Mission thanks its volunteers with appreciation dinner

Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission president Tim McAllister and his wife Violet were presented gifts as part of the mission’s volunteer appreciation dinner March 26.

The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission is run completely by volunteers and those volunteers were recognized last week.

The mission held its annual volunteer appreciation dinner last Thursday night with a packed house enjoying a pot luck meal and musical entertainment.

Mission president Tim McAllister, who was one of the people who sang during the Jan. 29 dinner, said people come to the mission to volunteer with one purpose in mind and that is to live up to the slogan “People Helping People.”

“When I look around and see the place full like this, it brings back memories,” McAllister told the assembled group. 

McAllister said he has over 27 years of volunteer service with the mission and has seen the place evolve and grow. When volunteers come in, whether they be new volunteers or long-serving volunteers, he said it makes him feel joyful.

“It makes my job easier,” said McAllister.

Recalling a time period when he would have to cook five days per week, McAllister said there are now volunteers who now give him days off from cooking while others help in other ways.

“It makes me so excited to see people coming to help,” said McAllister.

There was once a time in McAllister’s life when he was focused on other things, including getting a large house and large cars. He was a welder who was on his way to work nearly three decades ago when he was hit by an impaired driver. Since then, his outlook on life was altered dramatically.

“A drunk driver hit me on EC Row, and my life changed,” he said. “That’s how I ended up here. Many people say it’s my calling.”

McAllister adapted to his new life and said he soon found volunteering and giving back to be important.

“I learned money means nothing. I could have been gone that night,” said McAllister. “Money isn’t everything. That night, I learned a lesson.”

Helping others through tough situations is one of his and the other volunteers’ passions, he added, and emphasized how appreciative he is to see so many people also willing to assist those in need.

“It brings joy to my heart,” said McAllister. “All of you make me happy.”

Evon “E.J.” Brockett, son of mission vice president Zainia Brockett, also performed. Brockett is a North Star High School graduate who was acknowledged by McAllister for his own years of service to the mission.

John Drop, a volunteer board member with the mission, gave his thanks to Tim and Violet McAllister, noting the husband-and-wife duo who he said spend six to seven days per week doing what they can to help the mission.

“Tim makes the mission what it is,” said Drop. “Thank you to Tim and Violet. They are here every day to make sure the mission is working and keeps working.”

Later in the evening, the McAllisters were recognized with a gift due to their ongoing volunteer efforts.

The Amherstburg Food and Fellowship Mission is always accepting new volunteers. For information, drop by Monday through Friday at 298 Victoria St. S., call 519-736-9140 or e-mail aburgmission@yahoo.com.

People wishing to make food donations to the mission are welcome as well, with the current list of items the mission needs most being kidney beans, mixed vegetables, peas, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, jam, pasta noodles except spaghetti, Sidekicks and cookies. 

Mission thanks its volunteers with appreciation dinner

By Ron Giofu