After a series of painful, heart-breaking losses, Lori found herself searching for an avenue to renew her purpose in life. A heart for others and a desire to give back had always been a part of her, not to mention something she always enjoyed engaging in, but the busyness of life had delayed her ability to do so. The void created by loss opened just such an opportunity, reigniting her fervor for serving. In filling her time, beyond simply being busy, she wanted to fill it with something that would make a difference.

Lori found fulfillment by seeking out and getting involved with the rescue mission. Her first area of service was at our Community Dinner program, where she not only excelled at serving but sought to develop meaningful relationships with our guests. She extended great kindness to all, remembering their particular stories and their personal preferences.

One story she remembers vividly is that of a regular guest who received help getting out of their difficult situation, then later came back to the dinner program to express his gratitude. He noted to Lori that her kindness meant a great deal to him and was essential to him seeking to make the changes he needed to. This was a perfect example of Lori’s motivation for volunteering, she states, “It’s about the people and showing them how valuable they are.”

Beyond serving at the dinner, Lori also brings her passion for baking to the table. She regularly makes her confectionary delights for our guests. Lori has gone to great lengths to develop skills, desiring to produce the best possible creations (even taking suggestions from the guests to challenge her), to make the guest feel that much more special.

Lori’s “sweet” spirit has impacted the lives of our guests and her fellow volunteers alike. She is always a joy to work with, and she is always talking about her experiences with others in hope that they might want to get involved too. Her desire is for others to be blessed by the same experiences as she has. It all comes down to loving others with the gifts and talents that we have been given and Lori is a great example of this.