Last week Open Arms celebrated our 5 millionth meal delivery, and we were lucky to have volunteer Sarah Nybo deliver it to Erica’s family.
Sarah, a 16-year C.H. Robinson employee, has volunteered with Open Arms for years. She helps coordinate weekly deliveries, delivers food, and volunteers at events.
Sarah told us, “I love the mission of Open Arms, the camaraderie and friendship I have with all the staff at Open Arms and certainly not least, the interaction with the clients – seeing the appreciation and comfort that these meals bring them, their caregivers and families.”
Last year, Sarah discovered she had a rare gene mutation that puts her at an extremely elevated risk for stomach and breast cancer, and she decided to undergo preemptive surgery. Open Arms was a critical resource in helping Sarah recover and learn how to eat after her surgery, from liquids to purees to soft foods and finally to her new normal diet.
She values the chance to pay this support forward. “Volunteering with Open Arms has served as a lifeline that helps keep me grounded and GRATEFUL for all of the good fortune I’ve had in my life,” she said. “It’s a reminder that lives can change with a single lump found or an abnormal lab result discovered, and that we all need a network of people to lift us up when times get hard.”
Sarah appreciates that volunteering with Open Arms gives her a way to lift others up. “It has reinforced for me that I’m truly happiest when helping others,” she remarked. “It’s easy to lose sight of – or even worse – intentionally turn a blind eye to the people in your community who could use a hand.” She encourages everyone to prioritize giving back: “Make the time and you won’t regret it.”
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