Love INC hosts open house
By DANA HERRA dherra@daily-chronicle.com
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| Love INC volunteers David and Barbara Ellison tell attendees at the organization's open house Sunday the story of how they became involved. "We had to push a few people out of the way to get to the pastor, saying, 'This is for us,' " David Ellison joked. Dana Herra – dherra@daily-chronicle.com |
DeKALB – When summer heat hit last week with triple-digit temperatures, Love INC was ready. The organization gave away five air-conditioning units that week, executive director Nathan Scott said, and there are more where those came from.
“I sent out an e-mail to our churches, and I got a call, then another call from people who had one,” Scott said. “That was a need out there that wasn’t being met.”
The Christian ministry hosted its first open house over the weekend. One of 135 chapters nationwide, Love INC of DeKalb/Sycamore partners with 30 local churches and various social service agencies to act as a sort of central clearinghouse of services.
Clients call with a need – whether it’s for an air conditioner, diapers, gas vouchers or some other need – and volunteers connect that client with services offered by its partners.
The group’s geographic area is bordered by Routes 72 and 30 to the north and south, and goes as far east as Cortland and as far west as Shabbona.
In May, there were 37 calls, Scott said, and 50 in June. If the state follows through on proposed cuts to social service agencies, he expects to see that number swell quickly, as some agencies are already directing clients they can’t help to Love INC.
In May, the group met about 87 percent of the requests clients made, Scott said. Some needs, like emergency financial help, it was unable to meet. Others, like an individual who wanted gas vouchers to drive to New York, were denied.
“We try to protect our churches as well. That’s why we don’t accept every call,” he said.
Volunteers David and Barbara Ellison said the organization has been an answer to their prayers. The couple always wanted to do some kind of volunteer work, they said, so they began praying God would direct them toward some way they could give back.
“I’m not able to put on a roof or fix plumbing or fix a car, and I felt a little left out,” David said. “When the pastor talked about this in church, we knew this was for us.”
David acts as the clearinghouse coordinator, coordinating the volunteers who take phone calls from 9 a.m.-noon weekdays.
The group hopes to get enough volunteers to start an afternoon and possibly evening shift, as well as occasional Saturdays.
“The resources of this community are fabulous,” David said. “People are out there wanting to provide, but they don’t know where the need is. It’s our job to coordinate it.”
Love INC of DeKalb/Sycamore
Love INC volunteers take calls Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-noon. The group is looking for more phone volunteers to work existing shifts or to begin afternoon or weekend shifts. Contact them at 815-217-0082.
