The following are excerpts from a letter I received from Jill Millerand that exemplifies how volunteers can be the heart of helping those in need:

Muriel B. Harris (Second from the left) hosted volunteers from the ClothesLine, a program of MIPH in collaboration with other community agencies at MIPH’s Fundraising Dinner. (L to R) Joan Boyd, ClothesLine Volunteer Jill Millerand, Amandla Volunteer Coordinator and Tookie Bacon, 2004 MIPH Volunteer Awardee.

Last month, three houses were destroyed by fire in Perth Amboy. One of the victims was a 2003 graduate of Amandla. She lost everything.

The fire interrupted this motivated Amandla graduate who works part time while attending Kean University and Middlesex County College, taking courses towards a degree in computer science.

The young woman was given priority for housing but had no means of furnishing an apartment. Jill received a call and was able to supply this family with linen, kitchen utensils and small appliances but had no resources to provide furniture.

The very next day, Jill received a call from an "old" donor, Helen, a school teacher in Mercer County whom she had not spoken to for over a year and who is responsible for a confirmation class at her church. The class had chosen to do a community service project related to the homeless so Helen contacted Jill to see if she needed anything.

Needless to say, Helen, her confirmation class, parents, neighbors and other volunteers established a caravan to Perth Amboy with practically everything this family needed. The generosity of our Mercer County neighbors was overwhelming.

We applaud all those who give their time, treasures or talents to help the homeless.

-- Fleeta Bulle