Diana Groenewoud’s smiling face fits right in at the Café.
She loves to serve customers, as she both contributes to and benefits from the friendly and cheerful Café community.
“I felt called to do something like this because I enjoy people, I just enjoy the laughter and the buzz in this room,” explained Diana. “It’s a Christian atmosphere. If I can be just a joy to others, as they are to me, it’s worth coming here for the few hours that I volunteer.”
Diana has volunteered for the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf (CCCD), a COAH ministry partner, since 2018.
She began coming to the Café for coffee with a friend. “It seemed such a really neat, happy place, I thought this would be a really nice place to volunteer also.” Diana has served at the Café counter since October 2021.
“I’ve always worked with people,” said Diana, who is retired after 35 years in the Holland Hospital nursing office. “I enjoy talking and being with others.”
Diana described a welcoming, joyful atmosphere at the Café that gives her a chance to serve others while also being uplifted and fed by them.
She finds joy in touching other lives, here at the Café or, through the CCCD, changing lives as far away as Jamaica.
“I believe that’s what we are here to do, in our daily walk with Christ. To serve others,” she said.
“I leave here so happy. I really do. I definitely, definitely would encourage others to volunteer at the Café.”
Café Director Megan Behler is eager to add more volunteers for food prep or counter service – people with food service experience or those eager to learn new skills. Duties could include counter service, pulling orders for the Café’s new online ordering system, operating the new hot sandwich grill station, or preparing salads and wraps.
Volunteers typically take a two- to three-hour shift, one day a week. Contact Megan at Cafe@coahm.org to find out more.
Cafe volunteers serve others in ‘happy place’
