Supporter Corner
by Jason Strecker
Dear friends,
For my first official column for the new Arundel House of Hope newsletter, I would like to speak about a volunteer group very special to myself and to the guests, staff and volunteers of Arundel House of Hope (AHOH). As a previous volunteer and staff member and now a current day supporter of AHOH, I see how special the service of Solley United Methodist Church volunteers is for guests, staff, volunteers and other friends.
For three years now, Solley volunteers and supporters have faithfully donated and made a monthly trip to AHOH to serve hot meals, deserts, snacks and an endless supply of love to our fellow human beings who are struggling. Since 2021, Solley volunteers have been serving meals for between 30 to 50 guests on every third Thursday of the month. This is a respectable and incredible show of dedication.
Regular Solley volunteers at the Day Center over the past three years have included my long time friend Cindy and her sister Debbie, Debbie’s husband Jeff and their friends Ramona and her husband Reggie, along with Linda, Liz, Irma, Delores, Pastor Kate and Cindy’s son’s girlfriend Jess. Former AHOH Day Center and Winter Relief Program Director Karen Biagiotti attends each month, continuing her service to AHOH clients and also serving as a mentor to the Solley team. Volunteers and donors remain humble with no regard to recognition for their selfless service. But I’ve made it a mission to recognize their kindness and appreciate the opportunity to tell a little of their story here.
Yvette Norman, herself a previous staff member of AHOH and now a current day volunteer of support group Together says, “Having the church here means a lot. It gives a sense of equality to people and makes them feel important about themselves. Solley United Methodist serves up to 50 people with a whole full course meal with sides, salads, desert, snacks, waters, sodas. There’s a feeling of family and it’s what we as people want to feel. It brings people together, getting to know each other more personally and brings on feelings of gratefulness.”
That is just one of many quotes I’ve heard coming out of just the last year of Solley volunteer’s service. As an avid admirer of Anne Arundel county’s homeless resource centers and churches, quotes like those from Yvette show the impact of acts of kindness. While some may see food as what brings a guest in to a homeless resource center, it’s much more than that and it is the fellowship received that keeps people coming back. Along with support from Together volunteers and the staff of AHOH, the Solley church members live their faith and the actions that were basis of the founding of Winter Relief in 1992, of being called to “do something about homelessness.”
Sincerely,
Jason
Arundel House of Hope Volunteer/Staff 2008-2010
