Volunteer Profile: Verginia Aylesworth, "Jill of Many Trades."

More than 600 volunteers contribute over 2,000 hours of work monthly to North Helpline, which collects food and financial support to distribute to those most in need in north King County, including Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. 

One of those volunteers is Verginia Aylesworth.

“At almost 79 years young, Verginia looks and acts like someone who is 30 years younger.  She’s never sick and she comes into work every day, sometimes twice a day depending on what needs to be done.  She’s always cheerful and has a great sense of humor, “ said Lynda Locke, special projects coordinator at North Helpline, who nominated Verginia. 

Patch interviewed Verginia recently about her volunteer efforts with North Helpline. 

Q: How long have you been volunteering with this organization?  

Verginia: About 10 years

 Q: How did you hear about North Helpline? 

Verginia: My church was invited to help distribute food at the food bank every other month and that started my association with North Helpline.

Q: What do you do at North Helpline? 

Verginia:  During the week I volunteer as a counselor in the Emergency Services Program which provides rental and eviction support, and utility shut-off aid.  We also offer additional services for homeless clients such as food that doesn’t need to be cooked and is in pop top cans for easy access, and hygiene products .  My other responsibility is to help get the food, especially the bread products, organized and ready for clients who come to the food bank.

Q;  Why did you choose to volunteer at North Helpline?  For example, there are many non-profit groups out there, what is special about North Helpline?

Verginia:  It was a good place and the people are great to work with there.  Hopefully it fills a need and it is close to home.

Q:  Why do you spend your time volunteering?  You are not getting paid for your time, what inspires you to make this commitment to North Helpline? 

Verginia:  I have the time, enjoy sharing, and care for others. It also fills my need to be useful.

Q:  Share something unique about your self.

Lynda added this on behalf of Verginia:  Verginia is very modest but she has many talents—whenever there is something unusual we need at the food bank she’s the first one I call.  For example, she has a wood shop at home, and knows how to use it.  She has made everything from a large tape dispenser that we use to cover our food bank cards, to a “take a number” holder, out of wood.  She has generously donated every craft supply that I’ve ever needed for my projects, she dresses up as an elf during the holidays, and is always cheerful and pleasant to work with.

For more information about North Helpline, please watch the videos associated with this story or visit:  http://northhelpline.org