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“Hope” is the thing with feathers –
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops – at all –
—Emily Dickinson
Volunteers with World Relief Wisconsin know first-hand that community service creates a hope-filled cycle of giving and growth.
Diane Vantassel, a retired high school English teacher living in Grand Chute, began driving refugees to meetings and appointments last fall. She is happy her volunteer work helps to fulfill this crucial need for transportation.
“Volunteering has been good for me to get out of my comfort zone,” she said during a recent Volunteer Appreciation reception. “I thought World Relief’s training was really good. They don’t just talk the talk. They walk the walk.”
Kalina Davis, the Fox Valley’s church and community engagement manager, said volunteers are a crucial component of World Relief’s work, with 178 of them serving as the hands and feet of Jesus throughout Wisconsin last year.
“Volunteers represent those in our community who are actively helping to create an environment of welcome, and they go beyond what our programs can do. We truly believe in the mutual transformation that can happen when volunteers build relationships with our newcomer neighbors, and it’s beautiful to see this happening in practice every day,” Davis said.
Vantassel fondly recalls one especially beautiful moment in a waiting room.
“I brought a girl and her father to an appointment, and while they were getting checked in, she became fascinated with a family of four kids who were also waiting at the front desk and playing with a small feather from a down coat.
“They would let it go and watch it fall over and over, and when one of the kids, a boy around 8 years old, saw the girl watching, he handed her the feather and they continued to play with it.
“The adults in the waiting room were all amused by how long this small group of kids stayed enthralled with the feather.
“Finally, after about 15 minutes, the family left. As he was going out the door, the boy turned back and gently placed the feather on the girl’s fingertip, turned around, and left.”
The moment has stuck with Diane ever since.
“That young boy exemplified the values World Relief stands for: kindness to strangers, willingness to share and active inclusion, regardless of language, race or background,” she said. “It was such a precious moment, and it gives me hope for our future.”