Volunteer Spotlight


 

“Tithing my time.” When most people hear the word “tithe”, they think in terms of giving a portion of one’s income. For Shirley Gerber, our featured volunteer, she describes her volunteer time at Save & Serve as giving a portion of her time, or a “tithe” of her time.
Shirley has been actively volunteering at Save & Serve for the past ten years. Her volunteer role has changed over the years and recently has included doing some of the bookkeeping for the store. (An interesting side note: Shirley’s sisters volunteered at the former location on South Mad Anthony, and the sisters used to bring along Shirley’s daughter – Jenny Hofstetter, our current Soft Goods Manager.)
Volunteers may recognize Shirley as the person behind the greeter’s desk near the volunteer entrance of the store. Phone calls, paperwork, ordering of supplies are all things that Shirley provides to keep Save & Serve running smoothly.
Customers may recognize Shirley as the person who calls them to advise that they are the top bidder on an item from the silent auction. Save & Serve has on ongoing rotation of unique and collectible items which are placed in the front cabinet of the store. Shirley keeps Save & Serve’s bidder information up to date and organized.
Shirley’s hand is also involved with the care for prom dresses. The dresses are collected throughout the year in anticipation of the annual display of these dresses. Shirley evaluates the dresses, checks to see if they need cleaning, and makes sure that they are in excellent shape for customers.
It’s clear that in Shirley’s “tithing of her time”, she enjoys the fellowship with all the other volunteers and managers. She describes her experience as “rewarding” and “fulfilling”. And Save & Serve’s mission is furthered through the giving of her time.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) “Each of you should give what in your heart you have decided to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”