friendly. I like doing the crafts and being with my friends. Getting to interact and help people when they need it. I like how everybody gets treated the same, whether they are young or old. It would probably be a whole page if I could think of every reason why I like coming here.” -- Amanada
“The furnace works GREAT! We don’t have to worry about it leaking or us or the kids getting sick! Thank you. What a blessing Faith in Action has been; we just can’t thank you enough.” – Young seniors who had recently been granted guardianship of two grandchildren and living, by necessity, off grid on a Class 4 road
"An elderly Vermont farm wife became seriously ill, and was given only months to live, but her secret wish was to attend ‘one more Seniors’ Adventure Morning’. Almost 2 years later, on her birthday, dressed up in her best black dress, in her husband-powered wheelchair, she returned to her beloved seniors program and friends. Now with over three years past, her needs have helped spawn our handiwork social program, as she and her husband are more attentive and appreciative of each other than ever."
“I want to thank you so much for the good will money you don’t know how much this help me and my two sisters. We had so much fun it was what we needed our mom just up and left us it has been so hard Dad is doing the best but there was no way he would have got us school clothes our Aunt Cindy made it a fun day we did cry but it was happy one she took us shopping and out to eat and to Walmart to get the personal things we could not get at the good Will. I really don’t know what to say but thank you so much our Aunt Cindy has been here for us day and night to help us get through this I hope we can make it as hard as it is.”
"An elderly man recovering from both a hip replacement and an emergency heart bypass was placed in a local senior living facility at Christmas, with only his unfilled prescriptions. Our volunteer brought his medicines, provided a phone and checked on him, filling that gap until agency services became active, and then helped with car and truck repair issues. We transported him to numerous medical appointments and continued to support him until he was well enough to move to a more desirable (to him) large community in western Vermont."
Because my mother now walks with a walker, having a ramp is absolutely necessary as a safe means of exit for her to be living at home again. The ramp has replaced the wobbly old steps that used to be outside the front door and were not safe for anyone, much less a frail, 85-year-old lady. Since much of my mother’s money got spent on nursing home costs, the Faith in Action program was a financial blessing for us, as was the fact that we were able to use a recycled ramp for parts of the structure and thus save on building materials. I love the spirit of community and neighborliness that the Faith In Action program embodies. To me the ramp is more than just a wooden structure; it is a work of art and, as I said to you in person, a godsend. Thanks again for everything.”
- Lucy
“FIA gives me the opportunity to meet with a group of people and relate. It keeps my mind open to things going on outside my home. After attending a meeting with the Group, I always come home thinking “oh, gosh what fun,” and I like feeling that I can participate in some way. FIA gives me a feeling of belonging; which you don’t find a lot these days.”
-Pauline
“Surprise! Surprise! It came as no surprise that a warm, fuzzy feeling of doing good accompanied each trip I made for Faith In Action, driving folks in need of a ride for various errands and appointments. It was a feeling I guarded against, however, because ego should have no part in volunteering to be Christ’s hands (or tires!) in this mission. What did come as a surprise blessing was the overwhelming feeling of gratitude and contentment in my modest circumstances and humble home as I saw the living conditions of some of the folks who called for rides. A thankful heart for all I have been blessed with has been a gift I received for sharing so little with those who need so much.”
-Nancy
"At a recent 5,000 lb food distribution, an elderly amputee told our local volunteer leader, “We will never forget what you did for us last winter.”. Our community volunteers had patched the leaking roof of their trailer, jacked up and resupported the falling bathroom floor, fixed windows and plastic-wrapped the entire trailer and small addition against the wind and snow so they wouldn’t freeze to death. Happily, they are now in a rent subsidized apartment."
“I took a Food Share box to a woman with many children whom I felt could do with a little extra help. I was delighted that I stopped by. As she stood there with tears in her eyes telling me that the food would make a huge difference, it made me feel humble. Thank you Faith in Action for giving me the opportunity to volunteer.”
- Patrick
"One middle aged wheelchair bound man, whose wife had just suffered a stroke, called to see if there was any way we could help cut up four cords of tree length firewood. It seems his 85 year old father was wearing out trying to do it himself. Thanks to our caring volunteers, the firewood was all cut and stacked in less than a week. We work tirelessly, to find ways to meet needs, not excuses why they can’t be met."
“There are pockets of us who are feeling so alone and without anyone, topped all over the mountains of Vermont. Faith in Action is going around and un-tucking us one by one. Now I have someone.”
-Eva
"When an active but longtime MS patient took a sudden painful turn for the worse we organized long-term daily visits, phone check-ins and advocated for improved medical coordination and expanded services. After many difficult months she was able to be out and active and again attend Senior Adventure Mornings."
