Volunteers are the core of Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, transporting clients to medical appointments and other places as needed. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — A small coalition of churches founded a nonprofit in March of 1990, and Good Shepherd Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers (GSIVC) continues all these years later providing essential services to those in need.

The agency offers requested services, including transportation, medical equipment lending and friendly calls and visits to those who would otherwise have no such resources.

“We first check with other agencies to see if a client’s needs can be met by them,” said GSIVC Executive Director Paula Marrone-Reese. “If not, then we match one of our volunteers to serve.”

She added that when possible, individuals may also receive help on small home repairs if there are volunteers available who are qualified.

“Our services are all free,” Marrone-Reese stressed, although, she said, there are operating expenses for the organization.

Good Shepherd serves all of Jefferson County, and those who have needs may reach out to the organization via phone. Some clients also reside in Berkeley County. Marrone-Reese said that if the volunteers are available to assist those outside of the county, they will do so.

Currently, the organization has a full-time staff of two, down from five. While the coronavirus pandemic played into that decline in staff, funding also contributed.

GSIVC did, prior to the pandemic, have an office, where individuals could come. After the pandemic, it has been determined that the off-site operation is more sufficient to meet the needs of clients. The office, located on Route 45, now serves predominately as a medical equipment lending site that allows those needing said equipment to schedule pick-up.

Other appointments are often held at the office, as well, but on an appointment basis rather than walk-in.

“Now, the reduced staff work remotely, increasing their productivity,” Marrone-Reese said.

She added that although the staff has decreased, and there is always a need for additional volunteers, the increased need of those requiring services continues to rise. One of the highest areas of need is for medical transportation.

“As more people find the need for services due to health conditions, new volunteer drivers are required to take residents to doctor’s appointments or to and from dialysis,” Marrone-Reese said.

She added that the number of people suffering from social isolation is also increasing, which can be addressed through phone calls and planned one-on-one visits or outings. As with all organizations, especially ones that rely solely on volunteers, the need to add more volunteers to the roster continues to grow.

Marrone-Reese shared her concerns that the community may believe that GSIVC is no longer serving members of the community. That could not be further from the truth. While at one time the founding churches, all within the Shepherdstown area, were constant contributors of goods and volunteers, that has fallen off over time, and the agency has had to reach beyond those churches for support.

While its remote work has assisted the organization financially and helped the minimal staff adapt to a greater workload, it has also led some in the community to wonder what has become of the agency.

“Community members, especially those that were familiar with the presence of Good Shepherd, were now seeing it as the absence of Good Shepherd,” Marrone-Reese said, adding that it has become a common theme to hear remarks about “What is going on with Good Shepherd?” “We have an increased workload with more responsibilities and clients requesting services. We operate with less staff and less volunteers and need community support more than ever.”

Those wishing to serve as a volunteer or to make a donation to GSIVC are encouraged to reach out to Marrone-Reese by calling and leaving a message at 304-876-3325. She may also be reached via email at paula@gsivc.org.

“If you have one hour, two hours or five hours a week to volunteer, we can use you! Seniors will benefit from any help that can be given,” Marrone-Reese said. “And, if there’s a senior or someone living with a disability who lives nearby you, consider reaching out to them to offer help or simply let them see a friendly face. Our children learn from watching us. If they see us valuing seniors, and being a helper, being a good neighbor, they will learn to value seniors and to be a good neighbor.”