Volunteer Corner: A Family That Gives Together
Families often volunteer together. At FSC, we are blessed to have many couples and families that believe in our mission.
This is an extended family of grandmothers, a grandfather, mothers, fathers, daughters and sons, a niece and nephew, and siblings. This is a Falmouth family and an FSC family who support our mission each and every day. We had the pleasure of talking with them this summer about their FSC volunteer service and support, and here’s what they had to say in their own words.
“Meeting our Coast Guard and Air Force families, hearing their stories and learning about their exceptional service to our country at FSC’s Joint Base Cape Cod mobile market has been an honor and privilege. Just being able to engage with a great team of hard-working FSC volunteers at the Base has been an inspiration to me since my retirement in 2018”
“I got involved with the Service Center about 15 years ago when my husband and I would help families in need during the holiday season, and as time allowed, I became more involved. My FSC volunteer service gives me a great sense of satisfaction in knowing that whatever I do is immediately helpful to my community. My mom, Lynne Rozsa, devotes her time to non-profits in our community; she inspires me to always do more for others.” Caroline Inman – daughter of Lynne, spouse of Matt, mother of Sadie & Max.
“On FSC’s Thanksgiving Turkey Drop Off Sunday, it gives me great pride to be a part of the Falmouth community coming together in support of our neighbors in need during the holiday season. Showing my children what it means to be a good citizen in our community is what motivates and inspires me to be involved with the Service Center.” Matt Inman – son of Mary Jo, spouse of Caroline & father of Sadie and Max.
“My grandmother Lynne has always volunteered at FSC, Falmouth Eats Together and more; my parents have taught me to be a kind and caring good human. I was reaching the age of my Bat Mitzvah and chose to volunteer in FSC’s food pantry every Wednesday after school as a way to give back to the community and complete my service project. Knowing that FSC puts a smile on client faces and makes their lives easier motivates me to stay involved.” Sadie Inman – granddaughter of Mary Jo, Lynne & Sam, daughter of Caroline & Matt, niece of Ilene and sister of Max.
“It makes me feel good to know that with just my spare time, I can help make a difference for so many people in such a necessary way. Thanksgiving is when we come as a family to help sort the vegetables and receive the turkeys donated by the community. My sister Sadie inspires my volunteer service.”
"Participating in the Falmouth Eats Together community meals with my brother Sam brings a smile to my face. One of my most memorable experiences was baking 700+ Thanksgiving pumpkin breads with volunteers from a local women’s treatment program. The hours of cooking and conversation often left me in awe of their resiliency. Cooking with the Boy Scouts left me covered in batter and filled with appreciation!” Ilene Karnow – sister of Sam and aunt of Sadie & Max.
"For those who enjoyed being part of FSC’s Falmouth Eats Together community meals, you know that the cooking, setting up and serving up to and over 300 dinner guests, followed by breakdown and clean up, was a massive undertaking twice each month. Our dozens of volunteers were nothing short of fabulous. We were known for great meals, great fun and meaningful and caring multi- generational conversations. I look forward to a time when some form of Falmouth Eats Together can return.” Sam Slarskey – brother of Ilene, grandfather of Sadie & Max and spouse of Lynne.
"I like being a role model for my grandkids. I have high hopes that they will all be ‘do-gooders,’ too! I want them to have a connection to their community, to build skills that will be needed as they grow, and to know the joy of making other people happy. I am delighted that my family is part of the Service Center’s crew; it’s wonderful to share the satisfaction of helping.” Lynne Rozsa – mother of Caroline, grandmother of Sadie & Max, and spouse of Sam.
We offer thanks to this extended family and to all of our Falmouth Service Center and Hand in hand Thrift Shop volunteers for giving so generously of their time. Sadie shared a final thought, in our conversation with her this summer, that seems to fit this family to perfection:
“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”
We could not agree more, Sadie. Special thanks to you, and to your entire family for the years and years of dedication to so many of our clients and FSC programs.