Beech Tree News Network

The Robin Mosher story of Volunteerism - I had the privilege of meeting with a dear sweet friend of mine, Robin Mosher, and have a heart to heart conversation about her volunteer work. I met Robin while working in Bowling Green, and I immediately fell in love with her heart. She has such a sweet, kind, caring soul and I wanted to be able to share that with everyone and bring attention to volunteer work, and why it's so important and why it's such a passion of Robin's.

Of course, the first question I asked Robin was "why?" Why is volunteering such a huge part of her life? This isn't something that Robin has just begun doing in the last few years; it's something she's been extremely passionate about doing for many many years, all the way back to when she lived in New York (her home state). Why she began volunteering all those years ago, is something Robin says she just can't explain, the joy that it brought her and when she can't explain it, she knows it's a God thing.  "if you can explain it, it's manufactured, therefore because I can't explain it, I know it's God directing my steps." To this day, she still can't explain it except that it's something God has put on her heart and He feels she has the desire and ability to encourage others. He knows that she has the desire and ability to help to encourage and help people move and help them reach that next level. Her volunteerism doesn't only consist homeless people, but primarily with women that have come out of abusive relationships. She put herself in a position to be able to lift up these ladies that have been wronged or come out of some horrible circumstances.

How do you just volunteer? How do you know where to begin? When I ask Robin to tell me how she knew what to do, how to take the first step that has led her to many years of pure joy, she took me back to her years that she worked at Eastman Kodak in New York. There, she was part of a woman's forum, that consisted of 1000's of ladies across Kodak. These women would meet on a regular basis and talk about networking, volunteering and how to get yourself out there to connect with people. One of the highlights of her volunteer time in New York was the 25 years she participated in Days of Caring.  This is an annual event that celebrates volunteerism by bringing teams from local businesses, church, and civic groups. It is a hands-on experience with hundreds of volunteers and many projects to complete (in one day). It can be from landscaping to painting, to roofing, or whatever needs to be done. You're going into all different kinds of circumstances, and at the end of the day, whether you put a face with it or not, someone is better off because volunteers came out and gave of themselves. This joy and blessings she received on this day, was enough to make her want to continue going back every year, for 25 years!
She shared with me one special occasion during this time that was so touching for her. They worked at a Rehabilitation Center where people went that had brain disorders. Whether it be recovering from brain surgery or whatever the case may be, these people were under care for 24 hours a day. The volunteers went in and did landscaping, painted their room, and did numerous things to individualize their space. The one thing that stands out the most are the murals they did on the walls of the rooms of these individuals. Robin smiled as she explained how this raised their level of self-esteem new height to these people and lifted their spirits.

Having been mentored on a professional level in her career, Robin knew how important this practice was and began mentoring ladies and helping them get to the place they needed to be to have a better life. She began co-leading or leading events.
One very special event that Robin elaborated on that she volunteers with is the Hearts of Hope in Nashville. This event is put on for the ladies of the Nashville Rescue Mission. It is around Valentine Day every year, and in the week before the actual event, the ladies get to enjoy being pampered and attention is focused on them as individuals. This sounds so amazing and heartwarming. Several people from the business world come together to do hair, makeup, wardrobe, etc. to help get these ladies ready for a very special day. It is a day to celebrate these women by making them the guest of honor. There is anywhere from 700-1000 people in attendance for this amazing event.  Sometimes even big country stars, such as Reba McEntire, put on a concert.  It takes place at Trevecca Nazarene University.
Another place that Robin volunteers are Sophia's Heart in Nashville. If you haven't heard of this, which I had not, I highly recommend you look up the story how this place came to be. The founder, Danny Gokey, brought this place to life after the death of his wife. It is a unique residential service program that restores hope. They exist to help not only mend but to also help heal the hearts of children and families who have unfortunately been touched by poverty, illness, broken homes and even broken dreams.  Here, Robin does orientation for new volunteers
Robin is such a humble soul, and she explained to me that at the end of an event like this, she still gets so emotional when it's over because the gratitude from the women is overwhelming. She said some of the women ask her why she's so willing to take time, to help them. But the real blessing is Robin's. As tears filled Robin's eyes, she said she couldn't find any other words to express what she feels other than "pure joy." Yes, this is no doubt "a God thing." Robin says she's at her absolute best when she's volunteering. Volunteering is something that is much bigger than herself, and she was quick to let me know, it's a part of who she is and something that she will always be found doing. She has met many lifelong friends during her years as a volunteer.
The Nashville Rescue Mission, another one of the places Robin volunteers, is a place where she does at least one shift a month in the kitchen. She picks up more shifts if they need during heavily traffic times (such as holidays). Not only does she serve there, but she also speaks to women in the transitional house there and teaches them interviewing skills. Robin stressed that most of these ladies have never been taught how to live in a functional situation. They've done so much work on themselves and are determined to better themselves and eliminate the reoccurrence of homelessness.
In her humbleness, Robin speaks about how the homeless are often so judged as being addicts and drunks, but in most situations, this is not the case. So many of these people have just been in unfortunate circumstances, most of them out of their control, and they've been beaten down. We as a society, have formed such a harsh opinion of the homeless without really ever knowing their story. We all need to remember, at the end of the day, we are all God's people; we are to help the least of them. Show these people respect and regard. We all should humble ourselves and realize, we are only one event away from becoming homeless ourselves. Matthew 25: 40 "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

I asked Robin about how/ if she gets a chance to witness to these people about Christ. She said she feels she witnesses in a way where she can plant seeds. She lets them know every chance she gets, how much the Lord loves them. Being an encourager is the role Robin said she believes she was called to do. She always makes a point to make eye contact with the people she serves, and I know, when they look into the eyes of Robin, they see Christ.
I posed the question to Robin about how one is to get involved in volunteering. She had some very interesting advice. The thing that stood out most to me was "if you're not passionate about it, don't do it." But if you are sincerely interested and feel called, find something that you are passionate about. Google is everyone's friend; you can find anything there, even places to volunteer. But also, reaching out to your church is a great way to find out who might need a helping hand. There are so many opportunities out there; it's impossible "not" to find one. Giving of our time and our talents cost absolutely nothing, but the blessing that is received from this is tenfold. Robin is so passionate when she speaks of volunteering, she enthusiastically said "God bless this."  she ends by saying "not only is it the right thing to do; it's our responsibility."
I have given money and goods to some homeless people in the past that I was skeptical of. How do you know if they are homeless? Is the money going to drugs or alcohol or is it being used for food? Whether it's legit or not, if you are following God, that's all that matters, and it makes it legit. We don't answer for what they do, once we follow God, what they chose to do is what they will answer for, not us. It is not our responsibility to know; it's our reasonability to serve. Lessons are learned about humility and kindness during volunteering. Just bringing a smile to someone's face should tell you that you've made an everlasting impression on them.
Reflecting on all of the good deeds that Robin is doing, I can only imagine the wonderful Christian example that she is to her granddaughter. Even though I am a follower of Christ, doing this interview with Robin was very eye-opening. I see so many blessings that I am missing out on by not serving in ways I could be. I want to take my lessons from Robin and put them to use. What a prime example of Christianity Robin reflects.