Warren Hedden’s two daughters were both burned out of their homes in the same year and it prompted him to do something. Now, five years later, he’s climbed the volunteer ladder at After the Fire, a non-profit organization that helps fire victims with basic necessities and helps put their lives back together. But Hedden and his wife, who live in Clifton Park, are the only volunteers available to directly respond to fires in southern Saratoga County, so the organization is constantly looking for more.
One way it hopes to attract volunteers and spread awareness about its mission is by participating in Clifton Park-Halfmoon Library’s first volunteer fair on Sunday, April 18.
We have about 11 active volunteers and there is always room for more. Some are very new so it’ll be awhile before they can have a pager and have been to a few fire scenes. There’s many different facets where people can help out, like we have someone that fields voicemail, others work as correspondence and some respond to fires, said Hedden.
After the Fire only services Saratoga County and relies on donations and fundraisers to remain afloat. Hedden said he hopes the fair will alert people to the organization’s work, which he views as imperative and part of the community’s duty.
`We’re just average people who donate our time and talents to help fire victims through a difficult time; assure them they’re not alone and we’ll be there as long as needed,` said Hedden.
The organization provides emotional support, information, referral resources, a care package with toiletries, donated clothing and even one night of free lodging at an area hotel. After a few weeks or months, volunteers check back in with the victims to see how they’re doing, help them find furniture or offer information about important things that sometimes slip their minds in a stressful situation, like insurance.
Hedden said being right at the scene of a catastrophe is eye-opening and what keeps him coming back to help even more.
`Every fire is different, most are very emotional and we try to calm the homeowners down and reassure them that everything will be alright. It seems like the end of the world at the time, but everyone comes back from it and as long as they wren’t hurt, that’s the main thing`everything else can be replaced but lives can’t,` said Hedden.
While emotionally draining at times, Hedden said it’s rewarding to know you’re helping someone in their time of greatest need.
Finding more people willing to lend help and support is why Ann Cocca, organizer of the event, came up with the idea. She said the library hopes to target people of all ages looking for a reason and way to volunteer.
`We have a number of people come into the library that are newly retired and say they’re not sure what to do with their time. We also receive a lot of requests from students who want to help out at the library or need community service hours for clubs at school or scout troops. We can accommodate some of them but not all, so this has been sort of percolating for awhile,` said Cocca. `I thought this would be the perfect venue to bring those two parties together.`
With nearly all facets of society feeling the effects of a downturned economy, non-profit organizations are particularly hard hit with slower funds or declining volunteers. Meals on Wheels is a national organization that provides meals to low income seniors, many times run through a community’s local Office of the Aging. Michael Flynn, communications director for Meals on Wheels Association of America said volunteerism has noticeably declined in recent years, especially since many are seniors themselves.
`Some of our programs are really strugglingit’s a double-whammy for programs because they’re also dealing with rising food prices,` said Flynn, who cited a recent survey which found 20 percent of seniors are at risk of hunger. `One of our directors just told me they’ve lost some of their retired volunteers who’ve gone back to work out of financial necessity. There are others he has lost who are the usual `snow birds,` older volunteers who routinely head to warmer climates for the winter and then return in the spring.`
Cocca said she sensed the decline in volunteerism and wanted to provide another outlet for non-profits to build up their ranks.
`We’re hearing how organizations have to be more creative. People in general are falling on harder times and looking for these resources. They send out press releases and have articles written but you don’t get this very often, where you bring a number of organizations together so people can shop for one that would be a good fit for them,` said Cocca.
About 26 local organizations are slated to set up post at the library, though Cocca said that number could grow if more respond. Some there will be Relay for Life, CERT, HOPE`Homes for Orphaned Pets Exists, Operation Adopt a Soldier and Prevention Council.
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