With isolation brought on by COVID-19 lockdowns, 2020 was a challenging year for Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas, as well as those it serves. But, VIA Director Linn Hogg told those attending the 2021 Volunteer Recognition Banquet Sunday night that they rose to the challenge and grew.

The banquet was canceled last year due to the pandemic. Hogg said it was nice to finally see everyone’s faces again.

“In a year where the population was forced to step back, and people were confined to their home or had to speak through windows, our volunteers stepped up,” she said, addressing approximately 60 volunteers gathered in the Barton Community College Student Union. “Not only did you step up, but you found creative ways to help people.” 

Volunteers masked up, gloved up, sanitized and then delivered, she said. “You delivered meals, rides, groceries, food boxes, emergency kits, thank you boxes and smiles.”

They cleaned up parks and neighborhoods. They worked with the homebound, disabled, children and those in need. 

“You did taxes, helped people with insurance, worked blood drives and helped 30 other non-profit agencies fulfill their missions,” she said. “Today, we honor all of the volunteers that have been very incredible people.”

The number of volunteers registered with the agency went from 300 to 458 over the year, thanks to varied recruiting efforts. Their ages ranged from 7 to 92.

These individuals brought a return on investment of over $6 for every $1 spent. This is based on the money spent in recruiting and training volunteers.  

“When asked, this community stepped forward,” Hogg said, noting this is not the case everywhere. “We take care of our own. That says something about small, rural communities.”

Continuing to grow

“As a volunteer organization, we have not been sitting back and resting on your accomplishments,” Hogg said.

First, they have been renamed AmeriCorps Seniors in an effort to be more recognized. “We still have an RSVP program, but it is under the name AmeriCorps Seniors,” she said.  

To help the community better understand all that they encompass, they will hear the agency referred to as Volunteers in Action with an AmeriCorps Seniors program. They were given funding to help with this re-branding effort for the purchase of recruitment items to help the program expand its volunteer base. 

In addition, “our staff has been working over the last year to become a Service Enterprise,” Hogg said. “Growing toward this designation has helped us to refine the value of our volunteers as well as giving our volunteers the chance to grow and excel where they serve.” 

A Service Enterprise is an organization that strategically leverages volunteers to achieve operational efficiency and greater social impact, she said. This means that not only are they working to achieve a bigger impact within they agency, but helping all of the  non-profits in the area do the same.  

“How will we do this?” she asked. It will involve better training and better access to training, more ways to register for volunteer opportunities, more access online, and more connection to the community. 

They will also work with other agencies to help them increase the roles volunteers play in their organizations.  

Barton Community College sponsors the program. Hogg said she feels blessed to have the support and guidance from the college. 

“Because of them, we have been able to help many people across Barton and Pawnee counties.”