Volunteers: A Legacy of Service

Volunteers play a vital role in St. Vincent Catholic Charities’ (STVCC) success. Whether they serve on our Board of Directors, our as mentors at our Children’s Home, or in Refugee Services, they fulfill roles that assist our mission of performing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy to our clients.  In the past year, 157 individuals volunteered on a regular basis with our agency. All deserve special recognition. But there is one individual whose sacrifices to this agency perfectly demonstrates the selflessness of our volunteers. That individual is Pat Hepp.

Pat originally started at the agency in 1979 as an employee, leading to roles as Director of Refugee Services and serving as Interim President (1997-98), before retiring in 1999.  Even after retirement she couldn’t bear to stay away, and she quickly became a volunteer.  Pat eventually joined our Board of Directors in 2007, where she is concludes her third and final term and 9 years of service this month.

Employee to Volunteer: Pat’s Continued Service

Pat has always been willing to help in any way imaginable, and shares her time, talent, and treasure to those in need.  She has been instrumental in increasing our fundraising efforts, serving as the Chair of the Development Committee, working closely with our Director of Development, and always finding a way to introduce new individuals to our agency each fall at our annual Guardian Society Breakfast.  Pat has been instrumental in providing management and direction for the agency through her time on the Executive Committee.  Additionally, she and her husband Ralph provide frequent gifts to the agency as members of our Guardian Society. This group helps ensure the future success of the agency through their generosity.

Pat’s generosity reaches beyond STVCC. She’s volunteered with Meals on Wheels, Zona, and P.E.O., served as a Spiritual Eldering Facilitator, and is very active at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing. Pat still plans on staying involved with St. Vincent Catholic Charities. Yet she also plans to use her free time with her husband of nearly 54 years and her 9 grandchildren. She hopes to spend time perfecting her garden, starting new woodworking projects, and hitting the links at our local golf courses.  Although Pat will be retiring from our Board, she has left a legacy that staff, board members, and volunteers will carry on for years to come.  Thank you so much for your 37 years of service and counting!

Volunteers by numbers:

• 157 individuals provided 16,847 service hours to STVCC
• 46 groups gave 1,008 service hours to STVCC
• Volunteer service hours were valued at $411,915