Individuals Paying It Forward

In addition to my volunteer pursuits with Project Linus NJ, I work in Volunteer Management here in NJ. I am the Referral/Placement Cooordinator for the Volunteer Center of Monmouth County. One of my favorite networking groups, DOVIA (Directors of Volunteers In Agencies) is comprised of volunteer coordinators and directors that network, brainstorm, workshop and support each other in the nonprofit sector. Imagine the amount of caring and good work that stems from this 55 member coalition!

At yesterdays monthly Exec. Board meeting for DOVIA (I am currently Membership Chair) a wonderful Pay It Forward story resulted....I didn't expect to have a "new" story to share so quickly but here it is. Hillary Roberts

DOVIA Pay It Forward Hillary Roberts, Membership Chair

Each month at the DOVIA (Directors of Volunteers In Agencies) Executive Board meeting 8 women who work at varying non profit agencies come together to plan programs for the betterment of the overall 55 general members to attend during the year. It's a great two hours of ideas, experiences, volunteer stories and learning. It's often the forum for many a pay it forward tale.

At yesterday's meeting the following agencies were represented: 4H Youth Cooperative Extension at Rutgers, Manna House, Project Linus NJ, Inc., The Volunteer Center of Monmouth County, Abuse and Substance Prevention Alliance, ARC of Monmouth County, MCDSS-Friendly Visitor, and MCDSS-Reassuring Caller.

As we all settled in, grabbed our moring cup of coffee and a bagel, stories began to surface. One minute 4H is mentioning yarn and fabric that arrived for a youth workshop that is not being used, Project Linus NJ is talking about volunteer crocheting and quilting instructors available to teach and Manna House is identifying the blanket and pajama needs of it's youngest residents living at their group home. In those few seconds, a workshop engaging young people utilizing donated yarn and fabric and ultimately supplied to fragile babies was formed.

Pay It Foward...in 3 seconds flat!