Category Archives: Uber Volunteers
Rochester Man and Woman of the Year!
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We could not be prouder than to be members of a tribe with these type of leaders!
The world seems upside down. When we look for leadership it is all around us, but in ways that sometimes are hard to see or understand.
Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections every once in a while. When you volunteer, you vote every time you volunteer about the kind of community you want to live in.
Listening to Gilly
Gilbert Cabral
Gilbert Cabral is our Good Will Ambassador and our Volunteers With Disabilities Advocate. He was the first volunteer to register with GiftsToGive in 2009 and has donated over 6,000 hours of his time. Gilly works three days per week answering phones, coordinating volunteers and making everyone here feel better about themselves and others. Gilbert Cabral is a bright and shining light and sets an example for what is the best in us. He truly inspires us to be better and to be more connected and loving. Last week he gave us copies of a poem and essay he wrote in 2002. We think it is even more relevant today and we want to share it with you.
“Look Beyond the first impression, The first impression is what you see on the surface. What you see is not all of me, What I see- is not all of thee. So in looking beneath and beyond the surface, We can see the good in the heart, mind, and soul.”
Vivian, Annette, 88 Barbies and 5 Kens
Every once in-a-while a photo or two arrives in our inbox that makes us smile. Sometimes we smile and are amazed. Sometimes we are flabbergasted!
This story starts with two women remarkable women: Annette and Vivian.
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Annette is an amazing woman and a wonderful volunteer. Annette takes unusual things that are donated to us, things like old Tivos or Emergency Survival Suits, that are obviously not for children, and sells them on eBay to help us pay the rent and utilities. It’s actually unbelievable some of the things that get donated! She’s also a talented photographer and records our events.
Vivian is a full-time volunteer manager. Vivian raised a wonderful family and in her retirement works five days a week helping to manage and run GiftsToGive. Running and managing is pretty much full time work. With all this going on around her, Vivian shines! She serves as a most perfect example (Martha Kay would call it “modeling”) of giving and service and helps us set the tone for being a loving and caring organization. By the way; Vivian is also Annette’s mother.
