Whatever ones individual political persuasion, the January 20th inauguration of our 44^th president marks a new beginning. President Barack Obama has called for Americans to join, not only in a National Day of Service (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), but to commit to serving their community throughout the year.

In 2008, Open Arms prepared and delivered 259,315 meals to 1,128 people in the Twin Cities who are living with chronic and progressive diseases. We couldn’t have done that without the 31,000 hours of service our volunteers contributed. Seven days a week, we need volunteers to help prepare, package, and deliver meals. Without that help, we couldn’t for one day do the work we’re committed to doing: nourishing people who are ill.

Over the next six weeks, a new video profile will be revealed in a weekly email blast, then posted here for viewing. These videos were directed and produced in a joint project between Open Arms and a Communication and Journalism class at the University of St. Thomas. Their task, to reveal what volunteering at Open Arms means to six volunteers; to show, not only why they volunteer, but how transformative it has been in their lives. The end result is inspiring.

So, go on, become inspired … view the videos to the right and see what it’s like to be part of the Open Arms community. You might just find, as our other volunteers have, that you get more than you give.

Help us open our arms wider - join us today.