Fun for everyone! A theme that community member Amy Haberman takes seriously, and she puts her time and talents to work to achieve it!
Since 2021, Amy Haberman has volunteered with Connections, a local nonprofit that plans social events for people with developmental disabilities here in the Yankton area. Connections hosts monthly social events for clients served by Ability Building Services (ABS) or any persons with a developmental and or physical disability. Amy’s role involves coordinating fundraising efforts, setting up and tearing down events, purchasing food and supplies, and making contact pertaining to special event needs. Her role is challenging, but she does it all so willingly.
Because of Amy’s commitment to our community, United Way & Volunteer Services of Greater Yankton was honored to present her with the September 2023 Volunteer of the Month Award.
Lois Halbur of the South Dakota Humans Services Center, who nominated Haberman for this award, shared that, “Amy has many 'connections' across the community, recruiting her colleagues and friends to volunteer! One of those recruits is now Board Chairperson for Connections. Amy has an amazing DOMINO EFFECT for VOLUNTEERISM, as her greatness leads to additional goodness!”
We asked Amy to share more about her volunteerism, in her own words:
“I was born and raised in Yankton, I moved to Massachusetts for a year and nannied, then back to Yankton, Now I am a transplant in Crofton Nebraska but, tightly connected to my hometown happenings.”
“I began volunteering as a young adult, with a church group, each person had “adopted a Grandparent” and we would go visit in the nursing home individual that family did not ever go and visit. It was heart breaking but made me feel good helping her and giving her joy.”
“I volunteer at “Connections” we are a nonprofit that provides monthly events for individuals with physical and mental disabilities. I also volunteer to take a group of older ladies to many of the summer concerts, shopping, etc. One of the gals has lost her sight, and a couple of the others have had health issues, and they are unable to drive/ambulate, etc. Additionally, I take a gentleman that used to volunteer at The Clothing Closet, which I used to manage, to do some errands every 2 weeks. I am skilled at computer work, so I willingly help anyone in need access the necessary online resources that they find challenging to locate. I work hard at trying to be approachable and help where I can promote and mentor my workplace. I also have been a contact for the VFW/HSC and the inpatient Veterans. I’ve worked with Yankton Rosary Club members, setting up and receiving the “ringlet rosaries” they have created for our HSC patients.”
“Volunteer work is enjoyable because I feel good about helping others. It gives me an opportunity to meet wonderful people in my community and I have built lifetime friendships volunteering.”
“Advice I would give to others contemplating volunteering in their communities? I would say, just get out and do it! I have always despised that wording, “woulda, shoulda, coulda.” Volunteering is very rewarding, and I understand everyone is super busy these days, but really if you can’t afford to forfeit a couple of hours a week or month to share your talents you will never know what you’re missing out on, lasting friendships, joy in your life and purpose!”
Thank you, Amy, for all you do.
To learn more about local volunteer opportunities or to nominate someone for United Way’s Volunteer of the Month Award, please visit www.yanktonunitedway.org/volunteer, email info@yanktonunitedway.org, or call United Way of Greater Yankton at (605) 665-6766.
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