2013 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Volunteers are a huge part of everything that happens at the Union Gospel Mission. They devote countless hours in service to the poor of our community. And so, every year, UGM hosts a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to thank these faithful servants of God. When Director of Volunteers Greg Barclay started at UGM, there were only 50 high-impact volunteers. A short eight years later, over 350 men and women are serving as receptionists, mechanics, landscapers, caseworkers, counselors, child caregivers, lawyers, doctors, nurses and more. Greg takes this event very seriously and is always on the lookout for new ways to honor these individuals who give selflessly throughout the year. 

This year’s dinner followed the theme of God’s Heart/Your Hands. Several residents spoke about the impact volunteers had on them personally. “It is very meaningful to the volunteers to be personally shown by residents the impact they have,” Greg said. “The work of God’s heart is brought to the residents by the hands of the volunteers, and the residents' testimonies are proof of that.”

Shelly Peterson, UGM front desk administrator, not only attended the event but also won the UGM Team Builder Award. “It was a huge honor to get,” Shelly said. “I was shocked because I didn’t expect it.” One of Shelly’s favorite awards of the night was the Full Circle Award.

The Full Circle Award is given to men and women who went through UGM's Recovery programs and, following graduation, come back to the ministry to give their time as volunteers. This award displays the true results of life transformation. These men and women first came to UGM in brokenness, and now they are back to help those  who are in the position they were once in. “I saw some of these people when they first came to the Mission,” Shelly said, “and then to see them accepting their awards with pride and heads held high, I was in awe. It was incredible.”

Dave Wall, Director of Marketing and Communications, has been with UGM for over 20 years. He said the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner is always a highlight.

“Many of those who serve do not like the recognition,” Dave said. “They are humble and often prefer to serve without affirmation.” However, in addition to saying thanks, this event is an opportunity to gather all the volunteers in one place and share the bigger picture of what they really are doing.

“I love seeing people get surprised by the award they receive,” Dave said. He also has a true passion for what the volunteers do. “I think people who give their time are amazing,” he said. “It is one thing to give money, but to give up your personal time, that is amazing.”

~ Elisabeth Roginski, UGM staff writer intern