Many readers will have received a phone call thanking them for their donations to the Today for Tomorrow (T4T) campaign, which raises funds to support the Community Ministries and outreach ministries of the Diocese. Elizabeth Reicker called 200 people in May. Crosstalk asked her a few questions about why she volunteers.
How did you get started with this volunteer work? I volunteered of course. I was a member of the Diocesan Stewardship Subcommittee until 2020 and am a strong T4T supporter, so I offered to help in any way.
Why do you call? Thanking people, who are much more than just donors, is important and a best practice. I have been on Cornerstone Housing for Women’s thank-a-thon team for three years so have experience.
Last fall, at Jane Scanlon’s request, I phoned almost 300 donors who had given to T4T in 2019 and enjoyed chatting with people about their lives and answering their questions. So, when Jane offered me another list of people to thank, I said yes. I do not know how the list was generated or anything about the amount of the gift, just that everyone is generous.
What do you find most challenging about phoning? Nothing but finding time to phone. I do try to say thank you in the first sentence, so I have not been hung up on. Many messages were left also, and I am pleased that some people called me in return to say more about their church and T4T experience.
What did you enjoy most? It is always a pleasure to phone and reconnect with people whom I may have met or know from other diocesan events. These days when so many of us are isolated, having a chat with a new person is a pleasure. I have made some “new friends” across the diocese and hope to meet some of them in person.
What are your other volunteer activities? Not much these days. I miss Cornerstone, where I have visited residents at 515 for 20 years and being on the Booth Street reception desk. As part of St Martin’s Pastoral Care team, I do write or call people. I do plan to return to visit residents of the Salvation Army’s long-term care residence Grace Manor soon. I hope the Literacy Table at Parkdale United’s In From the Cold program will return in the fall, but until then everyone must continue trying to stay safe.
To learn more about Today 4 Tomorrow (T4T) please visit www.today4tomorrow.ca, or to make an online donation to T4T through Canada Helps visit www.ottawa.anglican.ca. The ministries T4T is supporting this year are featured in this paper on pages 10-11. Thank you!
“Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be.”