It seems like many days are riddled with disheartening news, but I wanted to share just the opposite. I work as a volunteer with a group called the Open Table, the Open Table concept is based on a Team of individuals who work together (Network Table) to respond to specific needs of individuals or families, this Model is designed to respond to people in need with empowerment and encouragement by utilizing our (volunteers) own strengths and talents as well as those within our social networks. Open Table originated in Phoenix AZ, Roanoke VA just began its inaugural year of “Open Table” in 2022. The people/families we try to help are called “friends” we learned of a “friend’s” need near Clifton Forge, unfortunately, the current volunteer members of the Roanoke Network Table didn’t have strong connections to the Clifton Forge and Covington communities so we just started calling organizations that might be able to assist with our friend’s need which was lawn care, this individual has some challenges (don’t we all) both physically and financially, the friend is able to budget for some funds to cover mowing but not all ….that is when wonderful people in your community stepped up …. the Covington Masonic Lodge voted to help our friend by subsidizing the portion of the lawn care cost that couldn’t quite get covered for the remaining portion of this year AND an additional commitment for one-month subsidy was offered by one of your local churches.
What a huge difference we can all make in the lives of those around us, a tremendous burden was lifted for this person (our friend) who just needed a little help. Kudos to these caring & generous individuals from your community.
Thank you,
Wendy Gilbert, Volunteer with Roanoke VA, Open Table Network
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