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MOM couldn't sing without its volunteers
Middleton Times Tribune - May 3, 2007
by Carole Klopp, Middleton Outreach Ministry
Over 400 of 950 total MOM volunteers hold down a regular shift of one kind or another—front desk, pantry shifts, clothing closet, data entry. Given that large number of regular volunteers, it’s always difficult to identify a “volunteer of the year” for consideration at United Way of Dane County’s Community Service Awards banquet (held this year April 26 at the Madison Concourse Hotel).
Previous MOM nominees the last five years include: Andrea Flickinger and Carla Hasse (2006); Barb Purcell, Laura Bloomenkranz and Elsie Eddy (2005); Gaye Sicari, Roxanne White and Jim Edsall (2004); Jonne Fleming and Chris Van Haren (2003); Connie Ott and Howard Young (2002).
This year we honor the outstanding efforts put forth by the mother/son team of Cynthia Liu and Thomas Mulholland. Cynthia and her 7-year-old Thomas have been volunteering for Middleton Outreach Ministry for four years. What is so unique about this family duo is their level of involvement, commitment and creativity.
Both Cindy and Thomas regularly volunteer at the MOM Food Pantry, stocking shelves, sorting food, and assisting clients. Thomas has made it his special mission to relate to the children, although he just as comfortably helps adult clients, as they select the right food or clothing for their family’s needs. He has also mentored other children who come with their parents to volunteer at the Food Pantry.
But Thomas has taken his commitment to a different level, all on his own. For the past three summers, starting when he was four years old, Thomas has set up a lemonade stand to raise money for MOM. The first year, the stand was simple—just cookies and lemonade. He also made a shirt and sign and posted himself outside the MOM office when he thought he’d get the most street traffic. The second year, he enhanced sales by writing letters to local TV stations. The third year, Thomas found more traffic—more people in need of lemonade and even more funds for MOM—by setting up his lemonade stand on the bike path near his home.
His handmade poster invited bike trail users to “Help the MOM Food Pantry! Lemonade and Cookies $.25 each.” In a friendly and assertive way, Thomas made sure every bike trail traveler heard his invitation. On several occasions, Thomas effectively told the story of how MOM’s Food Pantry helps families, and how easy it would be for many people to help others out!
Each year Thomas set a financial goal for himself. This past year his goal was to bring his 3-year total raised to $1000; he brought in $1,111.43. Perhaps this doesn’t seem like a very large feat to be recognized for, but we know of no one else out there, at six years of age, spending the time, sitting in the heat, all to give away the money earned to a non-profit. But that’s exactly what Thomas did.
Cindy Liu has also volunteered her time with MOM at the Food Pantry, while supporting her son’s involvement. Just as importantly, she served as chairperson of the MOM ChristmasFest dinner, held at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Middleton and open to all on Christmas Day. The logistics of planning a meal for nearly 400 people is significant for any cook, but this meal is prepared and served by more than 130 volunteers. All the food is prepared (off site and on), so juggling those donations is an organizational feat. Cindy took the task on eagerly and the dinner was a wonderful celebration of community and caring!
MOM arranges for many of our clients to attend this festive event, especially those who are homeless or alone and without means to have a meaningful Christmas dinner and celebration on their own. However, the dinner is also attended by regular MOM volunteers, as well as general community members. The hours spent organizing, contacting, and on-site supervision are enormous—tasks that Cindy excels at!
And guess who else was at the ChristmasFest Dinner, also volunteering his time? Thomas could be found in the children’s activity area, playing with younger kids and assisting with all the activities.
Cindy and Thomas are but two examples of a huge corps of MOM volunteers who regularly bless us. We applaud your efforts, one and all.
And Middleton Outreach Ministry applauds the efforts of ALL our volunteers. This coming Tuesday, May 8, our volunteers have been invited to the annual Celebration of MOM Volunteers. If you’re a MOM volunteer and haven’t RSVPed yet, please call Carole at 826-3409 or email at carole@mompop.org to let us know you will be coming.
While we celebrate the gifts of Cindy and Thomas with this nomination, we also want to celebrate the giving of all of our volunteers – for without you, MOM just wouldn’t sing! We look forward to seeing all of you on the 8th to say a big Thank You for all you do – for MOM and our community!
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