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| The New England Patriots Honor MVP Rene Michaud! |
Nahant resident Rene Michaud has been a volunteer “driver” at My Brother’s Table in Lynn since 1983, shortly after he retired from the Quality Control Department at GE.
This June his volunteer efforts were acknowledged when he was named a 2006 New England Patriots Community MVP. At a Gillette Stadium ceremony, he received a carved MVP football from New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft and his wife, Myra, on behalf of the Patriots Charitable Foundation. My Brother’s Table received a $1,500 grant in recognition of his volunteer work. |
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For 23 years Rene has, picked up and loaded MBT’s truck with donated food from supermarkets, wholesalers, bakeries, hotels and restaurants. He then delivers and unloads the food at the Lynn soup kitchen. This food is used in the Table’s daily meals and other programs, such as, our senior outreach, a diner shuttle for chronic and terminally ill people and their families, as well as in a luncheon program for homeless people.
Not only is Rene a great driver, he is an excellent good-will ambassador for the largest soup kitchen on the North Shore. He is always on the look-out for new donors and donations. Given that we use several hundred thousand dollars in donated food each year, his contribution to our mission is invaluable.
Since My Brother’s Table opened in 1982, we’ve provided close to two million free meals to needy people in our community. This is needed help for Lynn where 53 percent of the population has been identified by the federal government as low income and where families with small children and the elderly are the most vulnerable according to census figures.
Because of his long tenure and extraordinary dedication as a volunteer, we estimate that Rene Michaud has been involved in supplying some of the food for at least a quarter of those two million meals. In an organization which has 2,500 volunteers each year, Rene Michaud is a standout. At 85, he is a member of the greatest generation. This former Naval Aviator (WW2 and the Cuban Missile Crisis) demonstrates all of the qualities that mark that generation. He is committed to the job at hand--in this case community service.
He is here to volunteer every Monday--no matter the weather--as well as every Monday holiday with the exception of Memorial Day. We estimate that he has volunteered here on over 2,200 days. He continues to do so because his help is still needed and, as he says,” it’s fun.” Click here for more on the Patroits website! |
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| A Special Thanks! |
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It can be true to say that volunteerism is the heart and soul of My Brother's Table. Along with donations of food and money, it is the work of the volunteers that make feeding the hungry of our community everyday possible. The time and care that is used to prepare, cook, serve, and clean for the good of others is tremendous. Yet, the results of this effort can be seen on the faces of the hundreds of guests in the dinning room each evening, and that makes it all worthwhile.
In celebration of the spirit of volunteerism, My Brother’s Table each year holds the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in recognition of the hundreds of individuals who give of themselves for the benefit of others. It is the Table’s way of saying thank you for their generosity and service.
Although My Brother’s Table staff and guests value the contribution made by every volunteer who passes through these doors, every year there are a few who stand out in their eyes. These exceptional people receive the honor of Outstanding Service Awards, given to them by the staff of My Brother’s Table.
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| Volunteer Server of the Year - 2003 |
Walter Haug, Volunteer Server of the Year in 2003, was one of the founding members when My Brother's Table first began over twenty years ago. Along with countless number of hours volunteering over the years, Walter was also Office Manager for some time, and held a position on the Board of Directors. When asked of his experiences while serving at the Table, Walter says he regards it as a “neutral benefit” to the city of Lynn and its surrounding communities. Through his service he receives personal satisfaction because “I am sharing some of my good fortune with others.” Walter lives by the phrase “practice what you preach,” adding, “I couldn't profess to be a practicing Christian and ignore the hungry of the community.” We thank Walter immensely for his service, both past and present, at the Table.
We at My Brother's Table thank you hundreds of volunteers for your service and commitment from the bottom of our hearts. Each and every day of the year you truly “make miracles” happen. |
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