The Indiana Family Care Center would not be able to operate without our faithful volunteers, especially the Thrift Store. When we are blessed with volunteers that return week after week they become family. Our 2023 Volunteers of the Year are definitely family.
Our Thrift Store Director, Amber Rice, shared this about our recipients.
One evening in the spring of 2023 as I unloaded a very large donation off of the box truck at the Thrift Store, I looked up and waved and said hello to a neighbor standing outside her apartment. I remembered her from a women’s group we both were in at church a couple years back.
She was with a man I would soon know. I asked if she could help me with a large box and before I knew it they both were unloading the box truck with me until it was empty!
After that evening, I would see them in the Thrift Store shopping or stopping in to talk and soon she became a permanent volunteer and scheduled every week.
He started coming in to see her while she volunteered and anytime there was a need such as loading furniture, unloading bags of clothing, or just a cup of coffee, without asking he would help with what was needed! With time he became a volunteer and scheduled to volunteer at the same time as her.
Through their volunteering, building of friendships, and prayer we have seen him complete and overcome obstacles from his past, gain a job, join a church family, and ask her to be his wife!!
She is as graduate of Place of Grace, has recently accepted a position with Place of Grace, been accepted to Indiana Wesleyan and said, YES!
The IFCC is able to commit to our community because of people like them. He is always willing to offer time, strength, a smile, or conversation without asking for something in return.
In January 2024, when we opened our Emergency Housing, these two volunteers were the first to volunteer to cover overnight hours.
They have given over 250 hours each in less than a year at the IFCC.
We are thrilled to call them family and thank Eric and Stephine for serving our community and being a big part of the IFCC Thrift Store.
