Volunteer Helena - Helena, Montana

Better than Reality TV - One Volunteer's Story

In the amount of time I could spend following the lives of sixteen people for three months on the reality series Survivor, I am able to bring something into the life of an elementary age child in the Helena area. For the past three years I have been a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). During my freshman year at Capital, I went, once a week, to Four Georgians Elementary School and spent my 4th period study hall and lunch period with my little sister. At the beginning of my sophmore year, I joined the after-school mentoring program at Jim Darsy Elementary School and have been matched with my current little sister ever since.

Playing games and just hanging out for an hour a week may not seem like it could have any effect on a person, but BBBS has a more profound effect than you think. The mentoring program is the most fulfilling and satisfactory activity I have ever been involved in. The fact that I am one of the most important factors in another person's life causes me to think twice when making decisions. The mentoring program has also made me a more responsible person when it comes to puttting prior engagements before personal plans. The changes I see in my little sister since I first met her give me a lot of satisfaction as well. In the future, whether it be here in Helena or in a different community, I hope to continue volunteering with BBBS. Because of my mentoring experiences, I don't think the Survivor craze could ever replace what I have been given by being a big sister.

Other Volunteer Stories

Joanne donates almost a full days work to Food Share every week – with great smiles and wonderful energy.

Joanne wanted to find a way to live more deeply the guidance of the Sermon on the Mount. “What you do to the least of these, you do to me” inspired her to start giving her time to Food Share. “I like filling boxes and putting food out in the lobby,” says Joanne. “The lobby is a wonderful resource. I think it helps people maintain their dignity. They don’t have to talk with us. They can just come in and help themselves.”

Joanne sees both sides of our work. “Seeing how generous people are when they bring in donated food brings tears to my eyes,” said Joanne.

Without volunteers like Joanne, and our generous donors, Food Share would not be able to provide the services we do to the many in need. Thanks for all you do, Joanne!

Lucille is a long time volunteer here at Helena Food Share. Four years to be exact. What keeps Lucille coming back? Well, in her own words, “I enjoy working with the wonderful staff and volunteers.” This is the third food program that she has worked with and Food Share is the most efficient and best organized. Lucille says “Everyone is so dedicated and efficient” that she can’t help but like coming in every Monday morning, “Even if it doesn't cost me $25 each time to come in.”

Lucille is also very impressed by the Helena community and the local food stores for donating their old produce and bread, and by allowing Food Share to hold food drives in their stores. “I am impressed all over the place!” “As long as there is coffee and creamer, I’ll be coming in to help.” Lucille is a dedicated, long term volunteer that makes Helena Food Share what it is; we could not function without her. She works hard and even the pain of arthritis can’t keep her from smiling. Thanks Lucille for all you do and we will keep the coffee and creamer coming.


	Better than Reality TV - One Volunteer's Story In the amount of time I could spend following the lives of sixteen people for three months on the reality series Survivor, I am able to bring something into the life of an elementary age child in the Helena area. For the past three years I have been a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS). During my freshman year at Capital, I went, once a week, to Four Georgians Elementary School and spent my 4th period study hall and lunch period with my little sister. At the beginning of my sophmore year, I joined the after-school mentoring program at Jim Darsy Elementary School and have been matched with my current little sister ever since. Playing games and just hanging out for an hour a week may not seem like it could have any effect on a person, but BBBS has a more profound effect than you think. The mentoring program is the most fulfilling and satisfactory activity I have ever been involved in. The fact that I am one of the most important factors in another person's life causes me to think twice when making decisions. The mentoring program has also made me a more responsible person when it comes to puttting prior engagements before personal plans. The changes I see in my little sister since I first met her give me a lot of satisfaction as well. In the future, whether it be here in Helena or in a different community, I hope to continue volunteering with BBBS. Because of my mentoring experiences, I don't think the Survivor craze could ever replace what I have been given by being a big sister. Other Volunteer Stories Joanne donates almost a full days work to Food Share every week – with great smiles and wonderful energy. Joanne wanted to find a way to live more deeply the guidance of the Sermon on the Mount. “What you do to the least of these, you do to me” inspired her to start giving her time to Food Share. “I like filling boxes and putting food out in the lobby,” says Joanne. “The lobby is a wonderful resource. I think it helps people maintain their dignity. They don’t have to talk with us. They can just come in and help themselves.” Joanne sees both sides of our work. “Seeing how generous people are when they bring in donated food brings tears to my eyes,” said Joanne. Without volunteers like Joanne, and our generous donors, Food Share would not be able to provide the services we do to the many in need. Thanks for all you do, Joanne! Lucille is a long time volunteer here at Helena Food Share. Four years to be exact. What keeps Lucille coming back? Well, in her own words, “I enjoy working with the wonderful staff and volunteers.” This is the third food program that she has worked with and Food Share is the most efficient and best organized. Lucille says “Everyone is so dedicated and efficient” that she can’t help but like coming in every Monday morning, “Even if it doesn't cost me $25 each time to come in.” Lucille is also very impressed by the Helena community and the local food stores for donating their old produce and bread, and by allowing Food Share to hold food drives in their stores. “I am impressed all over the place!” “As long as there is coffee and creamer, I’ll be coming in to help.” Lucille is a dedicated, long term volunteer that makes Helena Food Share what it is; we could not function without her. She works hard and even the pain of arthritis can’t keep her from smiling. Thanks Lucille for all you do and we will keep the coffee and creamer coming.

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