In November 2019, Donna Friedman reached out to Help At Your Door. Donna wanted to use her skills to give back to her community.
We were excited for her to volunteer with us! Prior to joining our organization, Donna spent years serving diverse populations across the world. From supporting deinstitutionalization efforts for individuals with autism, to helping reduce delirium in hospital patients and advocating with parents to receive educational resources for their children – Donna’s experience and knowledge of how to connect with people while fostering meaningful change is extraordinary.
Entering retirement and as a new grammy, Donna was ready to take on her next adventure. She reflects,
“Over three years ago, I began researching organizations that supported individuals in my community. Once I read about Help at Your Door, I knew it would be a natural fit. They welcomed [me] and assigned me projects that suited my personality, skills, and schedule.”
As a Help At Your Door volunteer, Donna uses her organizational and managerial skills to assist staff with their data entry, mailing, and filing projects. She also contacts clients to confirm upcoming rides and place their grocery orders. Her strong interpersonal skills shine when Donna’s on the phone; it’s more about connecting with the individuals she calls. Conversations often include favorite recipes, books read, movies enjoyed, and especially upcoming celebrations and events.
In addition to helping with office tasks and contacting clients, Donna has used her creative skills to bring cheer. For people served, she prepares birthday cards, adding a thoughtful message to individuals turning 100 years old.
When asked, “What would you say to other people who may be considering volunteering with Help At Your Door?”
Donna replied, “My decision to volunteer at Help at Your Door has been one of the best decisions I have made. The staff is always so friendly, caring, and flexible, and my interaction with each one of my clients has added so much joy to my life.”
Want to learn more about volunteering with Help At Your Door? For information about specific roles, read our volunteer webpage or contact us: 651-642-1892 | volunteer@helpatyourdoor.org. We also offer group volunteer activities!
