Every year, our staff nominates and votes to select four truly outstanding volunteers to honor at our Love in Action Gala. Here are this year’s winners:
Sue Capone: Sue is always kind. Even when she is going through her own hardships, she is still here to help and serve others. Even through her husband’s stage IV cancer treatments, she is still delivering emergency boxes and loving her neighbors as a Cupboard Ally. She shows her neighbors how much she cares with revolutionary kindness. When Sue’s 92- year-old neighbor wanted a particular can of beef stew, Sue went out of her way to find it. When she found out the company no longer made it, Sue made beef stew herself to give to this neighbor. Sue says we always make her smile and even laugh. She feels uplifted here in our presence, which is the same thing we feel when she is here. Sue is loved by so many, and has a contagious kindness.
Michele Pollard-Coons: We have been fortunate to have Michele as an amazing volunteer, showing kindness and understanding to all. Not only has she stuck with us through new chapters, but she has also immersed herself in Getting Ahead for workshops, prep, and helping support meals. She wants to always learn and engage more with our community while also showing and expressing her story with Common Heart. Michele has been a faithful volunteer with all aspects of Common Heart: pantries, economic empowerment, and community engagement events. Michele displays above and beyond kindness, engagement, and leadership. She is always involved and does not seek recognition. Her only goal is to help serve those as she feels that all people should be treated fairly, honestly, and kindly.
Amy Russo: Amy embodies service. She leads our Board of Directors with passion and care, particularly for our staff. She is our resident dessert baker, bringing joy through sweets to our staff, volunteers, and greater community. She works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure Common Heart runs smoothly every single day, on top of working two jobs and being an active part of her church community at Threshold Church. Amy loves big, and is incredibly loyal. She is an advocate for those she cares about, and is always working to invite more people into this small revolution of kindness. She is one of the greatest champions for Common Heart that we have. Amy has been going above and beyond for years, and almost never receives recognition for her work. She is passionate about Common Heart and encourages us all to feel the same.
Diane Vega: Diane has a servant’s heart & embodies love in action in everything she does. In the 10-12 hours she gives us every week, she spends it getting to know others, baking their favorite treats, & making sure to care a little extra when sorting through the perishable groceries like fruits & vegetables. She helps the other volunteers have an amazing experience. Diane is a regular. Not just a regular volunteer, but a regular presence in the pantry. In addition to working hard to pack food for our neighbors, Diane does everything with a huge smile on her face. She’s a joy to chat with as she toils away doing whatever task is needed with the mission in mind at all times. Diane has stayed late & come in early. Diane’s spirit embodies everything that Common Heart is. Most recently when she had family in town, rather than cancel her shifts, she brought her brother in to help out in the pantry. It speaks volumes that she would want to bring her family here to work and visit with them.