April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. What better time to spotlight our HVAF employees and volunteers as they share, in their own words, their unique volunteer experiences in the community. All month long, we’ll be sharing their stories on the HVAF blog.

Meet Doneeka Harris, HVAF’s Social Worker

The one good deed that touched my heart was when I worked as a volunteer in 2009 at Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound (CASA). CASA is a non-profit agency affiliated with United Way in Huntsville, Alabama. They provide services to individuals age 60 and older and to those who are home-bound (wheelchair and bed bound) of all ages. Their goal and mission is to help the aging and home-bound individuals remain at home and in a comfortable environment, to maintain their independence, dignity, health, and safety by providing services that specifically address their needs. Their work includes providing them with shower chairs, walkers, building ramps, canes and shower heads.

 As a volunteer, I helped place orders. I was also studying to be a Social Worker and had the opportunity to work with a Case Worker to see how she did her job. Together, we made sure clients had everything they needed to make them feel comfortable and safe while they spent their last moments with their families and friends. While volunteering, I helped over 100 individuals and that made me feel good and very thankful to have had that opportunity to be able to help.