Sisters Joyce Brophy and Barbara Doherty join Sandy Phyne and Linda Malooley at the Providence Center volunteer luncheon April 13.

Volunteers who give of their time and talent to Providence Center, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence and the official welcome center at Saint Mary-of-Woods, were honored at an April 13 luncheon.

Whether it’s working the reception desk in Providence Center or at The Gift Shop, staff managers left no doubt that the volunteers’ efforts are appreciated.

Brother Barry Donaghue, cfc, director of Providence Center, used one word to describe the volunteers — “dedicated."

“They make life a lot easier,” Barry said of the women who comprise the Providence Center volunteer corps. “There are some tasks that we have on a periodic basis, but they take some major work. “It’s nice that we have people we can call on.”

Providence Center Associate Director Linda Malooley agreed.

“Providence Center could not run without our volunteers,” Linda said. “Some of them actually ‘run the show.’  Just ask them,” she added, with a smile. “A few of our volunteers are rather new with us ... but there are some who have been with us since the first conception of Providence Center. Sister volunteers are so important here because the public wants to see and talk to the actual Sisters of Providence. We cherish our volunteers.”

In addition to Sisters of Providence, lay people play a role in the Providence Center volunteer staffing.

Sandy Phyne chats with Sister Rose Marita Riordan. Both volunteer in The Gift Shop at Providence Center.

Sandy Phyne, an employee of the Sisters of Providence Human Resources Department, also volunteers as a sales associate in The Gift Shop at Providence Center, which is managed by Debbie Victor. In addition to Sandy, Sisters Rose Marita Riordan and Ann Brendan Burget volunteer in The Gift Shop.

“Our volunteers truly are our best natural resource,” Debbie said, playing off the theme of the volunteer luncheon. “We couldn’t run The Gift Shop without our volunteer staff. I really value their presence and what they contribute.”

Providence Center volunteers honored during the luncheon were Sisters Marie Alexis Geiger, Lucy Lechner, Ann Stephen Stouffer, Joyce Brophy, Rita Lechner and Suzanne Smith, who is coordinator of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Providence.

Sister Barbara Doherty, coordinator of the Office of the Shrine of Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, is assisted by volunteers Sisters Louise Schroeder, Joanne Golding and Helen Dolores Losleben.