By Julie Perry,
St. Francis Gift and Thrift Store Manager
By definition, a volunteer is a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task. At Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska (CSS), it is so much more. It is showing up with heart and compassion, and serving with CSS’s core values of Dignity, Integrity, Empathy, Trust, and Sustainability.
We are truly blessed with the very best volunteers. Day in and day out, they live out our mission to perform the Works of Mercy in response to the call of God. Across the agency—and especially at Saint Francis Gift and Thrift—they bring love into every encounter without hesitation.
April 19–25 is National Volunteer Week, a time to recognize the impact of those who serve. Saint Francis Gift and Thrift (SFGT) has been part of the Auburn community for 22 years, and while much has changed, one thing has remained constant—our dedicated volunteers. Their commitment is the foundation of everything we do. Quite simply, CSS/SFGT could not function without them.
Many of our volunteers have been serving since the very beginning, returning week after week with unwavering dedication. They have set a high standard for those who follow. Watching seasoned volunteers mentor and connect with new volunteers is inspiring and heartwarming. We are more than a thrift store—we are a community united in caring for our neighbors in need.
That impact is measurable. In 2025, CSS recorded 103,703 volunteer hours agency-wide—an average of 284 hours every day. Auburn contributed 3,188 of those hours, averaging 266 each month. Volunteerism continues to grow, with 884 more hours than the previous year. We are also fortunate to welcome support from community groups, including the Auburn National Honor Society, God Teens, the Peru State College Catholic Group, St. Joseph Parish CCD, Saint Paul Lutheran Youth Group, and Union Bank & Trust.
Because of our volunteers, CSS Auburn provided $16,574 in financial assistance, served 1,597 individuals with food, 932 with personal care items, 462 with clothing and household goods, 300 with holiday meals, and 150 young children with diapers. None of this would be possible without their generosity. As St. Vincent de Paul, patron saint of volunteerism, reminds us: “I will always welcome joyfully any opportunity that comes my way to be of service to you.”
Serving alongside our volunteers is a privilege. When SFGT opened in 2004, I was a teenager helping my dad—a dedicated volunteer—with pickups and deliveries. After college and 12 years working in the Auburn school district, I felt called to serve in a new way. In 2023, I joined SFGT as an assistant manager, and today I am honored to serve as manager. Having my family volunteer alongside me makes this work even more meaningful. It is a joy to serve my community with people who mean so much to me.
As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, we are reminded of Mother Teresa’s words: “Never be so busy as not to think of others.” Our volunteers embody this every day, giving their time, talents, and hearts in service to others.
We look forward to celebrating our volunteers during the week of April 19–25, but the truth is, their impact cannot be contained in a single week of recognition. Their generosity is woven into the daily life of our community—seen in the meals served, the clothing provided, the kindness shared, and the dignity restored in every encounter. They show us what it means to care for one another in meaningful, tangible ways.
Volunteerism is not just something we celebrate—it is something we depend on, something that strengthens our community, and something that inspires others to step forward and serve. Each act of service, no matter how small it may seem, creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond what we can see.
We are deeply grateful for every hour given, every task completed, and every heart that chooses to serve. As we honor our volunteers this week, we also invite others to consider how they might share their own time and talents. There is always room for one more person willing to make a difference. Is that you?
Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week—and don’t forget to recognize the volunteers around you, not just this week, but throughout the year.
