Congratulations to our May Volunteer of the Month Spotlight, drum roll please….Marcella Babineaux from St. James Episcopal Church!

Marcella has been an integral part of Family Promise’s success from the beginning.  From her many years of dedication on our founding Board of Directors to staying overnight in our congregations, Marcella does it all.  As a board member, Marcella organized our annual fundraiser Cardboard Box City in the fall.  She is a dedicated and reliable volunteer that can relate to many guests and volunteers.

St. James Volunteer Coordinator, Nancy Winget who nominated Marcella said, “Marcella volunteers as an overnight host at least once every time St. James hosts Family Promise.  She has been known to spend the night as many as 3 times when other volunteers were unable to host.  She always has a smile for the families.  In addition she recruits members of the congregation to volunteer.  She has served on the Board of Directors for Family Promise.”

BIG congrats to Marcella for being our Family Promise May Volunteer of the Month Spotlight!  We are grateful for all the time and energy you have dedicated to our homeless families with children.  You have been an incredible support to Family Promise.  Now, it’s time to learn a little bit more about this special volunteer in her own words.

• Name, Occupation: Marcella Babineaux, retired

• How long have you been volunteering for Family Promise and how did you get involved? 5-6 years, I was involved before we started having quest.   I became involved through GVIA, with Roxanne and Sally Loble.

• Why do you volunteer? Years ago I was homeless for 3 months and wanted to give back.

• What is your favorite part of volunteering for Family Promise? Seeing the children grow from being in a safe happy environment.

• Do you have any favorite memories from your time serving Family Promise? Several years ago at Cardboard Box City, I watched a guest play his saxophone with Diamond and the look on his face when he realized he was playing music was heart warming and priceless.  This young man and his mother attend our church and watching him grow has been beautiful.

• Do you belong to a congregation or are you an unaffiliated volunteer? I belong to St. James Episcopal Church.

• Do you have any kids and/or pets? I have a daughter who lives in Bozeman and a son in Dallas, Texas.  Tucker is my fabulous gentle dog, who usually meets our guest when I am a overnight host.

• From looking at you, no one would guess that…I was once homeless.

• Favorite place to eat: Fiesta Mexicana

• What’s on your book shelf? Endurance, The Bible, The Children’s Bible, Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, Hannah’s List, When Sheep Attack, and the Book of Common Prayer and a huge notebook full of notes on being a church treasurer.

• Who’s your hero? My parents, Maya Angelou, Mother Theresa, and all the single parents who put their children first.