April is National Volunteer Month!

This week, April 18-24, is National Volunteer Week in Canada and the United States, and we wanted to take a moment to thank all of our amazing volunteers for writing letters to our homebound seniors receiving in-home personal care. Your volunteerism means the world not only to the seniors that we serve but also to Meritan. We could not do what we do without all of our amazing volunteers. We wanted to highlight our Volunteer of the Month, Courtney Spencer.

Courtney is a Memphis EdTech Freelance Writer, a poet, and an Online Associate English Faculty Member at the University of Arizona Global Campus. She lives in Cordova and uses writing to inform, educate, and connect with people. We asked her to write about her experience as a volunteer. Read below to learn more about her virtual volunteer experience at Meritan.

“Dear Meritan community,

Thank you for choosing me as Volunteer of the Month. I’m happy to be a part of Meritan’s mission to empower individuals and families. When I came across your virtual volunteer opportunity on Volunteer Memphis’ website, I was moved. The thought of writing letters to home-bound seniors for Valentine’s Day spoke to my heart.

Since age nine, I’ve been on a journey with writing. I use it to express myself and connect with others. After reading Romeo and Juliet, I fell in love with writing poetry and later started teaching English Composition students to embrace their writing voices. Now, I’m a new freelance writer who writes about educational technology. So, writing letters would be another way for me to engage with people.

I’ve always been fascinated with letter writing; it’s an intimate and thoughtful exchange. Searching one’s soul for what he or she wants to say to the recipient takes time. My only concern was Valentine’s day was in 3 days and winter storms (unimaginable snow and ice) were coming to Memphis. Will they get there in time? No, but it won’t stop me.

While I wanted to write more letters, I only choose three. I remember their names-- Mrs. Patricia, Mr. Riad, and Mrs. Lois. Yes, I was raised old school, so I addressed the letters this way. I penned what came to mind: I introduced myself, expressed how nice it was meeting them, and asked what Valentine’s Day means to them. I also touched on what probably pained them and me -- loneliness.

For me, I struggle to breathe around Valentine’s Day because I lost my niece to cancer on February 15. Experiencing a lingering void for three years, I’ve learned to channel this energy into joy. I was fortunate to have this love and I chose to share this joy with Mrs. Patricia, Mr. Riad, and Mrs. Lois, so they could get to know me. Most importantly, I reminded them they weren’t alone and had a new friend!

Well over a week late, I mailed the letters. I imagined them reading or someone reading it to them. Perhaps they smiled and revisited happy memories. Writing these letters connected me to three Memphians and brought about a feeling I can’t express. It allowed me to reflect and counter my loneliness (hopefully theirs too).

Given the past year, consider writing a letter to a senior or someone in your community. It could be a great way to spark joy in someone’s life. Just say “Hi” or ask, “How are you?” We could all use some unexpected kindness!"

Sincerely your friend,

Courtney Spencer

P.S. Can’t wait to write more letters soon!”

If you would like to write letters to our seniors, please email our Director of Development, Chessie Hayes, at chessiehayes@meritan.org.