I wrote this poem in March 2024 in response to a request or a ‘commission’ (without money). The request was for a poem that was to be presented to a special volunteer who had led and worked with Helping with Furniture, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to support those in need of furniture and household goods as part of stepping forward in life in our community. I was honoured to be asked and so pleased to be at the presentation of the award (and poem).
More than a table, more than a chair
We come together so others may share
We take the used; we take the old
We create another story to be told
Help is in our name, it’s who we are
We help those who come from near and far
Those who are in need for a helping hand
To find a sofa, bed or TV stand
We take donations of items that could be used
If they still have a life and not been abused
We sort and store them for others to see
Then provide a future with a price that’s free
But we do more than that for it’s more than cents
We add our caring to make a real difference
The person we help could be stranger or friend
We’re about creating future; not an end
This person needs help to get them through
As they re-build their life or start anew
The space they fill with what we have is a part
A part of their home for their life and heart
At HWF, we don’t think of ourselves as stars
We volunteer as this community is really ours
Yet we each are a light that casts a warm glow
Helping others way more than we’ll ever know
We’re more than a table and more than a chair
We’re people with heart who really care
By helping others, we ourselves grow
Together we’re better no matter how the wind blows.