Jackie Maxwell
What was your initial motivation in becoming a volunteer at RMH?
Jackie – “I saw it as an opportunity to do good in the community and stretching beyond the community. I tried volunteering other places but did not get the sense of fulfillment that I was looking for.”
You started volunteering in November 2017. Since then you have contributed over 700 hours in less than three years. That is a huge accomplishment and is greatly appreciated by RMH. What is your biggest reward for all your work at the House?
J – “The friendships I’ve made at the House with staff and volunteers, and above all the happiness on faces of people coming to check in at the House.
I checked in one family at the House and the father was in tears during the check in. He said that his family had no place to stay and viewed RMH as their last resort before having to sleep in their car. I see the need on people’s faces and feel good that I’m part of fulfilling that need. As part of the House I feel like I’m having a good impact on the community.”
You are well known at the House for being a police officer and a tour guide at the Yellowstone National Park. How have those experiences influenced you as a volunteer?
J – “I was a police officer for 30 years. As a police officer I was performing community service. Once I retired I couldn’t just stop performing community service. Volunteering is a continuation of that service.
As a tour guide, I am performing customer service and I rely on that experience when interacting with people. It also gives me a talking point when I’m interacting with guests in the House. It offers me a chance to maybe be a little distraction to the guests in the House and hopefully lightens their load a little.”
During the Covid-19 disruption what do you miss most about being in the House?
J – “Interacting with the people!”
What are you doing to keep busy while being at home?
J – “Social media is not something I enjoy that much normally, but I find myself checking it much more frequently. I’m also reading, crocheting, and walking twice a day.”
If you were in the position of having to stay at RMH, what do you think would bring you the most comfort?
J – “Feeling of community with the other guests in the House over meals. Sharing food with others is something that brings comfort to people worldwide.”
Jackie – “I saw it as an opportunity to do good in the community and stretching beyond the community. I tried volunteering other places but did not get the sense of fulfillment that I was looking for.”
You started volunteering in November 2017. Since then you have contributed over 700 hours in less than three years. That is a huge accomplishment and is greatly appreciated by RMH. What is your biggest reward for all your work at the House?
J – “The friendships I’ve made at the House with staff and volunteers, and above all the happiness on faces of people coming to check in at the House.
I checked in one family at the House and the father was in tears during the check in. He said that his family had no place to stay and viewed RMH as their last resort before having to sleep in their car. I see the need on people’s faces and feel good that I’m part of fulfilling that need. As part of the House I feel like I’m having a good impact on the community.”
You are well known at the House for being a police officer and a tour guide at the Yellowstone National Park. How have those experiences influenced you as a volunteer?
J – “I was a police officer for 30 years. As a police officer I was performing community service. Once I retired I couldn’t just stop performing community service. Volunteering is a continuation of that service.
As a tour guide, I am performing customer service and I rely on that experience when interacting with people. It also gives me a talking point when I’m interacting with guests in the House. It offers me a chance to maybe be a little distraction to the guests in the House and hopefully lightens their load a little.”
During the Covid-19 disruption what do you miss most about being in the House?
J – “Interacting with the people!”
What are you doing to keep busy while being at home?
J – “Social media is not something I enjoy that much normally, but I find myself checking it much more frequently. I’m also reading, crocheting, and walking twice a day.”
If you were in the position of having to stay at RMH, what do you think would bring you the most comfort?
J – “Feeling of community with the other guests in the House over meals. Sharing food with others is something that brings comfort to people worldwide.”