5 Days until the Live with Passion!

We are gearing up for the final push!  The fourth annual Live with Passion is just a few days away.  We hope you will be joining us for the spectacular weekend in support of the PV Volunteers.

April Volunteer Reflection

In our April PV Newsletter we included a reflection written by one of our long time volunteers, Daniel Schletzbaum.  In case you miss it, here is his reflection on what it means to him to be a PV.

Be a Part of it..

I recently went to WV with my daughter, Mary and her college friend, Rebecca, to be a part of the spring break trip. When we arrived in WV, we were welcomed by Jill and Jenny and the Holy Cross College group from MA. This time, like all the other times I have volunteered in WV, the people  I met while I was there are all very special treasures. The college students were all so eager to help the people of WV in any way they could. The week we were there together, we helped the teachers at head start, we helped Debbie rearrange St. Vincent DePaul and we worked in Hanover on a couple of homes that were affected by the flood of last spring. No matter what job we were asked to do, we were willing to be a part of it. 

Some people may ask what it means to “be a part of it”. For me, to “be a part of it”  means to share laughter, frustrations, and fellowship with all whom I encounter. 

By “being a part of it”  I think you receive a feeling that is not  achieved from your  routine life at home until you have experienced life as a PV.

I know it was a special privilege for me to be in WV over spring break to help me stay connected. But staying connected with the PVs can be done in many different ways. One way is to log in on the PV Blog. Or you could be involved  by taking part in fundraisers which help support our PV program. This coming summer will be another special time in the lives of  PVs when we move to a new location. There will be ups and downs, tears and laughter,  but there will be many special feelings that can only come by” BEING A PART OF IT”.

Daniel Schletzbaum

LWP is just around the corner

Don't forget to check out our Live with Passion blog for all the latest event updates.

PV Live with Passion Blog

Busy Weekend

This past weekend was a busy one in PV-land.  On Saturday 13 PVs converged in Emerson, NJ for the annual meeting of the PV Steering Committee.  This group of committed volunteers takes the time to go over the results of the evaluations and reunions and helps guide the program into the future.  Many lively discussions were had, new ideas were tossed around and plans were set in place. As a group they affirmed the mission and direction of the program and provided some additional guidance to us, as we move forward as a program. Many thanks to all who came.

On Sunday we had our spring PV Board Meeting, also in Emerson. The Board was updated on the current status of the program, given an update on our grant writing from our grant writer and discussed the importance and need for additional fundraising.  Thank you to all who participated whether by phone or being present.

Also, a HUGE thank you to the Kraytems for hosting the weekend. Their willingness to open up their home to the PVs (and feed us!) is a huge help to us.

After the Board Meeting we headed into Brooklyn to meet up for dinner with the young women from WEB (Womens Empowerment Brooklyn.)  It was wonderful to see them all and to catch up on their lives.  An especially good highlight was seeing Marilyn's 5 month old baby.

Our five week road trip has concluded and we are now back in our homes. It was really an amazing five weeks.  We covered 19 states, drove over 5,000 miles, spent time with numerous PVs and created an amazing amount of memories. THANK YOU!!!

PVs Awarded Another Grant!

We are pleased to announce that the PV program has received a $20,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation based in Pittsburgh.  This grant will be put to good use this summer in West Virginia.