Volunteers are so important to the Crossroads community. They make it possible for Crossroads to do an awful lot with not nearly enough. And John Souza is one volunteer who really gets it. For nearly 4 years, he’s been showing up to do whatever needs to be done at Crossroads for Women and its affiliate programs.
John has become an integral part of the family — a core member, someone everyone counts on, not just for the myriad of skills he brings, but also for his gentle and unassuming presence, his leadership, his wicked, quick wit, his understanding, compassion and commitment.
John first crossed paths with Amanda Douglas, Crossroads’ Resource Development Director, in his capacity as a building contractor. Through Amanda, John learned about the mission and programs of Crossroads for Women, and it really struck a chord. John told Amanda he’d be happy to help, if there was ever a need for a man and his truck.
Two days later, there was a need, and John found himself picking up his first load of donated furniture for Crossroads. Soon, he “just kind of fell in love with the place,” and since then, he’s done just about everything a volunteer could possibly do for Crossroads.
John is still moving furniture, of course, along with bedding and housewares and all of the other things that help to make a house a home, any time a Crossroads client moves into her own apartment. It’s no wonder that so many of the women are so very fond of John.
All that hauling has even had a tangible impact on Crossroads. Thanks, in part, to John’s help, Crossroads has significantly increased its capacity to accept donated furniture and other goods. Currently, Crossroads is receiving in-kind donations valued at more than $100,000 annually. KC Quirk, Crossroads’ Executive Director, attributes ‘a lion’s share’ of this success to John’s support.
Oh yeah — and John does all this using his own truck, and his own gas
But wait! There’s more! John is also an active member of the Fundraising Committee. And he’s a regular Crossroads contributor. And he fixes things. And he’s one of the main keys to the success of virtually every Crossroads event.
Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or the Family BBQ, John is often the first one there, and the last to leave. These events are all-important, says John. “They provide wonderful opportunities for the women to be with their children, when not all the women have that. They are just wonderful occasions.” And John is there, doing whatever needs to be done to make it wonderful.
One of John’s proudest achievements as a Crossroads volunteer is putting on the red suit and playing Santa Claus. First he has to haul all of the donated christmas gifts, but then he gets to pass them out to the women and children. What could be better than that!
Crossroads is so blessed to have a friend like John Souza; thank you John, for all you do!
You too can be a Crossroads volunteer! Just call Amanda Douglas at 505-242-1010.