This week’s Featured Volunteer is Christine Essary. Check out our Q&A with Christine.

How has Volunteer Odyssey helped with your volunteer journey?

I became familiar with Volunteer Odyssey years ago. My first contact with the organization was through my workplace where I coordinated a corporate volunteer effort as our company’s Community Investment Manager. We successfully used the platform in 2015 as our employees signed up for volunteer opportunities through the YMCA.

Can you tell us about your volunteer experience at YMCA.

This volunteer event at that YMCA was the first time I participated in a community food distribution directly seeing and serving the families in need. I have volunteered regularly with the Mid-South Food Bank for many years but those efforts are more behind the scene.  YMCA partnered with the Mid-South Food Bank for this food distribution day, so it felt familiar.  In one day, three volunteers served 500 lunches, and provided double meal portions in most cases, to help feed families through the weekend. We were able to see a lot of the children and families being impacted as the cars drove through the lot of the Cordova YMCA caravan style.  It was beautiful to see the many families receiving the meals with such a sense of gratitude.  It made my heart smile!

A specific moment that touched me was a mother who pulled up in her minivan and only needed enough meals for her family of four.  She mentioned that she could pick up more meals for the children in her neighborhood and would be glad to distribute to them. We ended up loading 50 meals in her van. It was evident to me that we are all just trying to help one another and make a difference, just by loving and serving one another.

What are some lessons that you’ve learned from volunteering in Memphis?

I’ve learned how amazing and gracious people are- I’ve especially noticed the generosity of the folks in our city. There are a lot of places to give your time, energy, and money. I love Volunteer Odyssey because you can pick things that are meaningful and stand out to you, not to mention there are so many opportunities to choose from in general. Volunteer Odyssey really sorts it out based on your interest and makes it super simple. It is easy to spend an hour somewhere, but when it’s meaningful and touches your heart, it means so much to the person you’re serving. Selfishly, it brings me so much joy and satisfaction of making a difference in one person’s life. Anyone I speak with who doesn’t know what they want to do, I always send them to Volunteer Odyssey. The volunteer options are endless!

How has volunteering impacted you?

Volunteering was instilled upon me at a very young age. I was lucky enough to be able to see the love of serving others through the way my grandfather served- he helped me understand that it was part of who we are as a community. We would visit a nursing home every Sunday after church and my grandparents would sing and spend time with the elderly. The joy of giving to others and seeing their smiles has always stayed with me. I raised my daughter the same way- serving together always brought us closer and kept us grounded. There is so much to be grateful for. Volunteering gives you hope and compassion that you can in turn share with someone else.