We were delighted to recently induct 41 of our amazing volunteers into Interfaith Social Services’ Matti Lang Hall of Fame. The volunteers were honored at a virtual Volunteer Appreciation Night on August 12. We were also able to recognize local healthcare staffing company IntelyCare as Interfaith’s 2021 Community Partner of the Year for their exemplary commitment to volunteerism.
Volunteers are the heart and soul of Interfaith’s programs, and the Hall of Fame recognizes those who have served at Interfaith regularly for at least one year. The Hall of Fame is named after one of Interfaith’s most dedicated volunteers, Matti Lang, who gave decades of his life selflessly serving Interfaith’s clients.
This year’s honorees include: Braintree residents Anna Wilson and Peter Wilson; Cohasset residents Kim Donohue and Amy Sorensen; Hingham residents Amy Beitler and Jody Heaton; Hull residents Cat Bryant and Theresa DelGuidice; Kingston resident Carrie Sylvester; Plymouth resident Silvana Zakrzewski; Quincy residents Rich Brandi, Jennifer Carter, Anna Marie Conneely, Marie Connell, Amanda Crabb, Gayle Davidson, Julie Driscoll, Caitlin FitzGerald, Maddy Gabor, Christine & Patrick Jaehnig, Kathleen Kelly, Donna Larkin, Joe Leason, Jane Murtagh-Smeglin & Michael Smeglin, Bill O’Neill, Nancy Powers, Kathy & Walter Rust, Jory Schwartz, Nancy Walty and Barbara Wray; Rockland resident Britni Verrocchio; Scituate residents Natalie Ahern and Jennifer Matkin; Sharon resident Rhonda Prokos; West Harwich resident Eric Brown; and Weymouth residents Roberta Ferguson-Gregg, Amie Peloquin and Cindy Urmston.
Many of these honorees came to Interfaith at the start of the pandemic in 2020 during a particularly challenging transitional period. As lockdowns commenced and businesses closed doors, nearly 60% of our regular volunteer force needed to pause their service. After calls out to the community, a new group of volunteers stepped in to help keep our essential food pantry services going.
“We’re so grateful to the volunteers that assisted us in a vital time of need and continue to show up each and every week to serve on the front lines with us,” said Interfaith’s Director of Development Paula Daniels. “Because of them, we’ve been able to keep Interfaith’s programs operational and make sure none of our neighbors go hungry or lose hope. It was wonderful to be able to honor and thank all our volunteers for their service at the volunteer appreciation event.”
At the event, volunteers picked up dinner from the Bon Me food truck parked at Interfaith’s building and then headed home to join a virtual meeting and trivia game.
In addition to the Hall of Fame induction,we also honored our 2021 Community Partner of the Year, IntelyCare. This award honors businesses or organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to volunteerism.
IntelyCare has been a partner of Interfaith since December of 2019. Since then, their volunteers have donated more than 250 volunteer hours to Interfaith. They had a significant role in our 2021 Stop the Stigma Virtual 5K event, both sponsoring the event and putting together a team of 23 employees to take part in
the virtual race. IntelyCare has donated food to the Thanksgiving program as well as toys and holiday gifts for the children we serve.
“When the pandemic hit, all of our monthly corporate volunteer teams had to pause their service with us,” said Daniels. “All except for IntelyCare. IntelyCare stayed on the front lines with us and continued to send amazing volunteers to help in our pantry once a month to assist us with the growing numbers of families coming to us for food. Every time they come to volunteer, they go above and beyond to help us with whatever challenge we are faced with on that particular day.”
Teresa Drisko, Director of People & Culture at IntelyCare, accepted the award on behalf of the company.
“We, as a company, feel honored to be a part of an effort to give back to our local community and drive positive change wherever we can,” said Drisko. “We are humbled to support and donate to an organization that supports and uplifts our communities.”
Volunteers at Interfaith Social Services commit to a three-hour shift per week. Shifts are available Monday-Friday, between 9:30am and 7pm. Opportunities include working in the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop, filling orders for clients in the food pantry, staffing the front desk, and stocking and inventorying the pantry.
Those interested in volunteering at Interfaith Social Services are encouraged to contact Paula Daniels at 617-773-6203 ext. 28 or pdaniels@interfaithsocialservices.org.