Volunteers visit ForKids
Published 10:02 pm Friday, July 13, 2018
With just a few months left until the grand opening of the new Suffolk ForKids office, many volunteers have recently pitched in to help get the inside of the building set up for use.
About 10 volunteers filtered in and out on a recent afternoon, and their main goal was to help get rooms organized and start to unpack boxes.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of ForKids, and they usually have 3,000 volunteers a year helping to keep the centers running smoothly.
“We are fueled by volunteers, and that is not an exaggeration,” said Chief Development Officer Sharhonda Woods. “We hope that continues in the new center and the community can really embrace ForKids.”
The only things left to complete the new ForKids facility are furnishings, a playground and other finishing touches.
By the afternoon, volunteers had unpacked and organized the food pantry and had begun to sort out books for the Mini Mojo store. The Mini Mojo is a smaller thrift store like the one in Norfolk, and it will help store items, including clothes, books and home supplies, that can be distributed to families in need.
The help, no matter how big or small, has always been appreciated by the ForKids staff.
“We are grateful and touched. I hope they are as touched as we are that everything they do helps end the cycle of homelessness,” said spokeswoman Sarah Carr.
Woods said everyone from senior citizens to high school students has been pitching in.
While the facility isn’t completely finished, ForKids still needs volunteers, and they have plenty of opportunities available.
Those that are interested in giving time to ForKids can contact Taylor Sekeet, volunteer coordinator, at 622-6400 or volunteer@forkidsva.org.