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Generations enjoy common goal in volunteering

By Frances Borsodi Zajac fzajac@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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Jaydon Jones, 10, grabs a box of canned goods and prepares the process of filling it with other food items while volunteering at the Connellsville Area Community Ministries food pantry in Connellsville. Jones is one of the youngest volunteers at the facility donating his time two days a week.

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Roberto M. Esquivel|Herald-Stand

In the top photo, Arlene Bossart, 65, sorts clothes and other items while volunteering for Connellsville Area Community Ministries in Connellsville. Bossart and her grandson, Jaydon Jones, volunteer their time twice a week at the ministry. Above, Jones, 10, grabs a box of canned goods and prepares the process of filling it with other food items. Jones is one of the youngest volunteers at the facility.

CONNELLSVILLE — Jaydon Jones watched as a woman carried a filled box from the food pantry at Connellsville Area Community Ministries.

The 10-year-old boy made sure to speak to the woman before she left, saying, “Have a great day, ma’am. God bless you.”

Jones is one of the youngest volunteers at Connellsville Area Community Ministries, an ecumenical ministry in its 40th year that is located at 110 W. Crawford Ave. and serves those in need in the Connellsville Area School District. Programs include the food pantry, crisis services, lending of medical equipment and life skills mentoring as well as a thrift shop.

The youth is volunteering two days a week this summer, introduced to the ministry by his grandmother Arlene Bossart, 65, who started volunteering here in January. Grandmother and grandson are both from Scottdale.

“It makes me feel happy,” Jones said. “I like helping people who need food.”

“I get emotional,” said Bossart, her eyes filling with tears. “Most places don’t want to bother with people but (the ministry) wants to help. It’s just a great place.”

Jones is not the first child to be introduced to volunteer service at the ministry by his grandmother.

Chip Rowan, executive director, pointed out Madison Hawk, 12, of Connellsville has been volunteering for five years, coming with her grandparents, Jim and Linda Basinger of Connellsville.

In all, Connellsville Area Community Ministries has about 100 volunteers, either participating as part of a program or on their own. They encompass all ages. Everyone is appreciated.

“We couldn’t operate the ministry without volunteers,” Rowan said.

“And we can always use new volunteers — as much or as little as they can give. Even one day a month.”

Bossart became a volunteer after a representative for the ministry came to speak to the United Methodist Women at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Scottdale where the family belongs.

“I was very touched,” she said.

Since she retired three years ago from National Envelope, Bossart, who is married and has two grown children and five grandchildren, has been volunteering at the Scottdale food pantry.

But, she noted, that is only one day a month. Bossart volunteers everyday the Connellsville ministry is open 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

“I do everything except run the cash register (in the thrift shop). I stock shelves, price things, make up food boxes,” said Bossart, who was spending this particular day sorting through donation bags and boxes.

Jones is the son of Bossart’s daughter Cassandra Shaw and Danny Jones, and younger brother to Travis and Austin Keller. A fifth-grade student at Southmoreland Elementary School, Jones likes to play video games as well as football, basketball and baseball.

When Shaw asked Bossart if she could watch Jones a couple of days a week during the summer, Bossart mentioned her commitment to the Connellsville ministries and asked Jones if he wanted to come with her. Jones agreed and was put to work in the food pantry where he’s enjoying himself and making lots of friends.

“I love him. He’s great,” said Harry Porterfield, who has been volunteering for nine years.

“He’s one of the fastest learners we have. Very few young men would ever do what he does,” said Bill Swan, who has been a volunteer for about a year.

Rowan remarked, “God has called us to help our neighbor and he gets to experience that. It’s great to see Jaydon and Arlene together.”

Bossart said of her grandson’s commitment, “It makes me feel proud.”

Rowan is also grateful for the many adult volunteers and said of Bossart, “She’s a blessing to us. She’s always wanting to help and has a positive attitude. I’m glad God sent her here.”

Bossart said, “It’s nice to see that you can bring some light into people’s lives.

We don’t know what people have. Some people have nobody. Everybody’s always smiling here. It’s a happy place to work. God willing, I’ll be here until I can’t come anymore.”

Just as Bossart approves of Jones’ work at Connellsville ministries, Jones is just as happy with his grandmother.

“She’s a hard workers,” said Jones. “I’m proud of her — way proud — super proud.”

Information on volunteering at Connellsville Area Community Ministries is available online at www.connmin.org or by calling 724-626-1120.

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