Christine Kwitchoff and Michael Reid started volunteering with Emmaus on a sunny Sunday in July a few years ago and have never looked back! They started off co-hosting the Rocks Village rest stop for our Cycle for Shelter event.
“I was just so impressed by the event and the staff and we both wanted to do more,” said Christine.
The couple connected with our Volunteer Manager and learned about Emmaus’ plan to distribute food, personal care items, and diapers to our clients at the D’Youville Center for Social Justice on a weekly basis. Through helping at the Center, Christine and Michael were able to integrate their interest in healthy eating with volunteering. The pair has volunteered at the D’Youville Center since the fall of 2014.
Christine and Michael especially love connecting with the clients. Many, said Christine, come in weekly and the couple enjoys getting to know them.
“Their sincerity and gratitude are very humbling,” said Christine. “I just feel that our presence each week gives the clients a sense of continuity and they look forward to seeing us and we look forward to seeing them.”
Christine also volunteers for Budget Buddies, a financial literacy program designed for women. Emmaus partners with Budget Buddies to offer classes to its clients.
“All these women just need a chance,” she said.
Over the years, Christine and Michael have also met many great people while volunteering at Emmaus. In fact, Michael has forged a close friendship with Terry, a retired gentleman who also volunteers regularly during food distributions.