Volunteers.

Ben volunteers for Friendship House each week in the Food Pantry. He helps with our food pick ups and then works hard sorting and stocking food on the shelves of the pantry. Ben is a graduate of Finger Lakes Community College and began volunteering at Friendship House last year. His time with us is “the highlight of my week!” he says. If you happen to see Ben, congratulations are in order on his recent engagement. Thank you Ben, for your service to Friendship House.

Sue has volunteering in her blood! She was a regular volunteer at a Hospice in Rochester but when the Covid pandemic arrived, the Hospice limited visitors including volunteers. That’s when Sue heard a neighbor talking about Friendship House and asked whether help was needed. That was the start of her volunteering with us, right here in Middlesex, just minutes from her home. And, she’s able to volunteer more days a week.

As a retired dental hygienist, Sue is all about keeping things clean! You may see her sweeping or vacuuming right before our doors open. She’s even been known to hold up visitors to Friendship House until that vacuuming is done! Sue also does a wonderful job keeping things organized in the Thrift Shop. She suggested that we organize all clothes by size rather than have all items together on a rack for easier shopping. Remarkably she keeps everything size-organized, is very willing to help and our shoppers sure do benefit!

With his great sense of humor and a little mischief, Preacher sure brings a smile to everyone’s face at Friendship House. He’s been right here stocking shelves and unloading deliveries for as long as we can remember - volunteering for over 20 years! He says “I’m not tired of it yet! It gives a veteran a good place to go and do good work.”

It was a few years ago now that Preacher was in the middle of his volunteering work when he began to experience a stroke. Everyone made sure he was taken care of that day and hoped it would not end his Friendship House volunteering. As a matter of fact, it didn’t. With hard work, persistence and a year’s time, Preacher made it back to his regular 3 - 4 day a week volunteering schedule! That’s determination and we couldn’t be happier. Oh, and if you ask him how he came by his nickname, he’ll tell you; “Tad Lafler starting calling me that and it stuck! So much so that people forgot my first name.” And, he’s okay with that!

Have you been seeing all our Friendship House projects lately? Meet John Baylor, one of the many people behind our improvement projects! John has been our resident handyman for the past four years and has contributed his talent to our projects. John has been putting up cupboards in the sorting room, helping to spruce up the Bread Shed, hanging the racks in the new Kid’s Room and even re-constructing the thresholds in doorways so carts can easily move through. All important things for volunteers who work here and people who visit Friendship House.

John has a long history of service. He is a veteran who served in the active Army for two and a half years and then the Army Reserves for 19 years. Closer to home, he’s served the town of Rushville as a firefighter. In his spare time, he is an avid fisher and hunter, a proud dad and granddad. Rumor has it, after Thanksgiving he has been known to spend some time in a special red suit with fur trim.

Our entire team appreciates everything John does week in and week out to keep Friendship House running smoothly and make improvements where needed. It is true, we have a perpetual “to do” list for him but we also have loads of praise and thanks! Thank you John, for all your hours of service.

Lucinda is a familiar face to many in our area and brings a great sense of community as she volunteers at Friendship House. Having retired after 34 years of teaching music in the Marcus Whitman schools, she and her husband Jim have made volunteering part of their lives. Lucinda grew up in Arkport and attended Fredonia college before settling in Rushville. She and Jim brought up three children and have three granddaughters.

In any given week, Lucinda can be seen stepping into several different roles at Friendship House. One day a week, she takes up the role of cashier in the Thrift Shop - ringing up customers' thrift shop finds and doing so with a smile. On other days, together with Jim, she makes the food donation pick up and helps to stock the shelves in the Food Pantry. When those jobs are done, Lucinda is the resident decorator! It was her idea to start a community bulletin board and she keeps it up to date with information and beautifully decorated for the season. And, speaking of seasons, we know she’s already thinking about spring and planting the Friendship House flower box full of flowers and greens to provide a wonderful welcome to all who visit.

Thank you Lucinda for your dedication, time and talents!.