Q: “Do you really want to host the Volunteer Brunch?”
A: “Of course.”
On the afternoon of Friday, October 9, Pat Carvalho and her Volunteer Team - Peggy Malley, Diane Meltzer, Maryl Gearhart and Don James – cased our backyard and kitchen, checking outlets, bowls, places for sitting and cooking. Tables were set up, electrical cords plugged in and tested.
Saturday morning at 8:30am, what seemed like a swarm of yellow-shirted worker bees descended. Soon our backyard resembled an al fresco restaurant at the peak dining hour. Nighttime dew had been wiped from tables and chairs. Champagne flutes were set up, and expert mimosa maker Don was ready to go. The kitchen was animated with corps of volunteers mixing vats of batter. AV volunteer and event planner Diane Meltzer was a whirl of activity.
Finally, it was 10:30 a.m. and the gate to our back yard opened. Sixty-plus Ashby Village volunteers streamed into the yard. As they checked-in, they were asked to write something about themselves on their nametags. Several volunteers exclaimed, “We can smell waffles all the way down the block!” There were pumpkin waffles, Belgian waffles, gluten-free waffles and old-fashioned waffles, all served with Reddi-Wip (the kind you loved as a kid), fruits, nuts, syrups and butter. The volunteers enjoyed mid-morning Mimosas, raffle prizes, a competitive brainteaser contest and most important, camaraderie among circles of peers and soon-to-be friends. Guests lingered as sunshine broke through the morning clouds, and energetic tones of laughter and chatter grew louder.
And then in a blink, it was over.
With all the waffles eaten, coffee and mimosas consumed and prizes awarded, our well-fed volunteers departed. With lightning speed, dishes were washed, added people and furniture were gone, the house and yard were swept clear of debris, and our home was back to normal, as if nothing of note had happened there. It was a marvel of mobilized and dedicated volunteering, like the people it was designed to honor. What an amazing community.
Submitted by brunch hosts
Pat and Peter Sussman
Let the Appreciation Begin!
Welcoming volunteers as they arrive, Volunteer Manager Pat Carvalho and Peggy Malley
Volunteer Team members Maryl Gearheart & Peggy Malley
check in with a smile
Volunteer bartender Don James...ready to take your drink order.
Time to enjoy some waffles!
Volunteers Audre Newman and Sam Duncan putting on the waffle fixings
The Waffle guru volunteer Diane Meltzer...
taking a break from managing 4 waffle irons at once....Great job...delicious!
Member Volunteer Kris Owens aka Seattle Seahawks Fan
Board Member and volunteer Rochelle Lefkowitz
Volunteer Mara Constantine
Member volunteer Roger Newman...2nd helping Roger?
Meeting of the minds.....
(l-r) Volunteers Laura Donohoe, Alison Colgan, Sheila Diehl, Dave Krumland
Michael Krumland....AKA master of the brainteaser contest!
Now let's work on the Brainteaser contest
Office Volunteer Lula Greene, working on figuring the brainsteaser
Volunteers Liz Raymer and Pat Kirkpatrick team strategy
Volunteer Linda Jacobs aka Gracie's mom
Member Volunteers Irene Marcos and Marion Anderson
Volunteers Anna Economides, Lula Green, Liz Raymer
Connecting with peers, making new friends!
Volunteers Pat Kirkpatrick (speaks Turkish too!), Hilary Bendich
Member Volunteer MaryJo Powell & Andrea Mok Program Manager
(l-r)Hostess Pat Sussman, Roberta Pressman, Shirley Haberfeld
(Pat and Shirley are co-founders of AV)
(l-r) Volunteers Steve Tobey, Peggy Malley, Donna Wasser
A celebration of wonderful people
Volunteers Ronnie Boynton and Anna Economides
Office Volunteer Sue Diehl...and taking a MOOC! (Massive Open Online Course)
Office Volunteers Claire Heinzelman and Earll Kingston.
Office Volunteer and computer Guru Ken Frankel
Executive Director Andy Gaines thanks the volunteers for ALL they do to contribute
to the village and it's members, Raina and Jaren cheering papa on...!
Volunteer Manager Pat Carvalho revealing the winner of the
"who's the smartest of them all"...(brainteaser contest)
Connecting and making new friends....
Volunteer Howard Kirsch talks about WALK to END Alzheimer's Event
A few words from Ashby Village co-founders Pat Sussman and Shirley Haberfeld
Member Volunteer and Board Member Bob Davis
Office Volunteer and IT team Volunteer APP guru, Manuel Acevedo and son
Member Volunteer and co-founder Shirley Haberfeld
Volunteer Team (l-r)
Peggy Malley, Andrea Mok (staff), Pat Carvalho, Diane Meltzer, Don James, Maryl Gearhart (missing)
Celebration dance of the crew who made it all happen
THANK YOU!!
Photo Credits to Barbara Srulovitz, Peter Sussman and Howard Kirsch