Ashland Volunteers

There are many charitable organizations in Ashland that rely on the time and talent of volunteers. They step up to perform simple but vital tasks, like filing, shredding documents or answering office phones.
In the United States, almost 63 million people, from September 2014 and September 2015, volunteered at least once directly for, or through, an organization, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov).
As for Ashland, to paraphrase a quote by former Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil, “all need is local.” Here are some of Ashland’s organizations and their dedicated volunteers.
Rifles to Rods,
www.riflestorods.org
The motto of our combat soldiers is to leave no one behind. Ashland police officer, 29-year-old Ryan Puzo, a deployed U.S. Army combat soldier and now an Ashland police officer, has carried this pledge to civilian life as he encourages veterans affected by combat to go fishing. Yes, fishing.
Puzo started Rifles to Rods in August 2016, and by word of mouth, has given several veterans the chance to shed some of war’s horrors. “I don’t want to pry, “Puzo said, “I just want to provide an atmosphere for them to relax. This is just holistic healing.”
Ashland Emergency Fund, www.ashlandemergencyfund.org
Rosemary Fedorchak, Ashland Emergency Fund (AEF) chair, and her 10-12 regular volunteers donate every cent they collect, about $90,000 annually, directly to families, usually for rent, childcare and/or utilities. AEF fundraisers include an annual spring auction on April 29, 5 p.m., at the Ashland American Legion.
Last Halloween, Ashland K-5 students were given special donation bags, prepared by volunteers at the Ashland Senior Center. The students collected $3,000. “I have to get busy with those thank you notes,” Fedorchak reminded herself.
I asked Fedorchak what the best and hardest parts of running AEF was. “I’m always looking for new ways to raise awareness of what we do,” she said. “It’s very rewarding, and there is a sense of building a very strong community.”
Ashland Food Pantry,
www.ashlandmass.com
A cavernous facility on the first floor of the Ashland Community Center contains stalagmites of soup cans, cereal boxes, toys and books and shelf after shelf of foodstuffs for needy Ashland residents. Overseen by Cara Tirrell and a small cadre of volunteers, which can grow to 30 to 50 during food drives, the Food Pantry receives goods from the Greater Boston Food Bank and is awarded an annual grant from the Hopkinton Country Club.
“Volunteering,” Tirrell said, “helps residents have a role in the community. They feel like neighbor is helping neighbor.” Food pantry volunteers do everything from cleaning to filling orders.
Tirrell oversees other programs, such as fuel assistance, the Holiday Program and Adopt-a-Child. While most of the food distribution is through the AEF, Tirrell looks for individuals or families to “adopt” one child during the December holidays and provide a gift for a needy boy or girl.
Ashland Senior Center, www.ElderServices
@AshlandMass.com
Joanne Duffy, the Senior Center director for 15 years, has a small paid staff. However, this vibrant and active senior center could not function without the help of 100 volunteers who do everything from greeting visitors at the office window, maintaining the Country Store, driving to pick up donated goods and working the hot lunch program. One volunteer comes in before morning church services and gets the coffee service ready for the day.
“We try to provide meaningful opportunities and try to match skills to our needs,” Duffy said. In 2016, her volunteers logged almost 5,300 hours, with volunteers often doing multiple jobs. Volunteers who complete 10 hours annually are invited to a special recognition luncheon.
Ashland Public Library, www.ashlandmass.com
Paula Bonetti is the director of this welcoming jewel on Front Street. Aside from nine employees, Bonetti relies on a platoon of Ashland High School students needing community service credit. In the last fiscal year, 37 students and other volunteers logged 1,117 hours. The guidance department at the high school rounds up the students who keep the shelves filled with books. Bonetti made special note of 16-year volunteer Conrad Plourde, a WWII veteran, and Shirley Brown, from the Ashland Senior Center.
Friends of the
Ashland Library,
www.friendsoftheapl.com
Friends’ President Betsy Emberly, her officers and several program heads, all volunteers, are dedicated to raising funds for art programs, documentary and entertainment films, the annual Fun Run and early release day programs. The all-important book and cupcake sale, which raises money for the programs, has volumes of books of all genres and interests available at bargain prices. The next sale is Saturday, March 4, 10 am to 2 pm.
Les Clark volunteers at both Ashland Senior Center and the library. He can be reached at [email protected].