GoochlandCares Celebrates Volunteers During National Volunteer Appreciation Week

During National Volunteer Appreciation Month, GoochlandCares recognizes and thanks over 400 volunteers who support GoochlandCares’ mission to provide quality health care and basic human services for Goochland residents in need. GoochlandCares relies on volunteer support to help staff the majority of the twelve critical assistance services. In 2017, volunteers gave 19,128 volunteer hours to GoochlandCares – a value of over $515,690. Throughout the week of April 15-21, GoochlandCares will celebrate volunteers with special treats, client testimonies, a fun gathering, and more. One client wrote, ‘God bless the volunteers who help with kindness.’ GoochlandCares appreciates its volunteers every day, but National Volunteer Week is dedicated to honoring all volunteers as well as encouraging volunteerism throughout the year. If you know someone who volunteers their time with GoochlandCares or at any other organization, be sure to thank them for the work that they do for the Goochland community. Hundreds of volunteers helped GoochlandCares move from four locations throughout the Courthouse area into the one new building at 2999 River Road West this past January. Volunteers were instrumental in getting the building ready for clients to access all twelve services. From picking up food to setting up the Clothes Closet to moving equipment into the Clinic’s examining rooms, volunteers worked many hours for several weeks. One volunteer commented, “I’m proud to be part of this team. Clients now can get all the help they need in one place.” “Because of our volunteers, most client services remained uninterrupted during the move. In the new building, our volunteers’ commitment to helping out neighbors in need allowed us to expand Food Pantry hours to five days/37 hours a week to serve more clients than ever, and to be at the front desk reception area at all times during business hours,” remarked Sally Graham, executive director of GoochlandCares. “Our volunteers are the heart of our organization. We simply cannot fulfill our vision to provide our comprehensive care services for nearly 1,600 residents without our vast volunteer corps.” Visit GoochlandCares any day of the week, and there are volunteers donating their time and talents. They are stocking shelves in the Food Pantry, sorting donations at the Clothes Closet, taking blood pressure at the Free Clinic, answering and making phone calls. Not only do individuals contribute, but also groups from universities, schools, churches, organizations, and corporations volunteer with specific projects. Local churches provide dinners for staff while the building is open late on Tuesday evenings. Performance Food Group donates turkeys and sides for Thanksgiving and sends volunteers to help distribute. Capital One sends volunteer teams throughout the year. CarMax teams help in the Food Pantry and Clothes Closet and have committed to a service day in June. There are many ways to be involved at GoochlandCares depending on schedules, interests, and talents.
  • The Clothes Closet, our thrift store in Goochland for Goochland, has openings for volunteers to help sort, hang, and price donations.
  • The Food Pantry has volunteer openings throughout the week to help collect food, stock shelves, distribute food, and organize food drives.
  • Licensed medical professionals are needed at the Free Clinic.
  • Dental professionals are needed at the Dental Clinic.
  • Skilled volunteers are needed to assist with critical home repairs.
If interested, please fill out the volunteer application at GoochlandCares.org or call 804.556.0712.