Big hip, hip hooray to Fred and Joyce Parson, our December Volunteer(s) Spotlight of the Month! Fred and Joyce have been Volunteer Coordinators for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints since we opened our doors in March 2006. This power couple has been supporting our homeless children with families with incredible dedication and love since we began our program.

This couple goes above and beyond the call of duty nearly each week that their congregation serves our families. Fred and Joyce are volunteers who truly care about our families and how homelessness has effected each guest. A former guest Lisa told us why she appreciated Fred and Joyce as volunteers for the Family Promise program:

There are [volunteers] who you will meet that you will never forget like Fred and Joyce. They are people that I will never, ever forget in my life. They are two of the best people that I have ever met. You know they are just so grandparent-like. They’ll tell me, “did you do your homework?” and that’s the kind of thing that I liked about Family Promise because it made it feel homey. -Former Guest, Lisa

The Parsons greet each new volunteer on their first evening serving Family Promise with a smile and provide assurance that they are there to answer any questions a new volunteer may have. The LDS congregations partner with the First Presbyterian Church and the Bozeman United Methodist Church. However, Fred and Joyce are always willing to provide volunteers to help congregations that might need a little extra helping during a hosting week. On top of all that, the Parsons make time to come to every Family Promise event they are able. Every year they pick up dozens of pizzas for Cardboard Box City, they attend nearly every family’s graduation celebration and never hesitate to stop by our Day Center just to say “hi”.

The Parsons are truly a gift to Family Promise. The next time you see them, please tell them THANK YOU for all their hard work, time and dedication to our organization. Now that you have heard why the Parsons were nominated for this award let’s learn a little more about this fabulous couple!

Name, Occupation: 

Fred and Joyce Parson, retired

How long have you been volunteering for Family Promise and how did you get involved? 

We began with Gloria when Family Promise started in March 2006.

We are members of the GVIA (Gallatin Valley Interfaith Association) an interfaith group that recognized the need to care for the invisible population of homeless families with children in the Gallatin Valley.

Why do you volunteer?

We enjoy providing a “hand-up, not a hand-out” to our many homeless (residentially challenged) needy brothers and sisters of many faiths (with children) here in the Gallatin Valley.

What is your favorite part of volunteering for Family Promise?

Watching guest families grow in the program seeing them graduate and succeed upon completion of their Family Promise experience.

Do you have any favorite memories from your time serving Family Promise?

Seeing guest families succeed and having one of these families featured in a article published in Hallmark Magazine.

Do you belong to a congregation or are you an unaffiliated volunteer?

We coordinate the Family Promise activities for the Bozeman Montana Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) as a partnering congregation with the hosting congregations of the Bozeman United Methodist Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Bozeman.

Do you have any kids and/or pets?

We have a 28 month old dog Sheena, an Australian Shepherd Black Lab mix who keeps us very busy with her activities and adventures.

From looking at you, no one would guess that…

We are young at heart and still try to figure out what we want to be or do if and when we ever grow up.

Favorite place to eat:

Home or any other place where we don’t have to do the dishes, clear the table or clean up the kitchen!

What’s on your bookshelf?

Over 24 shelves featuring books of all kinds and the usual accumulation of other stuff.

Who’s your hero?

Our founding fathers who settled and established this Great Nation-the United States of America.

Many, many heartfelt thanks to Fred and Joyce Parsons for all of their love and support of the Family Promise program! We are grateful to have you as our Volunteer Coordinators and biggest fans!

Best,

The Family Promise Staff