HOWARD COUNTY SALVATION ARMY VOLUNTEER LUNCHEON 2022
Early June of 2022, The Salvation Army of Howard County (which doubles as a thrift store boutique) held a Volunteer Luncheon at Libs Grill located in Ellicott City. What’s special about this luncheon is that this is the first time, since the pandemic, that many volunteers even saw each other face-to-face. Hugs, conversations about past volunteer moments, and even light-hearted humor glued members into reminiscing about the early days of the service center.
Around 40 to 50 volunteers attended this special occasion, and many wore florals, flowy dresses, and trim casual wear. A little unknown fact about the Howard County Service Center is that it’s entirely run by volunteers. Many of our volunteers have amassed over thousands of hours of working the cash register, sorting clothes, assisting customers, and with providing light guidance to clients on picking out clothes, kitchen wear, and baby essential items. Each volunteer is deeply impacted by the mission to help all people.
Moreover, several keynote speakers for this event highlighted the inner strength, confidence, and cohesiveness, Howard County Service Center volunteers embody. “The Salvation Army of Howard County’s volunteers are famous in the Southern Territory for basically running operations on a daily basis,” said Eric Mueck, Development Director who also doubled as emcee for the event. Mueck not only thanked volunteers but highlighted how Howard County Service volunteers spread The Salvation Army’s mission past state lines.
“The freshest strawberries that are grown are genuinely sweet. This wonderful cluster of volunteers embody wildly grown strawberries. Whom shares a humble mission and shares its fruits to so many people in need,” said Ted Simon, Director of Planned Giving while he was walking around the group, providing a sermon of gratitude to each volunteer. In between tears of gratitude and joy, Sue Hunt, Director of The Howard County Service Center declared her deep care and thanks for all volunteers. “You all make my job so much better and more rewarding. I am so blessed to know all of you.” Closing statements for the event were made by Major DeeAnn Glick, who tied how volunteers daily contributions also communicate God’s love and goodness for all people.
All of this talk of ‘Doing the Most Good’ compelled the crowd to ‘Eat Some Goods’. Lunch was comprised of grilled chicken, asparagus, salad, steaks, and mashed potatoes. A large chocolate and vanilla cake frosted in red with the word “Thank You” was the spotlight of the meal. This cake doubled as gratitude for the volunteers’ contributions and as a birthday cake for Barbara Adams, a volunteer who manages volunteers in the back room. She’s also one of six volunteers who was recognized for being an Early Pandemic hero, who risked her life during the early days of the COVID pandemic to work the frontlines at the Howard County Service Center. Along with Barbara, the Early Pandemic Heroes list includes: Betty Szeliga, Bonnie Clarke, Francis Colvin, Julie Bates and Julie Harping.
Sue Hunt, Director of Howard County Service Center, also individually recognized each volunteer with an award, inspiring words, and an alluring, red, gift bag full of goodies.
