Recap of Volunteer Appreciation Evening 2013

On Tuesday, June 25, LSG volunteers and their families gathered at the Atlanta Community Food Bank to celebrate their service with LSG. The guests began the evening with a tour of the Food Bank’s 125,000 square-foot facility and learned about the dire need of some of Georgia’s citizens: this year the Food Bank collected 45 million pounds of food to distribute to agencies that feed people in need. It was an urgent reminder of the importance of volunteer work in Atlanta’s ongoing fight against hunger in the city. It was comforting to know at least that this work is in good hands with the Food Bank and their many committed partners, including LSG.

But it was ultimately an evening of celebration. After the tour, everyone got some food and awaited the presentation of awards. Each volunteer who was recognized for his or her service to LSG received a plaque created by students in LSG’s after-school program in Clarkston. Displaying an imprint of a painted “hand” on a ceramic tile, the Hands of Hope, Healing, and Strength plaque was hands down a better award than any paper certificate!

From volunteers with Refugee Services to those helping out with the golf outings, LSG honored people who contributed to the agency in many different ways. Bob Gibeling was recognized for his former work as Volunteer Coordinator of LSG. The three members of Lutheran Volunteer Corps who work for LSG received a “hand” for their service, as did the Hunger Walk Captains for their fundraising efforts. Greg Bickhart was recognized for his work with LSG’s Foundation for the Future Golf Outing. After several others were honored for their contributions to Refugee Services, LSG recognized Rev. Robert Strickert and Mrs. Eunice Strickert with the Elsie Guenther Volunteer of the Year Award for their innumerable acts of service over the past 30 years. Since Rev. Strickert retired from LSG’s Board of Directors in May, it was a fitting way to say thank you to these dedicated members of LSG’s family.

LSG thanks all its volunteers for lending a hand to people in need during 2013! We also thank the Atlanta Community Food Bank for letting us host our appreciation event at their facility. We look forward to seeing you all at next year’s celebration of your service!