Meet 8 Seacoast volunteers who make us all thankful

Staff report
Updated ·5 min read

Thanksgiving is a great time to focus on being thankful to the volunteers of Seacoast New Hampshire and southern Maine, the people who make our local communities work.

Did you know volunteering in New Hampshire is valued at $32.54 per hour, while in Maine it’s $28.89? That how valuable the work is, according to Independent Sector, a coalition of nonprofit organizations. In both states, hundreds of thousands of volunteers each year do important work worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Robin Albert is well known in the Seacoast, especially for her volunteerism. She has given her time to The Music Hall in Portsmouth for years.
Robin Albert is well known in the Seacoast, especially for her volunteerism. She has given her time to The Music Hall in Portsmouth for years.

But it's not about numbers and money to the people who give their time. They do it because they care about people who have needs, and they care about the community.

We're proud to present profiles of eight volunteers among the many in the Seacoast. Read below and follow the links to learn more. You just might be inspired to find your own volunteer opportunities. Lots of information is available on the websites of local nonprofits mentioned in our profiles, as well as at volunteerNH.org and for all states at greatnonprofits.org.

Jenny Taylor, Gather

Jenny Taylor of North Hampton has been with Gather since 2016 and was hired on staff after volunteering for several years.
Jenny Taylor of North Hampton has been with Gather since 2016 and was hired on staff after volunteering for several years.

Jenny Taylor started volunteering at Gather in Portsmouth in 2016. And she did such a great job the nonprofit decided to hire her in August. She is now Gather’s senior data manager. Before being hired, the North Hampton resident volunteered in the warehouse, sorting food, and then in the pantry. She volunteered at the point where her kids were getting older. She’d always volunteered so much at school and for their activities. “I loved doing something for the community," she said.

Read Jenny Taylor's story and learn more about volunteering at Gather.

David Davidson, Footprints Food Pantry

Footprints Food Pantry volunteer David Davidson describes the food distribution at the Kittery facility.
Footprints Food Pantry volunteer David Davidson describes the food distribution at the Kittery facility.

David Davidson knows what drives him to volunteer to organize the chaos that's involved in running Footprints Food Pantry in Kittery, Maine. Volunteering at Footprints, he thinks, “makes us all remember that we're fortunate enough if we have a job or are retired, we have the funds and the resources to go food shopping, even though I complain about the prices.”

Read David Davidson's story and learn more about volunteering at Footprints Food Pantry.

Deb Branscombe, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

Deb Branscombe brings therapy dog Buddy to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, where the dog's visits are popular with patients and staff.
Deb Branscombe brings therapy dog Buddy to Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, where the dog's visits are popular with patients and staff.

Deb Branscombe of Nottingham and her golden retriever, Buddy, visit Wentworth-Douglass Hospital every Wednesday. Often it’s tough getting down a hospital hall or out of an office. Everyone wants to see Buddy. “They say ‘We’re so glad it's Wednesday. You just made our day so much better,’” Branscombe said.

Read Deb Branscombe's story and learn more about therapy dog training and volunteering at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

Jake Wolterbeek, Habitat for Humanity York County

Jake Wolterbeek loves volunteering with Habitat for Humanity York County.
Jake Wolterbeek loves volunteering with Habitat for Humanity York County.

Jake Wolterbeek took the suggestion of his neighbor in Wells that he might like working for Habitat for Humanity York County. He started in the ReStore and has gone on to work on two homes the nonprofit built in Cape Porpoise, and a third, which was recently finished, on Normand Avenue in Sanford. “It’s a win. It's really a huge win for everybody,” he said. “That home goes on for the rest of their life."

Read Jake Wolterbeek's story and learn more about volunteering at Habitat for Humanity York County.

Robin Albert, The Music Hall

Robin Albert is well known in the Seacoast, especially for her volunteerism. She has given her time to The Music Hall in Portsmouth for years.
Robin Albert is well known in the Seacoast, especially for her volunteerism. She has given her time to The Music Hall in Portsmouth for years.

“Communities just don’t work without volunteers,” says Robin Albert, a beloved volunteer at The Music Hall who lives in Portsmouth. “I think it's really about building a community and knowing that your time matters. Your time can be just as valuable as your dollars.”

Read Robin Albert's story and learn more about volunteering at The Music Hall.

Martha Foley-Jackson, St. Vincent de Paul food pantry

Martha Foley-Jackson is a longtime dedicated volunteer at St. Vincent De Paul food pantry in Exeter.
Martha Foley-Jackson is a longtime dedicated volunteer at St. Vincent De Paul food pantry in Exeter.

Martha Foley-Jackson of Stratham has been volunteering with the food pantry in Exeter for about 27 years and she emphasizes the importance of making people feel comfortable. “I greet people when they come in. I crack a couple jokes and just talk with them. I have to take their name. I try to do it in a confidential way,” she said. “I love the volunteers, but I really genuinely love the clients. With the times now, there are so many people who are hurting, and it's important for them to have dignity just as we all should. ... All that matters is that you treat people with respect and you make them feel welcome.”

Read about Martha Foley-Jackson as part of our in-depth story on volunteering in Seacoast New Hampshire and Maine.

John Menton, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

John Menton is known as "The Candy Man" in his role as a volunteer at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
John Menton is known as "The Candy Man" in his role as a volunteer at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

Volunteer John Menton of Strafford is no stranger to the rooms of the Seacoast Cancer Center. His wife spent five years receiving treatment as a cancer patient there with Menton always at her side. He went through surgery, radiation and four-plus years of chemotherapy with her. After her death, a book that was suggested to him reminded him of how to put meaning back into his life. “It’s about caring for other people. I no longer had anyone to care for." Now he's known as “The Candy Man" at the cancer center, bringing joy to patients and families.

Read John Menton's story and learn more about volunteering at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.

Jules Grant, Gather

Jules Grant of Portsmouth is a volunteer with a focus on cooking for Gather.
Jules Grant of Portsmouth is a volunteer with a focus on cooking for Gather.

Jules Grant of Portsmouth brings her cooking abilities to Gather, where she says all the volunteers feel a shared passion for providing food to people who need it. “I feel like anybody who has a skill that can be used for a greater good should try to do that."

Read Jules Grant's story and learn more about volunteering at Gather.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast volunteers: Meet 8 people who give their time for community