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Wendy Morrill
Sort canned goods. Help pack boxes. Deliver. It's soup to nuts for Wendy Morrill at Operation Happiness, the Franklin-Grand Isle United Way’s annual holiday event that provides gift boxes for needy families. Morrill, 43, of St. Albans City, is starting her eleventh season with Operation Happiness and is among dozens of generous volunteers that make it run smoothly each year. "I have dedicated my life to children, and people in need, and there is no better organization than the United Way," Morrill said. "They provide basic needs to help children, youth and families succeed." Through Operation Happiness, Morrill gets a direct look at how the United Way affects families with numerous encumbrances on their self-sufficiency – from disabilities and welfare dependency to health issues and lack of education. The United Way gives those people a chance, Morrill said. "I think people want to make a difference," she said, "to make a change. That is what the United Way does. It does not get any better than that." Morrill said Operation Happiness donation boxes are currently posted throughout the community. Sorting and packing occurs on Dec. 4 and 5, with delivery scheduled for Dec. 9. For more information, call 524-4425. |
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Patrick and Jeanette Warn
When Jeannette Warn joined the Franklin-Grand Isle United Way Board of Directors six years ago, she encouraged her husband, Pat, to join, too. Now, the Georgia couple is a solid one-two punch of volunteerism. Pat, 43, generously donated his time and computer skills to install a network and server for the United Way, so the organization could share files. He also revamped the United Way's Web site database – for free. "There are lots of things going on in the world and our country that I don't like but feel powerless to change," Pat says, speaking of why he volunteers. "The only two things I can do are to vote and work to make my community a better place." Jeannette, 48, has also helped with the United Way's Allocations Committee, the annual Radiothon, and the Day of Caring program. She volunteers to help those in need; develop new skills; and better understand other people – as well as herself. "I volunteer, because I want to be part of the solution," she says. |
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Swanton native and St. Albans resident Leon Thompson, 32, is a writer, author and father. For 10 years, he has primarily written multi-award-winning stories and (mostly humor) columns for the St. Albans Messenger, a daily newspaper in northwestern Vermont.
Leon is the author of two books -- both collections of his columns: "Good Junk" (2003) and "dork. - another look at my junk" (2007). Both works were released by Plaidswede Publishing of Concord, N.H.
In 2007, Lyndon State College -- his alma mater -- named Leon the inaugural recipient of its Outsanding Young Alumni Award. Shortly thereafter, he won the Virginia Allen Young Careerist Competition for the Franklin County Business and Professional Women (BPW). |
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| "You Matter" is a regular feature that highlights the unique volunteers and agencies affiliated with the Franklin-Grand Isle United Way. Have a suggestion? Call 527-6394 or write to wunwish@yahoo.com. Also check out volunteer opportunities. |
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