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Vanceburg View
An Update From the Director
of Glenmary's Volunteer Office
September 2004
September brings change to the Glenmary Farm--a new crop of Farm managers and a transition from the high school groups that dominate the summer schedule to the return of the college groups. It also brings change in Lewis County, too, as the kids return to school and await the always-exciting school fair. This time of transition allows our new managers to get acquainted with the all there is to having a successful year at the Farm.
Thanks, Rebecca; hello new managers! This month we're saying goodbye to Rebecca Coomer who has finishes her term as a Farm manager and is moving on to new things. I would like to thank Rebecca for the time she gave us. Rebecca served the Farm with passion, joy and with faith. She was always there for the volunteers with her quirky sense of humor. I want to thank her not only for her passionate faith but for her open heart, love for the dogs and, most of all, for her time as a Glenmary Farm manager. I hope Rebecca's future is filled with Christ's light.
The first person to answer the call to service for 2004-05 was Ed Koch. Ed helped with the program this summer and has decided to stay for the full year. Ed is from New Castle, Penn., and is taking a year off from his studies at Gannon University in Erie, where he majors in Spanish and psychology with minors in math and women's studies. Ed, a convert to the Catholic faith, is passionate about his faith and about social justice issues. Ed says his faith brings him to serve in Kentucky and that one cannot have a good relationship with God unless one has a good relationship with people.
Valerie McDaniel, Bay City, Mich., joins Ed as manager this year. Valerie graduated from Loyola University of Chicago in April with a degree in music and minors in biology and women's studies. In her spare time Valerie likes to go to concerts, movies and the theater, and she loves to keep in touch with friends. Valerie came to the Farm in March 2002 and found the experience so moving that she wants to provide the same for future volunteers.
I am still looking for a qualified third person to join Ed and Valerie. If you are interested in a year at the Farm, call 606-796-3421 or drop me an email, volunteer@glenmary.org . Snail mail works, too: Joe Grosek, Glenmary Volunteer Director, P.O. Box 7, Vanceburg, KY 41179.
PSHH adds a third crew. In other exciting Farm news, People's Self-Help Housing, the home construction group that we serve, has added a third crew, so volunteers will be working with some new folks from Lewis County. PSHH hopes to finish three houses a month, for a total of 35 to 40 houses each year for low-income folks in Lewis County.
Things have changed for the crews of People's Self-Help Housing with the departure of long-time employee James Kwolik who moved to Wisconsin to take a new job. James guided volunteers as they helped with construction, and he'll be remembered for his kindness and patience.
Grant for Boys and Girls Club. The Harmany Foundation has received a grant from the 21 st Century grant program for the Lewis County Boys and Girls Club. I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped us with the renovation of the Harmany House. I think this new club will be a great boon for the community.
I know it's only fall, but if you know of a family that would be interested in "Family Week 2005," which will take place next summer, you might start planting the seeds now! You can also read about this year's family week.
Peace,
Joe Grosek
jgrosek@glenmary.org
And
if you missed previous Vanceburg Views,
check them out.
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