"I think of volunteering as food for the soul. It builds community around a common purpose of serving others. Very few things in life provide a truer and deeper sense of joy and fulfillment."
April is a special month for us at The Lighthouse of Houston as we join the nation in celebrating National Volunteer Month. This month-long celebration is dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the invaluable contributions of volunteers who selflessly give their time and energy to make a difference in our communities. Within this month, we also observe Volunteer Appreciation Week from April 20-26, a time to place a spotlight on the inspiring figures whose acts of kindness through volunteering are bettering the world around us
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.” – Helen Keller
The Importance of Volunteers to Our Mission
At The Lighthouse of Houston, volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. Their dedication and passion are instrumental in supporting our mission to enable and empower people who are blind or have low vision to realize their full potential. Our volunteers assist in various programs and services, from health services and assistive technology resources to community support programs and vocational skills training. Their efforts help us create inclusive communities with accessible resources that support personal and family well-being, learning, development, and employment.
A Message of Gratitude
We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our volunteers. Their contributions have a profound impact on the lives of those we serve. Jenna Dhayer, our President, expressed, “Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, and their dedication and hard work are essential to our mission. Their selfless contributions allow us to provide invaluable support with the blind and low-vision community. We deeply appreciate our volunteers’ tireless efforts and unwavering commitment. Their compassion and generosity inspire us all, and we are incredibly grateful for the positive impact they make every day.” Kim Colburn, our Board Chair, shared this message in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, “As we celebrate volunteer appreciation month I would like to offer a heart felt thank you to all of the amazing people who generously give their time and talents to the Lighthouse of Houston. We are so blessed to have such loyal and caring people help us achieve our mission.”
Volunteer Impact
Our volunteers’ experiences and feedback are a testament to the meaningful impact they have on our community. In 2024, The Lighthouse of Houston had over 190 volunteers, including individuals, groups and companies who invested their time to support worthy causes.
“I love volunteering,” said Karen Petty. “I’m retired I worked a full career and retired as a Director of the low vison program at the VA here in Houston. I wanted to still have a little something to do so, I volunteer here once a week and willing to do whatever they have for me to do.”
Join Us in Celebrating
As we celebrate National Volunteer Month and Volunteer Appreciation Week, we invite you to join us in recognizing and thanking our volunteers for their incredible contributions. Their dedication and hard work are what make The Lighthouse of Houston a beacon of hope and support for individuals who are blind or have low vision. We encourage everyone to take this opportunity to express their gratitude and support for volunteers in their communities.
Sarah McDowell, Vice President of Finance at BP, shared her thoughts:
“I thought the Beeping Easter Egg Hunt was an incredible event, and everyone here at BP who volunteered feels the same! I’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback: the new indoor events (games were well thought out and the puppet show captivated the audience!!!) was a fantastic addition and the organization of the volunteers was much appreciated, so THANK YOU! You and your team should be proud of the day – I know it took a lot of effort to put it together, but the results were definitely worth it!”
Thank you to all our volunteers for your unwavering commitment and passion. Your efforts are truly making a difference, and we are honored to have you as part of The Lighthouse of Houston family.
