Pat makes a difference by serving others in need

After retiring from a successful career in the airline industry, Pat wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next. A deeply faithful woman, Pat believed that serving her community was the best way that she could spend her time, especially during retirement. She resolved to dedicate herself to her community, doing everything she could to help local charities.

“I’m retired, so I can’t write big checks every year for organizations like A New Leaf. But I do have a lot of time, and a lot of skills that I know could be helpful! So I give my time, every week, to help people in need served by A New Leaf.”

“I’m retired, so I have a lot of time and a lot of skills that I know could be helpful!”

For over a year now, Pat has taken on a leadership role in A New Leaf’s donation center, processing hundreds of donations of food, furniture, and money. Thanks to her dedicated support, thousands of families served in A New Leaf’s shelters across the Valley have been provided with food, clothing, and other essential goods. 

“Being on the front lines of your community, helping people who are truly in crisis, it’s incredibly rewarding. You can’t serve food in a shelter, or give help to a survivor of abuse, and not see how absolutely necessary these services are. I stay here as a volunteer because I see my impact every day, changing the lives of real people.”

Pat knows that organizations like A New Leaf are at their best when they have volunteer support in the community. She has learned that volunteering is how connections are made between people, and how communities are able to come together. 

“By coming in every week and working with the staff at A New Leaf, I’ve gained a whole new family here. I feel at home here. I feel welcome. That’s the best part about volunteering here, is growing my relationships with other people and seeing good things happen as a result.”

“By coming in every week and working with the staff at A New Leaf, I’ve gained a whole new family here. I feel at home here. I feel welcome.”

“But I do want people to know, you don’t have to volunteer every day, or even every week. All you have to do is take some time and give back, when you are able to. That’s the beautiful thing about volunteering, it helps so much and you can fit it into your life wherever you have an opening.”

A New Leaf is deeply thankful to Pat for all of her service and support. Thanks to her dedication and time, countless families and individuals have been helped to recover from homelessness and domestic violence.