Everyday Heroes

Volunteers Create Progressive Dinners
Written by: Joan Vincent, United Way Volunteer

Ask the volunteers who organized United Way’s Progressive Dinner about this event and get ready for your mouth to water!  Volunteer hosts offered cuisines from around the world from such faraway places as southern Spain, Italy, Japan, Czechoslovakia and Guatemala.  American food included a natural beef dinner, a Tex Mex fiesta and a southern Creole feast.

Two years ago, a group of volunteers were looking for a way to support United Way’s signature Imagination Library Program.  This program provides free books each month to more than 9,300 children in our community from birth to age five.

Volunteer Vickie Morgan had experience organizing a progressive dinner fundraiser in Ohio.  She and several others, including Debbie Erickson, Janet Reagan, Lissa Staples and Judy Whitlock organized last year’s very successful event.

This year the enthusiastic volunteer committee included Debbie Erickson, Janet Reagan, Vickie Morgan, Lissa Staples, Marie Sanderson and Barb Anderson.

Marie Sanderson and her husband opened their home in Sartell as a reception home.  Barb Anderson and her husband did the same in St. Cloud.  At the two reception homes the participants gathered and socialized with hors ‘d oeuvres and beverages and received their menus for their food experience.  They then moved to another home where they dined on a specific cuisine. 

Each of the host/chefs envision and create a unique dining experience. For example, Isaac and Rosamond (“Rosie”) Owens  served guests Ghanaian/West African food.  Isaac and Rosie also taught their guests Ghanaian dancing and presented them with a CD of Ghanaian music.   Another host was so determined to serve an ethnically correct Czech meal that he drove many hours to purchase just the right sausage!

After the dinner, all guests returned to their original reception homes for dessert and more socializing.  Guests were full of wonderful food and excitement from their amazing dining experiences.  All dinners sold out.

Next year, the volunteers say the Progressive Dinners will be held on two consecutive weekends to allow the hosts and participants to attend as well as host.  Be sure to mark your calendar for April 14 and 21, 2012. You won’t want to miss out on what these amazing volunteers have created!

Margie Zipf used to be a volunteer cook at The Salvation Army.  When her husband retired and they moved to Florida, she cooked for The Salvation Army there.  After her husband passed away, she returned to St. Cloud and to The Salvation Army.  

In Margie's absence, Jim Schindele had taken over as head cook.  When asked how she felt about that, she quipped, "We got along pretty well, but then I got to know him!"  Margie and her three "Tuesday lunch bunch" guys, who volunteer every Tuesday to prepare lunch, laughed heartily.

"This group really has fun," said Major Jo Ann Madrid of The Salvation Army.

Jim had been a cook and a Mess Sergeant in the Army.  Following his retirement from the military, he worked at St. Cloud's Waste Treatment Facility.  

He likes to cook and cooks at home in addition to his volunteer duties at The Salvation Army.  At The Salvation Army, he said, most of the stuff we use in the kitchen is donated, Jim explains.  "It comes from a variety of sources."  

Today's menu included ham, roast pork, chicken, salad, green beans and dessert.  It's a good, healthy meal, and people walk, bike and drive to eat it.

"Yesterday, the Salvation Army served 135 people during the noon meal which is open to the public. We always have a lot of volunteers," Margie said.  "Some are doing court ordered community service, but they get so excited to work with us that they come back and volunteer."

Bill Eiffert has worked with the "Tuesday lunch bunch" for about two years.

He went through the Tracy tornado in the 1960's.  Working for Northwestern Bell at the time, Bill helped with the rescue efforts.  "We were pulling victims out of basements and there was nothing to eat because the whole town had been wiped out.  The Salvation Army was the first agency on the scene - and they fed us.  That's why I'm here," Bill said.

When asked what it's like to feed people who need help, Bill said, "By the grace of God, I'm on this side of the counter."  Bill doesn't know how long he'll be able to do this work because he just learned he has cancer.  But his cancer is a treatable kind and he is optimistic that he'll be able to continue to take his four grandsons hunting in the fall.

Dennis O'Donnell estimates that he has volunteered at The Salvation Army for 8-10 years, "Because the pay is good."  He also has volunteered for other organizations.  When asked how he likes working here, he says "Not very well, especially  with Margie."  The group all laughs and Dennis gives Margie a big hug.

Dennis says he "doesn't really like to cook - he just likes to help."

"He is our taster," Jim said,

"Yeah," said Dennis.  "Here we pray after we eat!"