Coming Together as a Community
I just want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who came out to Cleveland Pickle Fest. What an amazing day for GCV! The weather was perfect, the energy was incredible, and the support from our community was overwhelming. It was great to see so many familiar faces and meet new ones, all gathered together to celebrate and support local businesses, everything pickle flavored, and of course Greater Cleveland Volunteers. Thanks to you, Cleveland Pickle Fest was a big success and helped us raise much-needed funds to keep our work going strong.
That day reminded me of what community truly means. When we come together for a shared purpose, something magical can happen. And right now, as our nation faces a government shutdown, that sense of community is more important than ever. This is a time for us to look out for one another and to stand up for those who are most vulnerable. Instead of pointing fingers, we need to come together and lift up those who need support the most.
One of the best ways we can do that is through volunteerism and by making sure our elected officials hear from us. We need to remind them that the programs supporting our neighbors, families, and seniors are essential. That includes ending the shutdown and fully funding the social support networks and national service programs that help people live with dignity and hope.
Here is a bit of good news. Advocacy really does make a difference. Thanks to the efforts of our team, our partners, and community members like you, along with organizations across the country, we are seeing signs of progress in Washington. Recent funding bills that have passed through congressional committees still include support for AmeriCorps programs, including RSVP, which Greater Cleveland Volunteers depends on to connect older adults with meaningful service opportunities. While AmeriCorps is still in some members’ crosshairs, and the appropriations bills do not fully fund the programs AmeriCorps has run in the past, the fact that the RSVP program and other critical programs appear to be on track to be funded is a big deal.
That did not happen by accident. It happened because people like you spoke up. You shared stories. You reached out to your representatives. And the proof is in the pudding. It mattered. We are not at the finish line yet, but the momentum is on our side, and that is something worth celebrating, at a time when we need to highlight our victories wherever they appear.
To everyone who continues to show up, whether you volunteered at an event, joined us at Cleveland Pickle Fest, or took time to contact your elected officials, thank you. Your passion and commitment fuel everything we do. Because of you, Greater Cleveland Volunteers is able to support more than 100 nonprofit organizations across our region, connect older adults facing isolation with a “pal”, and improve literacy in our area elementary schools.
We are the community we are because of you. Together, we will keep building a Cleveland that is stronger, kinder, and more connected than ever.
