Today we are hosting a “Volunteer Appreciation Dinner” to thank all the volunteers in our town who have facilitated the Out of the Cold dinners over this past winter. BBOOTC (Bracebridge Out of the Cold) offers two dinners a week through the winter, one at the Legion and one here at BUC, and weekly lunches at Knox Presbyterian church through the summer. It takes a host of volunteers to provide a weekly meal for up to 60 people. The BBOOTC Steering Committee tried to think of the best way to say Thank You and it seemed that a dinner would be a fitting way to say thanks for all the dinners that were provided for others through the winter months.
I know that many of the volunteers do not provide this service in order to be thanked – in fact being thanked is not a motivation at all. They do it because they believe in discipleship and service. In fact at church last week one of the regular volunteers thanked the church for providing this opportunity to serve. I also know from comments I have received from those who come to the dinners that these weekly meals are gratefully received not only because of the delicious food that is offered free of charge but also for the opportunity to eat with others and share a meal with friends. The diners are aware of the work required to shop, cook and serve a meal and they appreciate the effort of the workers who make the meals happen.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most important question is, “What are you doing for others? We serve ourselves best when we serve others.” Service is a basic tenet of our faith. Jesus, often encouraged his followers to reach out to others with love and care. Our community revolves around service – many of our congregation volunteer at the hospital, canvass for charities, drive for different agencies as well as give their time to church activities. Many people benefit because of their devotion to service and I know the giver benefits as well.
