Local Residents Inducted into Volunteer Hall of Fame at Hingham Event

Nineteen local volunteers were recently inducted into Interfaith Social Services’ Matti Lang Volunteer Hall of Fame, including three Hingham residents.

Interfaith has become an epicenter for volunteering on the South Shore. Last year local residents gave 22,245 hours of service at the center.

Linden Ponds in Hingham, an Erickson Living community, hosted this year’s Volunteer Appreciation BBQ and Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Over 100 volunteers turned out for the elegant event. They enjoyed a dinner of hamburgers, hotdogs, ribs, corn on the cob salads and delicious deserts.

Since 1947 Interfaith Social Services has served as a multiservice center for families and individuals from the South Shore. Interfaith’s food pantry served over 18,000 people last year. Their volunteer run thrift shop sorted over 8,000 bags of clothing and household goods. They outfitted low income job seekers with professional clothing and prevented homelessness for hundreds of families. All of this was accomplished because they have an army of volunteers helping to get it all done. 

From answering telephones to stocking shelves, Interfaith’s programs are staffed by over 90 volunteers who fulfill weekly assignments “We are very proud of our community based service model,” said Interfaith’s executive director Rick Doane. “Interfaith has been serving this region for over six decades, it would be impossible to carryout our programs without an amazing team of people. Volunteers make it happen; they are the heart and soul of our organization.”

Hundreds of additional volunteers from various community groups, schools, houses of worship and local businesses also volunteer at Interfaith each year. Some businesses like Arbella Insurance, State Street and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts regularly send groups of volunteers to assist within Interfaith’s various programs.

The Matti Lang Volunteer Hall of Fame is named after one of Interfaith’s most dedicated volunteers who gave decades of his life selflessly serving Interfaith’s clients. The honor of being inducted into the Hall of Fame is bestowed upon those volunteers who have been serving within the organization regularly for at least one year. These individuals, from the following towns, were honored at this year’s induction ceremony. 

Braintree: Maureen Mills and Karen Van Alfen - Dorchester: Nicole Burnett and Irene Smith - Taunton: Jean-Marie Doyle - Fall River: Jessica Martin - Hingham: Ally Donnelly, Sarah Paramore and Greg Wallingford - Hull: Andree Camobreco - Milton: Janice Ferrera and Anna Folcarelli - Quincy: Wayne Batson, Dorothy Fredey, Lynn Guilbault, Yolonda Hughes, Wafa Lavelle and Gayle Ryan - Scituate: Todd Broderick

Those who are interested in volunteering with Interfaith Social Services are encouraged to contact volunteer coordinator Paula Daniels at 617-773-6203 ext. 28.

–Interfaith Social Services