Volunteer Profile - Randy Deutsch

I have worked as a GLWD volunteer for almost ten years. In 2006 I began running orientation groups in addition to my regular Thursday night shift doing food prep- chopping, dicing and schmoozing!

I retired from full-time work pretty young, and wouldn't have been comfortable unless I felt I was doing something productive and meaningful with my time. I had worked in a number of volunteer settings over the years as well as several social service environments in my first career so I knew that I wanted to provide a service that had an immediate impact on the client population. And since I love everything about food - reading about it, cooking it, talking about it, and of course eating it, GLWD's mission resonated with me. In addition, the HIV/AIDS crisis was so overwhelming, taking so many able, young people - I just needed to do what I could to help.

What do I get out of my experience at GLWD? Well that's the ironic part because there's no doubt that I get much more than I give. When you live in NYC or any large metropolis what one needs, at least what I need, is the feeling of community - a group of like-minded people working together towards a goal. GLWD provided me with the most wonderful sense of community and introduced me to a group of people who I am now blessed to call friends. On Thursday nights, I see people - most of whom have worked a full day - who might be going through personal issues. I see them walk in, put on their caps, gloves and aprons and by the end of the shift they've shaken off the day. They're talking and laughing and enjoying themselves. Feeling good by doing good - isn't that what it's all about?

Just in the past two weeks my husband and I were sick with virus-like cold symptoms. It brought home to me yet again, how essential GLWD is. When you are sick and weak, eating is not a priority, and cooking is not happening. Without the services of GLWD people would not be able to survive. Add the comfort of knowing that another human being will be visiting to deliver the meal, say a quick hello, and offer a supportive smile - well the combination is invaluable.

There have been so many special moments at GLWD. But you can't beat a crisp autumn morning in Central Park with thousands of people getting together to run/walk the Race To Deliver, GLWD's biggest fundraising event. Drinking a coffee, eating a doughnut, taking in the splendor of the Park while the runners stretch to the pumped up music is exhilarating. I have always felt a comforting sense of community on RACE To Deliver morning - somehow the City seems smaller and friendlier. The warmth you feel for GLWD makes you think, albeit for too brief a moment, that all is well with the world. And watching the children run their races somehow makes you hope that they will inherit the spirit of the day, and grow up to be better people for it!

I would tell all potential volunteers to come on down! GLWD offers so many opportunities to "give back." The organization is flexible, the lines of communication always open, and you'll enjoy yourself while helping thousands of people survive serious illness every day.