Good News Garage, a program of Lutheran Social Services will welcome a unique volunteer. Anne Wishart Arnold-Ratliff is traveling the country with the goal of volunteering in each of the forty-eight contiguous United States.
Anne initiated this journey with the hope of finding her purpose in life. She thought the best way to do this would be to do something for others. She carefully selected volunteer opportunities, making sure to have a wide variety of organizations, as well as programs unique in what they provide for the public. “I love that Good New Garage not only provides assistance for those struggling with transportation,” shares Anne, “but they also help them in a way that enables them to eventually provide for themselves.”
Future stops include a homeless shelter farm outside of Boston, Massachusetts. She will volunteer in all the New England states on this portion of her trip. She began on January 4 of this year and has thus far volunteered in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia (her home state), Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, California, New Mexico, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida. The range of her experience spans a family-planning clinic to collecting items for Haiti.
Anne was inspired to do something bigger than herself after a conversation with her grandmother and watching the award-winning film Forest Grump. She specifically connected with the scene where Forest runs across the country.
Her generous action will benefit some Good News Garage Vermont recipients. “Good News Garage has more volunteers than staff,” reports Carmen George, marketing and development manager. “It is inspiring people like Anne who keep our car donation program operating.” Anne found Good News Garage’s volunteer listing on GNG's volunteer page.
Anne and her traveling companion Ashlee will assist in the office as receptionist and clean the repaired donated cars and vans that will go to families who need affordable, reliable transportation. As they head down route 89, they will stop along the way to put up Good News Garage posters.
To learn more about Anne’s journey, visit Good News Garage’s website and read the story that links to Anne’s website. You will also find her on the Good News Garage Facebook page.
Good News Garage accepts any donated car, truck, and van in Vermont. The program’s goal is to repair as many as possible and offer them to qualified low-income people. To donate a car, truck or van, call toll-free 877.448.3288 or submit your car donation online. All car, truck and van donations are tax deductible.
WCAX News coverage of this volunteer story.