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Old Dominion Job Corps Students Volunteer with “Gleaning for the World” Monthly and As Needed

Old Dominion Job Corps Students Volunteer with “Gleaning for the World” Monthly and As Needed

 Old Dominion students collect donations at Kroger for GFTW

ODJCC began this Rewarding Relationship in January 2011

By Jeanne Vaughan, Old Dominion Job Corps Business Community Liaison

On January 10, 2011, Kyle Goldsmith, Project Development Coordinator for “Gleaning for the World”, called and asked if Job Corps students could help out with collecting donations for community projects sponsored by GFTW. The locations and times were confirmed with facilities such as Kroger grocery stores in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Certainly I recognized the name “Gleaning for the World” and knew they were a charitable organization that helped those in need but I did not realize how this organization has impacted the world. Ron Davidson started “Gleaning for the World” 13 years ago in the basement of his Mother’s house and his brother’s garage. The organization had humble beginnings but has a goal of reaching half a billion dollars worth of supplies shipped in 2011. “Gleaning for the World” does what it can in the local community to assist people out of work and struggling with job loss and reduced income while still responding to major disasters in our country and around the world.

 GFTW has been recognized as being one of the most financially efficient and effective charities in America. GFTW uses 99.6% of every donation in the programs to serve the needy whether it be feeding children or providing medical attention to the sick. They are there for every disaster from the earthquake in Haiti last year to the devastating tornados in the mid-west and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. If there is a need, GFTW will contribute to the recovery of the people in the devastated areas.

GFTW is an organization I wanted to see Job Corps students learn about and be able to perform community service for on a regular basis. On several Saturdays, I and another staff member took turns transporting students to several locations in the Lynchburg area to collect donated baby supplies for area families who were in need. Shortly after our first volunteer activity, we had Mr. Davidson and Mr. Goldsmith visit our Center to meet the Center Director and tour our facility. These events led to ODJCC committing to a scheduled day each month for our students to contribute to the efforts of GFTW at their warehouse facility. We have 12 trades on Center and this allows each trade to have a day. Our students gain an opportunity to contribute to a wonderful organization that does their part to assist those in need around the world.

 Our students have sorted medical supplies for distribution in areas hit by tornados, sorted clothing for individuals who have lost everything, collected funds and incidentals to assist local parents with baby supplies, collected funds and sorted medical supplies for the Japanese who lost so much when the earthquake and Tsunami hit their island, performed landscaping duties around the GFTW facility, and sorted and packaged personal hygiene items for distribution to our troops overseas. Whatever the need, we assist. We are also on call to assist them if they have an emergency and need assistance at the warehouse. Sometimes this occurs when they receive donations and need help getting them organized.

Our students enjoy the opportunity to go off Center and, most of the time, want to continue their volunteer activities while an active Job Corps student. Of course, this may open the door for students who determine they want to continue this type of volunteer work for the rest of their lives.

 Students are made aware that volunteer work is excellent information to be included on a resume. Employers like to see that a future employee has concern for others and is willing to give of themselves for those in need. This kind of person is looked upon favorably when decisions are made on whom to hire.

Electrical Instructor Brinkley & students sort donations

Landscaping students worked hard moving rock

Medical Assistant students Rashawn Hanberry & Bernice Mc'Tier sort medical supplies

 

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