- April 17, 2024
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When the request went out recently for local host families and their exchange students to volunteer together at the Sheltering Tree’s weekly dinner for those in need, hosted by First United Methodist Church in Bunnell, the response was enthusiastic.
“We have wanted to do something like this as a family for some time now,” said Pattie Toolsie, the host mom to Beatriz Nasorri, from Brazil.
Don Pope, host dad to Christoph Lehmann, from Germany, knew his family would be on board, too.
“We wanted to let the teens know that a lot of these people are just like us — maybe one missed paycheck, one broken car, one medical emergency away from losing their former lifestyle,” said Dorothy Kelly, the CCI Local Coordinator who arranged the project.
The students and families caught the bug. “We loved it and want to do it again,” Nasorri said.
The shelter opens its doors to those who have nowhere to sleep on cold nights, and runs a clothing and food pantry.
To volunteer at the meal services or shelter programs, call Shelter Coordinator Carla Traister at 517-7305. To volunteer to host an exchange student for the second semester or a few weeks this summer, call Kelly at 585-4676.
