The Vine - Winter/Spring 2012

by Denise Schillaci |  March 29, 2012

God is so present!
Denise Schillaci finds meaning in her volunteer work

     Volunteering at Vine Maple Place has been the best place to learn what volunteering is all about and why people do it. God is so present and I have learned so much about gratitude and grace. I have always been about doing, accomplishing, and organizing. Volunteering has taught me that it isn’t about accomplishing something. It’s about just showing up, and showing that you care enough to give your time. The residents have to do all the work and we get to “just be there” and soak up the presence of God.
      I started volunteering at Vine Maple Place many years ago when I joined the Board of Directors as the representative from my church. Since then I have continued to stay involved in various ways. Right now I am serving as a mentor and a tutor.
      As a mentor, I have learned so much about God’s purposes. I’ve learned it is not about me - that it’s all in God’s hands. I’m to just keep on caring, and I trust God will time my cards and emails to come when my resident needs them most.
      Tutoring has also been fun. I am really proud of how hard my tutee residents work at improving their math skills. Their example has made me more conscious of where I need to work hard to accomplish the goals in my life. The residents have taught me that success is something that you have to work at constantly and that failure doesn’t mean you don’t get another chance to try again.