Stefan Schweizer has volunteered through Volunteer Odyssey for the past four years. He began when he first moved to Memphis and was having trouble finding volunteer opportunities he could trust. “I was new to Memphis and didn’t know anyone. I wanted to start volunteering here but couldn’t find nonprofits who needed volunteers or had volunteer opportunities I trusted. Then I found the Volunteer Odyssey website and their information and videos helped me know what to expect so I felt comfortable signing up for a nonprofit I had never been to before.”

The first volunteer opportunity Stefan discovered through Volunteer Odyssey was with Urban Bicycle Food Ministry (UBFM) and he still volunteers with them to this day. “Volunteering has enriched my life and provided new perspective. The first time I volunteered at UBFM I thought ‘Oh, I’ll just ride around for an hour and give people food that will make them full for a little while,’ but after my first time volunteering and meeting the people on the street and talking with them—it really shifted my perspective on life. It makes me forget the usual business of my day and stop worrying about things. Four year later, I still volunteer with UBFM.”

Stefan said he believes volunteering is important for the community, but it also enriches your personal life, “I see where I’d like Memphis to go and I want to be a part of that. Volunteering is a way for me to actively work toward making our communities better. Also, I love volunteering because it is actually fun and it’s a great way to meet people outside of your bubble that you would normally not cross paths with—whether that is the fellow volunteers or the people you are serving.”

Along with donating your time, Stefan believes it is important to donate monetarily. “I donate to Volunteer Odyssey because I believe in their mission. I want them to accomplish their goals and I believe donating is the means to that. I trust them with my funds.”

Stefan says he believes the Memphis community needs Volunteer Odyssey, “Volunteer Odyssey is important to the Memphis community because it makes volunteering easy. I wouldn’t even know about the volunteer opportunities available in Memphis without Volunteer Odyssey. I see Volunteer Odyssey as a bridge for community members and local corporations to reach quality volunteer opportunities in Memphis.