A Volunteer’s Perspective: What it’s like to volunteer in the office.
Dorrie Riley, Linda Lowell, and Maryann Luongo.
According to Dorrie Riley being an office volunteer means getting up at 4:30 in the morning, driving an hour to drop my friend at work, completing my daily to-do list, and then driving to the Waltham office—all while maintaining the biggest smile on my face that I have had in a very long time. “Volunteering at the MS Society has changed me and my life for the better. I plan on coming back as long as possible!!”
“I started volunteering for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society by accident, and it was the best thing that could have happened to me. I haven’t had a job since 1999, when I worked at a temp agency. I didn’t make very many friends because I wasn’t at one job for very long before moving on to another one. In the past few years, I’ve made some changes in my life, and in September 2011 I started walking regularly. This past March I wanted to do something for others; I knew I wanted to help people. I registered for the MS Challenge walk. From this I then started volunteering in the office once a week.
Linda Lowell claims she volunteered for a selfish reason, her need to be with people who want to help people. Unemployment and depression had isolated her. “Entering the MS Office, the energy engulfed me! The spirit was infectious! I worked in the Volunteer room where I met two shy strangers.” Led by Brenda, always letting us know the importance of our work, we three bonded fast. Between stuffing envelopes and all the joke/story telling going on we became Brenda’s “Call Girls” and good friends. Being a “Call Girl” means that we get called when there are projects to be done. The laughter in that volunteer room is loud. Very Loud!
Maryann Luongo participated in the MS Cape Cod 3 day 50 mile Challenge Walk in 2011 with a friend who has MS. She was so inspired by the walkers she met. Their stories touched her heart. The staff and crew were amazing. The walk was an experience she will never forget and one that changed her life. “After the walk I got the “calling” to be a Nun? Oh no even better a “Call Girl”. Call Girls help out in the MS Office. Since I started volunteering in the office I have met wonderful people and have become best buddies with three other “call girls” we have a blast! We chat, we laugh, we support each other, but most importantly we are helping find a cure for MS.”
Office volunteers with Associate VP of Volunteer Development, Brenda Barbour,
from left: Maryann Luongo, Brenda, Linda Lowell, and Dorrie Riley
