Hearts That Serve

A tribute to the quiet strength, generous spirit, and faithful work of volunteers in every season of life.

Where willing hands and humble hearts meet the needs of the moment.

There is a quiet kind of work in this world… the sort that does not always make headlines, yet holds communities together like sturdy stitching in a well-worn quilt.

April is National Volunteer Month. It gives us pause to notice the steady hands and willing hearts who show up, again and again, wherever there is a need. They come in all ages and walks of life… some with years of experience, others just beginning… but all carrying the same simple offering: a readiness to serve.

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Matthew 25:34-36

In a world that often measures worth by recognition, volunteers remind us of a different standard… one rooted in generosity, compassion, and faithful action.

Today, through the words of Rolanda Pyle, we take a moment to honor them.

Thank You Volunteers!

There are so many qualities to being a volunteer

The main one is having a generous heart to want to share-

Your talents, skills, gifts, and your time

To give of oneself to help others is what makes volunteers shine!

Volunteers work in corporate, non-profit, community or even international places

With employees, in medicine, education, emergency rescue, health or with individual cases

Volunteers build houses, help the sick in hospital, repair disaster areas, mentor little sisters and brothers

They deliver meals to seniors, work as foster grandparents to help children in schools, and are community health advocates to others.

The list is too broad to name them all

But volunteers answer a much needed call

To help when and where there are needs,

And give unselfishly in word and in their deeds.

Volunteers are professionals, retired seniors, students, the young and the old

Who often come with experience along with their hearts of gold

It really doesn’t matter who or where nor does it matter how

The important thing is that volunteers are doing what’s needed now

So we celebrate all of you who volunteered

And we take the time to say thank you to all of you who care!

Thank you Volunteers, we thank you once, we thank you twice

And know you are appreciated for the rest of your life!

Rolanda Pyle (c) All Rights Reserved.

As this poem gently reminds us, the work of a volunteer is never small… even when it goes unseen.

A meal delivered, a child mentored, a hand extended in crisis… these are threads that strengthen the fabric of our communities and restore what might otherwise come undone.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

In many ways, volunteers reflect a timeless truth… that a life poured out in service is never wasted. It echoes, it multiplies, and it leaves behind a quiet legacy of care.

So as we close, may we not only offer our thanks… but also consider where we, too, might answer the call.

For there is always work to be done… and always room for one more willing heart.