I am happy to give you Second Helpings Volunteers of the Month for May 2022, Chris Morrison and Marie Gabrielle Morrison! Chris and Marie have been great champions for Second Helpings’ mission by sharing their time, talents, and treasures. Chris and Marie are leaving Second Helpings and starting a new adventure in Florida. One of the things most important to them is to find a place like Second Helpings in their new community where they can serve. We wish them all the best and are forever grateful to them for their time here! Please read below some of the highlights from their time at Second Helpings.
How did you become involved in Second Helpings?
We first heard about Second Helpings when one of our dear friends purchased a cooking class by the chefs at SH for a group at a fundraiser. I knew I would donate some of my time to this beautiful organization whenever I retired.
What types of things have you done since you began volunteering with us?
Chris started with meal deliveries while he was still working. Once he retired from teaching, he began to work on the tilts. Marie started chopping produce in May 2018 (after retiring from Eli Lilly). Then, because of my career in HR, I got involved with helping the CJT candidates with mock interviewing and became a member of the HR committee in 2019. I’ve also assisted with food delivery to some of our agencies.
What have you liked best about volunteering with us?
We both love the freedom the staff gives the volunteers to make decisions. For example, we are given directions on what will go into each tilt, but then we are left to make any changes that we feel make the tilt even better. In addition, the staff expresses their appreciation for us every day. We’ve also enjoyed meeting the people with whom we “work”; they’ve become good friends, and we look forward to seeing them and catching up on their lives weekly.
What are you most proud of accomplishing through your volunteer work here?
Chris loves the days when he is given big numbers of pans (or tubs) to make, and we knock them out. We also fully subscribe to Second Helpings’ 3 pronged mission and are proud to say we volunteer here.
What do you do when you are not volunteering with us?
Chris works a lot in our yard and tries to keep busy exercising and playing golf, and Marie practices yoga and enjoys cooking and trying new recipes.
Do you volunteer for any other organization?
Chris works a lot with the Special Olympics Eagle Creek Golf Club, Marie volunteered at University High School (where Chris taught math and coached different sports for 18 years), and our daughter, Olivia, just graduated from high school.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
People would be surprised to hear that Chris played Division 1 soccer and was captain of his team at Dartmouth College. People would be surprised to hear that Marie is a French national and have lived in 7 countries.
What was your happiest experience at Second Helpings?
No happiest, they are all good!
Who and what will you miss most at Second Helpings?
Chris will miss the entire Thursday morning crew, especially our “tilt team” Ed, Steve, and the long-lost Joel. Big thanks to all the employees of Second Helpings and, in particular, Michael, Rich, and Caitlin for answering all my dumb questions and still letting us use our creativity in the kitchen! Marie will also miss the Thursday morning produce and meat chopping crew and those working with pan prep and “to go” meals. We will miss the Second Helpings team and the grateful environment they provide.