Thankfulness in North Alabama
The Volunteer Center of Morgan County, Inc.
Interviewed by Shirley E. Hammond, FASID, NCIDQ, RID
With a 50-year history in Morgan County, The Volunteer Center of Morgan County, Inc., under the current leadership of Casey Coleman, has an amazing scope of projects. Not only does this organization “lead” projects of need but also “partners” with existing organizations. This insures full coverage without overlapping coverage. The ability to network with other non-profit organizations as well as develop specific programs gives this organization the ability to target needs and ensure accountability. Its mission is to:
“…mobilize people and resources to address the issues that are important to the community and strengthen the capacity of local organizations to meet community needs through volunteerism.”
Some of their projects and partners for 2023-24 are:
Project: Wheelchair Ramp’s: (Spring to Fall)
Partners:
Habitat for Humanity
Central United Methodist Church
Decatur Baptist
First Baptist Church
Decatur Fire & Rescue
Covenant Counseling & Consulting, LLC
Lifepoint Church
Decatur Methodist Church
United Way
Individuals: Mike Keck and Maben Yount
Project: Small Home
Repairs: (Year round)
Partners:
Habitat for Humanity
United Way
Mosaic
Morgan County Contractor’s Association
Morgan County Builders Association
Project: Holiday Hope Chest: (Shoebox’s given to underserved children in Morgan County)
Individual donors:
Central United Methodist Church
Decatur Baptist Church
First Baptist ChurchLifepoint Church
Decatur Methodist Church
City Church
First United Methodist Church
Delta-Omega Decatur High
Jug Club – Decatur High
Teen(s) in Alabama Leadership program
Organizations and after school programs that receive the shoeboxes:
Boys and Girls Clubs of North Alabama (Morgan Co. Only)
Head Start
Hartselle Head Start – Pre-K
Decatur Youth Services Jubilee Christian Academy
Kidz, Tweenz, and Teenz
Loving Hands Learning Center
Morgan County System of Services
Parents & Children together (PACT)
Sterr’s Daycare
T&F Learning Center
Turner Early Learning Center
Volunteer Opportunity Partnerships:
United Way – Day of Caring
Mosaic- Wet Dog – Sizzle and Smoke
Carnegie Art Center – Mardi Gras, River Clay
Habitat for Humanity – home building volunteers, intake for small home repairs
Parents and Children together – Touch a Truck
Community Free Clinic- dinner volunteers
Pryor Field – Air Show volunteers
Decatur Youth Services – local events and tutors
Boys and Girls Club – tutors and onsite volunteers
Hands across Decatur – meals for unsheltered
American Legion – Wreaths across America and Flag Day
Needs material List for the Volunteer Center of Morgan County 2023-2024
**A warehouse or storage unit to hold items on needs list.
Regular size shoeboxes (lid separate preferred)
Christmas wrapping paper
Tape
Lumber 2×4’s, deck boards, deck screws, post and railing for wheelchair ramps.
Lumber for window exterior windows, door frames and threshold
House windows
All-purpose flooring
Handicap rails and bars for bathrooms
Paint (neutral colors)
Paint supplies
Concrete (fast drying preferred)
Light bulbs
Light fixtures
Kitchen and bathroom faucets
Tarps
Are you thankful? Are you inspired? Here are links to signup:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AAFAA2EABF4C52-45523683-christmas
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AAFAA2EABF4C52-45525012-christmas
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4AAFAA2EABF4C52-45526044-ramp
Casey Coleman, Executive Director
The Volunteer Center of Morgan County
811 Second Avenue, SE, Decatur, AL 35601
ccoleman@vcomc.org
vcomc.org
256-355-8726
Casey Coleman, originally from Columbia S.C., has resided in Decatur for 28 years. She and her husband, Steve, have two children, one serving in the U.S. Army.
In the non-profit sector for seventeen years, she currently serves as the Executive Director at the Volunteer Center of Morgan County. Casey’s background in human resources has prepared her to connect people with the right resources, to make partnerships and have a positive impact on the people of Morgan County.
Casey has completed the Executive Leadership Program from the University of Michigan – Ross School of Business (2016) and the Excellence in Leadership program with the Decatur- Morgan Chamber of Commerce (2023).
Additionally, she is a member of Noon Rotary and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce, serving as Program and PR chair. Casey, we are thankful to have you in our community!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
