Longtime PORCH volunteer Cyndy Jones has been with the organization since its earliest days. For Cyndy, the most important thing about volunteering with PORCH has been family: bringing her family with her to serve the community, engaging with families in her neighborhood to donate food, and seeing the impact PORCH has on local families. Read more about what volunteering has meant to her over the past 16 years of PORCH’s history below!
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Volunteer Highlight: Cyndy Jones
How did you hear about PORCH and when did you start volunteering with us?
My husband Hank and I moved to Chapel Hill in January 2004 from Connecticut with four young children. I started my career down on Wall Street after graduating from Babson College. Once I met and married Hank we opened a book store in Putnam County NY which we ran together for 14 years before deciding that we wanted to move to a college town. We chose Chapel Hill for a better climate, diversity and good public school system and have loved it.
I became involved with the PTA in the kids’ schools and met Debbie Horwitz and Susan Romaine through our kids. I started volunteering with PORCH when they started it. I was a neighborhood coordinator and helped sort and hand out food from the start. For quite a few years I picked up a UHaul and went to Costco to pick up the chicken and produce that Debbie had ordered.
What is your favorite part about volunteering with PORCH?
Volunteering for PORCH makes me feel good! I’ve never had to worry about whether I can/could afford to buy groceries to feed my children. Seeing how grateful the families are that come to shop at PORCH warms my heart. I try to sign up to help whenever I am in town and there are open spots to fill.
Is there a role at PORCH that either of you are absolute pros at?
I’M NOT A PRO AT ANYTHING (editor’s note: not true)! I like checking families out and bringing food to their cars. Before the Hub opened I was on check-in for the families as they drove through the distribution line.
How does volunteering in general fit into your life?
We are now somewhat retired and travel to see our kids and new grandson often. When I am in town for the neighborhood coordinator collection I enjoy trying to get neighbors to donate. I enjoy the people I meet when I volunteer. My daughter Sarah and son Harry used to help with PORCH when they were in high school and home from college. They always asked to help when they were home. Bottom line… volunteering for PORCH makes me feel good and that I am helping families who need the help!