Downtown Mission thanks volunteers

By Maureen Mariampillai

The Downtown Mission will be hosting an appreciation dinner on April 16 for its volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

The mission is a non-profit organization which provides services to those who are in poverty and are struggling with homelessness. Celebrating 40 years of service to the Windsor and Essex County community, Mary-Joe Kovacs, coordinator of volunteers, said it’s the help of the volunteers that keeps the mission running.

She said because the mission has such a wide variety of volunteers coming through their doors the skills they bring to events and programs are invaluable.

“We have a very small staff at the Downtown Mission and we will serve throughout the course of the year, with our various programs, over 150,000 meals. So the day-to-day operations of this are only do-able and achievable with our volunteers.”

Kovacs said there is no one common thread of any volunteer except for their generous hearts.

“They’re the kind of people that think of others and reach out with not only their generous hearts but their helping hands,” said Kovacs.

Volunteering at the mission for about 12 years, Jack Hillis said he enjoys working with the staff, volunteers and members. He started out volunteering one day a week and now comes in twice a week.

“I know their stories and some of them have come across hard times and they don’t really want to be here … but they have no choice and I’m glad to be able to serve them,” said Hillis.

Program director Dino Salvador said the event will provide dinner and entertainment for mission volunteers and will provide the members and staff an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the work the volunteers do.

“The membership realizes that there are people in Windsor and Essex County that do care about them and want to share their own goods and services.”