Testimonials
Who We Are
Dear Volunteer Ventures MA Team,
On behalf of our organization and the community we serve, it is my sincere honor to recognize and express our deepest gratitude for your generous and ongoing support. Volunteer Ventures MA is truly a precious partner to us, and your unwavering commitment to building community through service shines brightly in everything you do. Your donation of student desks for our Back-to-School event made a remarkable and lasting impact. The desks were so adorable and useful that they were gone within minutes of the event opening. This is a testament to the joy and excitement they brought to the children and families who received them. Your generosity helped ensure that students begin the school year with the tools they need to succeed. Your care and dedication extend far beyond any single event. During the holiday season, your thoughtful donations of delicious lasagna, soups, and banana bread have helped us provide comfort and nourishment to low-income families during moments when it is needed most. These contributions are a powerful reminder that community is built through consistent acts of kindness, and Volunteer Ventures MA exemplifies this beautifully. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your kindness, consistency, and compassion. We are truly grateful for all that you do, and we look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership for years to come.
Warmest regards,
Tamires Cacheto, M.Ed. Education Liaison
"Our three-year partnership with Volunteer Ventures is one of the most meaningful highlights of our post-trip program back at camp. Through this Tikkun Olam project, our teens built desks for schools and accessible picnic tables for camps and parks, many of them picking up hand tools for the very first time.Watching them step into something so new was incredibly powerful. You could see their confidence grow with each step, and there was a real sense of pride in knowing they were creating something that would truly benefit others.Barry was amazing. He connected with our teens right from the start, helping them understand the importance of their work in a way that really resonated. That message stayed with them throughout the entire experience.By the end, the teens were not only proud of what they had built, but proud of themselves. They were fully engaged from start to finish, and so many shared that this was the highlight of their experience. It was inspiring to see them realize the difference they could make in the world."
Mindee Greenberg, Director of Dor L’DorThe Cohen Camps: Pembroke, Tel Noar & Tevya
"The Soup Jars project has to be one of the most positive events in all that happens here at WUS. All of the elements that reflect the declarations of UU values were evident yesterday. If newcomers (families especially) got to see all that happened yesterday, our membership totals would be going ever up. It felt so positive on so many levels."
- Volunteer participant at Winchester Unitarian Soceity soup jar event
"Thanks so much for thinking of the En Ka Pantry, once again, to be one of the recipients for your wonderful soup starters. Our clients loved them last year and we are sure they will be so grateful to receive them again this year. It is wonderful that you get the elementary age children involved! Thanks again for reaching out and for helping us deliver some wonderful, body and heart-warming nutrition to our clients!"
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- Food Pantry chairperson, given 6 dozen Soup Jars:
"It was a wonderful experience for our family. Count us in for next year!"
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- Soup jar event volunteer
"When I do service work, I feel DYNAMITE!"
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-6 yr. old volunteer participant
"The Soup Jars project has to be one of the most positive events in all that happens here at WUS. All of the elements that reflect the declarations of UU values were evident yesterday. If newcomers (families especially) got to see all that happened yesterday, our membership totals would be going ever up. It felt so positive on so many levels."
- Volunteer participant at Winchester Unitarian Soceity soup jar event
"I accompanied my son and a group of teenagers as a chaperone on a service trip toNew Orleans. Barry and the team skillfully balanced work and enjoyable activities,ensuring an enriching experience for everyone. We acquired valuable carpentry andpainting skills that will benefit us in the long term. The kids, along with the adults,forged new friendships, both within our group and with the locals in New Orleans. Thekids actively interacted with the community, gaining insightful perspectives. The day-to-day schedule was well organized, providing ample opportunities to delve into localhistory, cuisine, and culture. I look forward to future opportunities to serve withVolunteer Ventures."
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- Service Trip parent chaperone
"Everyone had a great time and it was another roaring success! This is such a huge win for everyone. Not many years ago, I continually heard families in the schools looking for service projects for their younger kids. I am so proud and grateful that W U S can offer this for local families. When I looked at the pictures, I was amazed at how many new families I saw. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
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- Volunteer participant at Winchester Unitarian Society soup jar event
"The Soup Jars project has to be one of the most positive events in all that happens here at WUS. All of the elements that reflect the declarations of UU values were evident yesterday. If newcomers (families especially) got to see all that happened yesterday, our membership totals would be going ever up. It felt so positive on so many levels."
- Volunteer participant at Winchester Unitarian Socitey soup jar event
"It wasn’t just the fact that I made shelves to give to those in need, but that I got to have this experience together with my Dad."
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-Young volunteer desk builder
"We are very appreciative of all the desks, school supplies and book bags donated to the Hennigan School. They will be such a great help for students when they start school with us. We get new students consistently who come from outside the country. We get students from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Brazil, Cape Verde, Vietnam, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and some others. A lot of the time they haven't been in school much in their country therefore this is their very first real "school experience." The desks, supplies and book bags will help us welcome these students and help them feel comfortable and ready to learn. Thank you so very much!"
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-From The Community Field Coordinator, James W. Hennigan K-8 School, Jamaica Plain. Community Connector