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Since April was volunteer appreciation month, we love to think about the many in our hometown who spend many hours daily, monthly, and yearly to help our community and its citizens in so many ways. Their gifts of time, energy, and compassion are priceless.  Individuals who volunteer sometimes learn new skills and gain knowledge about their community they did not know before.  They meet fellow citizens they never knew before and now have new friends.  What a blessing that is.

Let me tell you about one such instance. At The Book Shelf, a used bookstore on Atlantic Street, it is staffed primarily by volunteers. The bookstore is the fundraising arm of the local Literacy Council, a non-profit organization which helps individuals who do not have a high school diploma to earn an equivalency diploma. The books there are donated by members of the community and the volunteers sort the books, shelve them, and help customers find just the book they were wanting.

There are about 30 volunteers who keep it going under the tutelage of its manager and assistant manager.

So on Monday mornings you will find two volunteers manning the store by the names of Penny and Jo. They are both retired teachers and have been good friends for many years. Jo has served on the Council for many years, and was quick to volunteer when the bookstore was opened. She suggested to Penny that she should volunteer there as well and it would give them a chance to spend some time together. Penny joined her, and they have been faithful and dependable volunteers ever since. And you know how good friends are; they are always wanting to help their friends when they think there is a need. Penny and her husband had a long and happy marriage until he became ill and passed. Jo and some of their other friends also had another friend, Wayne, who had been married a long time but lost his wife to cancer. They thought it would be good for Penny and .Wayne to meet each other. Both Penny and Wayne had grown children and grandchildren as well.  Friends convinced Wayne to go to the bookstore on a Monday morning and casually meet Penny.  For some reason, it just so happened that Penny and Jo were not at the bookstore that day. But Wayne persevered and returned another Monday and met Penny. They talked a bit, he bought a book, and then left.  Of course, the friends had given Penny’s number to Wayne, so a few days later he called her and invited her to go out to dinner. After dinner, they decided to go to a movie, and the one they wanted to see was sold out, so they went to another one and said it was the worst movie they had ever seen. Penny had called her daughter before that evening to tell her their plans.

Penny said to her daughter, “When he takes me home, should I invite him in or not?” Her daughter replied: “Heavens no, Mom! He might be a serial killer!” Hence, Good night was said at the door when Wayne took Penny home after their first date. The relationship persevered, and they were married several years later at First Christian Church where Wayne had been a lifelong member. Their children served as attendants for the ceremony at the joyful celebration. And now Wayne is an occasional volunteer at the bookstore as well! And Penny and Wayne will be celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary this summer. They are so thankful that their friends made sure they met.

So, you never know what new doors will be opened for you when you volunteer: new friends, new skills, and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping others.