Conviértete en voluntario
Heather Potts
Meet Heather Potts, an essential part of our Saturday crew! As a weekend volunteer, Heather greets our guests, takes their names, and assigns everyone a number to keep the line organized. Given the fast pace of Saturdays at PACS, she ensures everything runs smoothly, helping us serve as many people as possible in the limited time we are open. When she isn’t assisting with the lines and Market, Heather enjoys volunteering at various PACS events to assist with day of preparations, represent our organization, and help spread the word about our mission.
Heather enjoys being a Saturday volunteer. As a greeter, she has the opportunity to connect with people each weekend, building meaningful relationships along the way. She enjoys learning about the guests and seeing their genuine appreciation for the support PACS provides. Heather also recalled a time when a guest brought homemade rice pudding, a family recipe, to thank all the Saturday volunteers for their hard work.
When searching for a way to volunteer and give back to her community, Heather felt strongly about how many people are struggling to feed their families, whether due to rising grocery costs or other challenges. She wanted to help people access the food they need for healthier lives, and found PACS to be the perfect fit. Inspired by our mission to be the leading resource for food insecurity in the community, Heather was drawn to how PACS ensures no one is turned away when seeking help.
Heather’s advice to anyone looking to volunteer is to do your research and find an organization whose mission resonates with you and your values. When you feel passionate about the cause, your volunteering experience becomes even more rewarding. She also emphasizes that even just 2-3 hours a week can make a big impact. Her own time as mainly a Saturday volunteer is a perfect example of how every little bit can make a difference!
After almost three years of volunteering, Heather is continually inspired by her fellow volunteers. As PACS has grown, many of the volunteers have stepped up to help the organization navigate new challenges and changes. With a small staff of just 10, PACS wouldn’t be nearly as successful without the hard work and dedication of its volunteers! Heather is also inspired by her fellow volunteer Elaine Miller. Heather stated that Elaine may be retired, but has basically become a professional volunteer, and that is truly amazing.
When Heather is not volunteering with PACS, she enjoys hiking, spending time with her dog Louie, and hanging out with friends and family. She's also an avid golfer and recently organized a large fundraiser with her golfing friends to raise money for PACS! Heather is a perfect example of how anyone can make a difference, no matter how much time they have to give. As she said before, even a few hours a week can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
"The Heart of PACS" Awards
Every year, we hold a special event to express our gratitude towards the hardworking volunteers who support our mission.
En diciembre de 2023, realizamos un evento especial para expresar nuestra gratitud hacia los voluntarios trabajadores que apoyan nuestra misión. Aproximadamente 135 voluntarios se reunieron en PACS para ser honrados por su dedicación y esfuerzos.
Tuvimos el honor de contar con la presencia de varios funcionarios electos en el evento:
Senadora Katie Muth y Nikki Whitlock
Marian Moskowitz, presidenta del comisionado del condado de Chester
Peter Urscheler, alcalde de Phoenixville
La oficina de la senadora Katie Muth otorgó a todos los voluntarios de PACS el Certificado de Reconocimiento Senatorial del Estado de Pensilvania, en reconocimiento al "compromiso con el servicio voluntario en Phoenixville y las comunidades circundantes".
El alcalde Peter otorgó a todos los voluntarios de PACS la Mención de la Oficina del Alcalde del condado de Phoenixville, en reconocimiento a las “destacadas contribuciones de los voluntarios a los servicios comunitarios del área de Phoenixville”.
Un grupo selecto de nuestros voluntarios también recibió el Premio al Servicio Voluntario del Presidente de manos del presidente Biden. Este premio se otorga a quienes han trabajado como voluntarios una determinada cantidad de horas. ¡Elaine Miller ganó el Premio Presidencial de Oro por aproximadamente 700 horas de servicio voluntario!
Joseph J. Cowan, Jr. ha sido reconocido como ganador del "Premio Lois Gould Voluntario del Año" para 2023. El premio, que lleva el nombre de la fundadora de PACS, Lois Gould, se entregará al Voluntario del Año anualmente.
Estamos extremadamente agradecidos con todos nuestros voluntarios que dedican su tiempo y esfuerzo para apoyar nuestra misión todos los días.
Lois Gould Volunteer of The Year Winners
2024 - Elaine Miller
2023 - Joe Cowan
