A Volunteer is a Friend

Greenville Breakfast Rotary has been working with Generations Group Homes for about 4 years.  GGH is our primary benefactor of all our fundraisers. I can’t think of a better organization for our Rotary Club to be aligned with.

Paul V. Kumler, P.E. / Greenville Breakfast Rotary

What do we get out volunteering at Generations? Time with the boys to encourage them and let them know they’re cared about... the support and love the boys (and staff) show us through conversations and thank you cards… the feeling that we have an extended family… and a place we can leave a legacy. In our hearts we have adopted a few boys… about 50 or so of them. Not having children of our own, we get to feel what it's like to be a proud parent when the boys excel and graduate the program. In two words? A blessing.

Jeff and Sandy Bowers /  Piedmont, SC    

When I first “signed up” to volunteer at GGH, it was with my ladies’ Bible Study Group.  Four of us committed to hosting a Star Party every other month. We received such a blessing from those wonderful young men at GGH, that before long we had 8-10 ladies in our group that would come whenever possible. Some of us also volunteer individually when the opportunity arises. After hearing me talk about what a great program they have there, my husband recommended GGH as a volunteer project to our couples’ small group Bible Study. We ended up working on the “Make and House a Home project” and painted the majority of the boys' housing on both campuses! Truly, if I did not absolutely have to work, I would volunteer at Generations full-time!

Karla Littleton / Simpsonville, SC
Brookwood Dare to Dream (Ladies) and Szabo Small Group (Couples)

 Volunteering for Generations has been one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences of my life. For the past 5 years, I have had the pleasure of giving my time and resources for the amazing boys and talented staff at Generations. This fantastic organization provides a multitude of opportunities for volunteers--from setting out Easter eggs to mentoring to helping out with parties and serving on the holidays--Generations is a volunteers dream because there is always a chance to help out. Nothing can bring a smile to your face more than knowing that you've made a difference in the life of a young person, especially those that are as well-mannered and appreciative like the boys here. Generations is one of the best charities in the Upstate and I am thankful and blessed to have them as a part of my life.

Marisa Marshall / Greenville, SC                                      

14 riders and 12 bikes left Greenville at 1:15 pm May 16 to arrive at Generations at 2:00 pm and 30 miles later. The weather held out for us going and coming home. A quick shower passed while we were inside, so no harm. As we walked down from the parking lot to the gym, passing by two of the houses with the boys still inside waiting - you could see faces pressed at the windows with hands shielding the sun watching us arrive. As we passed I could hear a voice from within the house - "HEY. The Harley Dudes are here."

We were greeted in the gym by Roseanne Brown, Director of Development. Roseanne took a few minutes before the boys came in to explain the what, whys, and how's of Generations. It is an amazing place that is forming boys, whose lives were interrupted, into kids again, then quickly into young adults ready to change lives and improve our world for the better.

A group of our riders took a 20 minute tour of the facilities to see where the boys live and were met by those in the house with manners we would be proud to own ourselves. All the boys turned off the TVs, stood up and greeted the guest. How many of our kids would stop watching TV and standup to greet a visitor in our homes?????  Well maybe some...

We left at 4:30 after serving 14 gallons of ice cream and a gallon of red cherries to about 40 boys and 10 staff members. Bill Holley went through about a dozen latex gloves (all sized for a ladies hand) as he served ice cream, Wilma Parks added chocolate, Carmel, and strawberry toppings, while Dan Hasson offered "sprinkles" as toppings (funny, no one wanted any of those "girly sprinkles"  sorry Dan. We each had time to sit at the tables and spend time with small groups of the boys just sharing tales and answering a million questions. We rolled about 5-6 bikes into the gym where the boys had photos taken sitting on the bikes. Cathy's trike was a hit. "Boy I bet you can't turn that one over."

I think everyone was blessed that day. I had several of our members tell me "I don't know who got the most out of this day, the boys or us. It certainly opens your eyes to the wonderful things others are being done to turn lives around.”

I want to thank all that rode that day, all the volunteers, and Generations for sharing the boys with us while giving us a day to remember. I can hear it now – “You remember when the Harley dudes came....”

This is not the end of this story . . . .

John Kelly

Harley Davidson of Greenville Club

I was pleased to attend the event (May 13th Luncheon for Second Chances), and thought that it was extremely well done. The dance presentation and speakers were very inspiring. As a school district coordinator for classrooms in group homes all over the county, I commend Generations for being, in my opinion, the most effective program and caring setting, with the highest quality of educational services, for the population that we serve.

Shannan Fastzkie / Greenville, SC
 

I have been working on two areas that I hope will benefit the young men who will become some of our future leaders and solid citizens. I have great expectations for them.

First, I am rewarded by monitoring them working on their math and reinforcing their good work habits to help build their self-esteem.  Just like Miss Karen does, I joke around with these young men in an attempt to make math class more enjoyable and hopefully something to look forward to. It is also a treat to read a good novel with the students. After all, at this age they have already learned to read; now they must read to learn.

Outside the classroom, sharing a movie with the guys at a Friday night Star Party is a hoot. Given an opportunity to award prizes is a real treat for my wife and me. We hope the young men feel good about winning a new shirt or model car.
The best part of GGH is making new friends with these great young men.

George Vest / Mauldin, SC
Retired High School Principal