A few years back, Carolyn Manning and I shared the same work space so I was aware of the wonderful charity she and her family founded, the Welcome to America Project. I promised her that once I retired I would volunteer with the charity and so in January of ’09 I went to the web site where I found an urgent call for volunteers for the newly started Clothes Closet. I signed up and made one of the best decisions of my life. Since then I have been volunteering every other Friday and Saturday to aid in the organization and distribution of donated clothing to the refugees. How amazed I was to realize, early on, that my volunteering was actually my gift to me.

Refugees come in all ages, sizes and needs. To witness the barefoot child leave with shoes and a smile, the young girls choosing some latest fashions, mothers with their arms full of baby clothes and the elderly choosing an item or two, are just some of the experiences of joy I’m able to witness. Through the past year I have made “friends” with many refugees who often greet me with a hug or bow. And through them I have learned to see the face of God in all peoples.

An added bonus for me is the friendships I’ve made with other volunteers. How fortunate am I to have enlarged my list of good friends and acquaintances and all the benefits that come from that. Volunteering with WTAP is an opportunity to help the less fortunate, learn about the diversity of many cultures and feel good about the world and yourself as well.