Erma Bombeck said “Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love for one another.” That quote definitely describes the 170 volunteers who support the mission of Cardinal Services.

Cardinal volunteers give their time and talents to us in an endless variety of ways. They work in our offices, classrooms, special events, and committees. They help people in their gardens, take them out into the community, and give our families financial advice on how to provide for a loved one.

Recently, I walked into a classroom where a volunteer was painting the ladies’ nails for them. She had brought in a few different colors based on her friendships with the ladies, and understanding of what they would like – and she was pretty much spot on! She spent a couple hours that day giving the ladies manicures and making them feel pampered and pretty. Another volunteer comes in specifically to play checkers with a young man he met on a recent tour. They huddle over coffee and go at each other once or twice a week.

Volunteers have an enormous impact on the health and well-being of not-for-profits. Volunteers enable Cardinal Services to:

• give a person an extra bit of individual attention
• help children with self-care, enabling teachers to spend more time teaching
• keep records well organized
• keep the buildings and grounds in good condition
• support the staff to be able to do more even as funding cuts result in fewer employees
• benefit from accounting, planning, human resource, entrepreneurial and legal expertise
• share the mission, services and purpose with the public
• raise the extra funds needed to keep the services afloat

We are deeply grateful to our 170 volunteers, those who give us their best and expect nothing in return. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization and one of the reasons that Cardinal Services is healthy, vibrant, and meeting the needs of so many people. We would not be able to do it without volunteers.

Cardinal Services’ Board of Directors is made up of 15 volunteers who share a commitment to the mission of Cardinal. Together they bring a diverse array of expertise to the management and vision of the organization. Pictured in the photo above: front, from left: Anita Kishan, Mike Bergen, Peggy Michel, Bill Winn, Joel Wihebrink; back: Jon Goss, Jeff Thornburgh, Brent Wildman, Penny Brown, Nick Deeter, R.J. Hall; not pictured: Kim Finch, Rob Patrick, and Mark Umbaugh.

For more information on Volunteering at Cardinal Services, visit www.volunteerkosciusko.com or call Linda Bruss, volunteer coordinator at 574-371-1312.