Notes from our Executive Director

April is for celebrating VOLUNTEERS and do we ever have the best people in our community showing up to serve! When I joined Lubbock Impact three years ago, I did not realize how much I would come to appreciate the generosity of someone giving their time. I am amazed at the sacrifices that volunteers make to meet needs and be the encouraging smile that many people seek during hard times. 

And then I think of individuals like Vanessa who step out of their comfort zone to teach. Vanessa and her family are members of Lubbock Unified Church that meets at Lubbock Impact on Sundays. She wanted to be able to encourage women with God’s Word and from her own life experiences. Each week she brings together a group of 12-15 women after the Community Meal to laugh, learn and pray together. In the beginning, Vanessa was nervous and unsure of her abilities. Over time it has been a blessing to see her shine in the space that God has called her to. Many of the women look for Vanessa and want to visit with her about their week. Some would say Vanessa is an ordinary woman, but I see what God sees and she is definitely extraordinary. 

As I write this, visions of volunteers filling in gaps at Lubbock Impact flood my mind.  From laughing on Tuesday nights with volunteers preparing the Community Meal, others sorting mounds of clothes, volunteers who are participants helping other participants, dentists and dental assistants caring for patients, pulling weeds to keep the building welcoming- the list goes on for miles. As a staff of three full-time and one part-time, we all acknowledge with grateful hearts that this is a community effort to love on Lubbock.   

Another unique aspect of Lubbock Impact volunteers is that there are SO many volunteers that come more than once to volunteer. Since January there have been over 100 volunteers that have served more than once with many of them coming every week. There have been 1,186 volunteer opportunities filled for a total of 8,113 hours served!  The 2024 national value of a volunteer hour is reported as $31.80. Since January, Lubbock Impact’s volunteer time is valued at $257,993.40! That’s an incredible gift to the community. 

You will always hear me say that Lubbock Impact is capable of serving the community well because of the volunteers who are investing well. We are truly blessed. 

Blessings,

Becky Robertson

Executive Director