Milton Volunteers inducted into Interfaith Social Services’ Hall of Fame

Arbella Insurance named 2018 Community Partner of the Year

Twenty-five South Shore residents have been inducted into Interfaith Social Services’ Matti Lang Hall of Fame, including two from Milton. The volunteers, who have served at Interfaith regularly for at least one year, were honored at a Volunteer Appreciation Night at the Quincy Elks Lodge on June 14. Arbella Insurance was also honored at the event for their exemplary commitment to volunteerism.

Interfaith Social Services operates one of Greater Boston’s largest emergency food pantries, a mental health counseling center, Thrift Shop and homelessness prevention program. Since 1947, Interfaith Social Services has been a safety net for thousands of children and families from the South Shore who are struggling to make ends meet.

The Matti Lang Volunteer Hall of Fame is named after one of Interfaith’s most dedicated volunteers, who gave decades of his life selflessly serving Interfaith’s clients.

This year’s honorees include:

Braintree resident Jeanne Butts; Cohasset residents Casey Cameron and Sarah Livermore; Hanover residents Angela Fleming and Gail Valles; Hingham residents Jean Accorsini, Gillian Grossman, Pam Harty, Jay Marvin and Ariana McBride; Milton residents Rosalyn Baker-Greene and Linda Baumeister; Quincy residents Stephen Coady, Joyce Feeney, Judy Kiley, Peter Lung, Katie McEvoy, Susan Moorhead, Jean Murphy, Alex Prager, Anita Siwy-Knight and Christine Swanson; and Weymouth residents Terry Donovan, Dea Semini and Ellen Walsh.

In addition to the Volunteer Hall of Fame, Interfaith also honored their 2018 Community Partner of the Year, Arbella Insurance. This award honors businesses or organizations that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to volunteerism.

Jennifer Reale, second from left, and Beverly Tangvik, third from left accepted the honor on behalf of Arbella. Interfaith’s executive director Rick Doane, left, and Director of Development Paula Daniels, right, bestowed the award.  Credit – Courtesy Interfaith Social Services

This is the first year that Interfaith has honored a business with the award. Arbella, who has partnered with Interfaith for at least two decades, was an obvious choice as the initial recipient. Last year alone, Arbella’s employees gave nearly 500 hours of their time. They helped in Interfaith’s food pantry, distributed Thanksgiving meals and holiday gifts to clients, volunteered at the Feed the Hungry Gala and Stop the Stigma 5K, worked in Interfaith’s garden and processed mailings.

“We are so grateful for the philosophy of giving and service that Arbella cultivates in their offices,” said Paula Daniels, Interfaith’s Director of Development. “Arbella’s efforts to instill a culture of service and community engagement among their employees have made a measurable impact on Interfaith and those they serve.”

Beverly Tangvik, President, Arbella Insurance Foundation, and Jennifer Reale, Foundation Program Representative, attended the event and accepted the award on behalf of Arbella.

Volunteers at Interfaith Social Services commit to a three-hour shift per week. Shifts are available Monday-Friday, between 7am and 3:30 p.m. Opportunities include working in the Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop, assisting the Food Pantry Driver in food rescue operations, filling orders for clients in the food pantry, manning the front desk, and stocking and inventorying the pantry.

Those interested in volunteering at Interfaith Social Services are encouraged to contact Paula Daniels at 617-773-6203 ext. 28 or [email protected].