Together We Cope honors its wonderful volunteers

Dozens of south suburban residents were honored in April during Together We Cope’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at the Garden Chalet in Worth.

Earning top honors for volunteer hours logged at the Tinley Park-based homeless prevention agency during 2022 were Len Schaafsma of Oak Forest at 1,069 hours, Jean Milligan of Posen at 850 hours, and Sharon Marth of Orland Park at 763 hours.

Schaafsma is a longtime volunteer and served previously on the agency’s board of directors. He is a retiree with boundless energy who has worked in every facet of the operation, and answers the call for everything from driving the truck to fixing a leaky faucet.

Jean Milligan has been a fixture in the Nu2u resale shop operation for many years, working in the back of the shop sorting the hundreds of clothing donations that come in the back door daily. Sharon Marth also has served the agency for many years, working at the resale shop register answering questions and ensuring that customers have a good experience at Nu2u.

“Our volunteers are the face of our agency, so they are critical to our operation,” said TWC Executive Director Kathryn Straniero. “They greet and serve clients at our food pantry, assist shoppers at our resale shop, and handle calls from residents seeking help during personal crises. They manage special programs such as Back to School and Santa’s Workshop. We could not function without them.”

Together We Cope is a homeless prevention agency headquartered in Tinley Park and serving residents of Bremen, Orland, Palos and Worth townships. The agency assists families and individuals in temporary crisis by providing food, clothing, housing, some financial assistance, and referrals to other agencies in the region. TWC’s main office at 17010 So. Oak Park Avenue in Tinley Park is currently closed for renovations following a fire late last year, and at this time cannot accept donations of food, clothing or housewares. Reopening is expected in late spring. In the meantime, employees are working from the agency’s administrative office a few blocks away providing some client services. Further information is at 708-633-5040.