news-record.com

Nathan Cassidy

The Barnabas Network     

What he does: Nathan Cassidy has been volunteering for the Barnabas Network since early May. The Barnabas Network is dedicated to providing furniture and encouragement to families taking steps toward self-sufficiency. Cassidy schedules the truck to pick up furniture donated to Barnabas Network. Donations are then taken to a warehouse, where deserving families can shop for furniture.

The Barnabas Network has had many generous donations from the community of Guilford County, Cassidy said. He receives dozens of calls from families who donate everything from one piece to full houses of furniture.

The Barnabas Network allows clients to shop for full households of furniture, ranging from small lamps to couches, beds and large appliances such as washers and dryers. Cassidy especially likes that Barnabas Network enables people to “shop” for their own furniture instead of being given what the agency would like them to have.

He also is pleased to know this service allows these families to spend their hard-earned money on necessities such as food and housing costs. “They don’t have to resort to paying hundreds and hundreds of dollars for furniture or using predatory loan companies,” he said.

What he tells others: “Volunteering for Barnabas Network has shown me how much of a difference I can make in the community.  And I’m glad that I have the opportunity to help people become self-sufficient.”

For information, call Allen Hunt at 370-4002.

This week’s opportunity

Senior Resources of Guilford needs volunteers to deliver Mobile Meals and visit with home-bound seniors. Must have own transportation, valid N.C. driver’s license and insurance or be working as part of a team with someone who meets these requirements. Routes provided. Must be able to lift coolers full of meals into car. Minimum one-year commitment. All expenses, including mileage, are tax-deductible. Good opportunity for groups. Call James Joyce, 373-4816, Ext. 249, volcoordinator@senior-resources-guilford.org

LEARN MORE

Volunteer Center of Greensboro, 1500 Yanceyville St., Greensboro, NC 27405, 373-1633 or www.volunteergso.org.