Home » Cathe Reams Named Rainbow Village 2011 Volunteer of the Year

Cathe Reams Named Rainbow Village 2011 Volunteer of the Year

Posted on May 27, 2011 by phavens

On Saturday, May 21^st before a room full of volunteers, residents, board and staff members Mrs. Cathe Reams, Director of Marketing for Siemens One, was stunned and humbled when she was announced Rainbow Village’s 2011 Volunteer of the Year.

As she made the announcement Nancy Yancey, Rainbow Village CEO, shared, “I’m not sure Cathe fully grasps the depth and breadth of her impact at Rainbow Village. She has inspired us to think big and try exciting new things. Cathe has a servant heart and giving is just part of her DNA. She lives a life of great influence and inspires so many around her to engage and leave this world better than they found it.”

Cathe has volunteered with Rainbow Village for more than four years, sharing her many talents giving, teaching, mentoring and advocating. Each year her involvement has grown and she’s brought more and more of herself and her resources to the table. She’s managed to infuse her professional resources with her personal passion to make significant contributions to the residents at Rainbow Village.

Here are just some of the highlights of what Cathe Reams has done at Rainbow Village:

• Organized and led multiple days of service
• Secured more than $10,000 in foundation grants
• Inspired hundreds of others to volunteer their time and talents
• Enabled Rainbow Village staff members to attend the Disney Institute
• Donated more than 20 bikes to Rainbow Village children
• Sponsored Rainbow Village’s Annual Golf Classic
• Adopted Rainbow Village families for the holidays
• Taught Life Skills courses on personal branding to residents
• Defined an exemplary Mentoring Program that will guide and inspire residents for years to come.

Sondra Blue, Volunteer Coordinator for Rainbow Village, adds, “Cathe has contributed hundreds of hours to our mission and truly understands the importance of breaking the cycles of homelessness, poverty and domestic violence.  She has introduced friends, colleagues, clients and family members to Rainbow Village and has personally challenged them to engage in exciting ways. Cathe is always full of exciting new ideas and is constantly watching for opportunities for us to work collaboratively with her company and others in the community to further our mission. She’s a true blessing to our organization.”

As she accepted her award Cathe Reams shared, “I was very lucky to be raised by parents that required us to volunteer and give back.  It’s just a part of who I am and how I live. I’m also blessed that I’ve got a great job with a company that allows me to give so much of myself to others. It’s the Siemens Community Excellence Awards that make giving local grants like this possible.” She continues, “I love that here at Rainbow Village I’m helping real people that one day could be my neighbors, my customers, and my colleagues. They have asked for help and are willing to do their part to build a new life for themselves. I am a part of their path and it has changed the way I see the world. Volunteering at Rainbow Village is incredibly rewarding and I’m blessed to be partnering with these families on their journey.”

In addition to naming our 2011 Volunteer of the Year, some inspiring words were shared from residents and other volunteers during the Volunteer Appreciation Brunch program. Resident Tamara Coates shared words of true gratitude to all in the room saying, “To me volunteering means so much more than just giving time. You may think it’s just little things you are doing but to me and my family they are major in our life. Whether it’s helping carry a cup or plate to the table or holding my baby while I eat or redoing the property where I live, all mean the world to me and my family.”  Another teen resident, Taylor, expressed her thanks saying, “Volunteering is basically doing something out of the goodness of your heart. Volunteers don’t HAVE to work with us, they WANT to work with us. I speak for all of the children here when I say that volunteers here at Rainbow Village all have a special place in our hearts.”

Our 201o Volunteer of the Year Michelle Alcorn shared words of inspiration as well saying, “Here at Rainbow Village I have come to learn the real meaning of the body of Christ. Rainbow Village embodies it. Here we are the hands and feet of Christ sharing so many gifts and talents. God has brought us to the table. We touch the lives of people here in a major way and we need to share our passion with others.”

We thank Cathe Reams and all of our more than 800 volunteers for the tremendous contributions you make to our families and our mission. We are grateful for you all!

See pictures from our Volunteer Appreciation Brunch