CREW FILMS LOCAL VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION

With a little bit of lights, camera and action, Faith in Action, that is, the Washington, D.C. film crew set up outside Zion United Church of Christ on July 12 captured a slice of small town goodwill at its best.
The crew was sent at the request of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sponsors of Martin Luther Home's volunteer Faith in Action program.
The assignment, delegated to communications professionals Paul Frick, Stacey Farnen and Tom Keith of Home Front Communications, was to create a video showcasing the Faith in Action program across Iowa. Also filmed were Faith in Action organizations in Webster City and Council Bluffs.
The finished film is to be presented at the Iowa Faith in Action convention this August in Des Moines. It will also be released to area television stations throughout the upper midwest.
The film's intent, according to Martin Luther Home program director Mary Lynn Revoir, is to increase awareness and serve as a recruit incentive for the Faith In Action program. "We're a neighbor helping neighbor program," says Revoir. "And we're just always in need of volunteers."
While Waukon's FIA program is channeled through Martin Luther Homes, FIA remains an individual state-wide program, working within a variety of organizations. Relying strictly on charitable grants and donations through organizations such as Wheatridge Ministries of Itasca, IL, the volunteer FIA program provides respite care to persons desiring to remain living in their own homes.
Volunteers assist with homemaker tasks such as meal preparations and light housekeeping. They may help with grocery shopping or appointments. And sometimes, having somebody else in the house is just plain, good company.
"We're a bridge to help ends meet," says Revoir. Potential volunteers complete a brief questionnaire of scheduling specifics. The coordinator then seeks to match the volunteer with a community member in need of service. "I think the term 'friendly visitor' describes our services best," she adds.
Currently, there are an estimated 50 FIA volunteers throughout Allamakee, Winneshiek and Clayton Counties, with the largest portion serving Allamakee. For liability reasons, volunteers must be 18 years of age. Other than that, all that's required, says Revoir, "is a desire to serve."
As an interfaith volunteer program, FIA works closely with local churches, who have endorsed the project since its 1996 conception. Churches are a good source of volunteers, reports Revoir, often placing updates within the weekly bulletin.
It's this sort of community networking Homefront Communications picked up on right away. "They called us on Monday and sent the film crew from D.C. Wednesday at 8 a.m.," Revoir says. "The fact that we worked so quickly pulling everyone together obviously makes a statement," she adds.
Current FIA projects include Children And Teens Contributing Help (CATCH), and Telepal. Both seek to increase involvement among the youth population. Telepal, targeted at 10 and 11 year olds, will begin this fall at St. Patrick's. Students will maintain weekly contact with area elderly. Pending project success, future plans include incorporating the program into the public school and on to Waterville. In addition, annual events, such as spring and fall fling, offer youngsters a service opportunity.
The FIA program, reports Revoir, is in need of five to ten more volunteers, for which the required time commitment is just one hour per week on average. Faith In Action volunteer coordinator, Karen Snitker, may be reached at 568-3992.
"It has been exciting," Revoir says, "to see an idea turn into a vision, turn into a reality. People have really stepped forward in the community to help."
Any day, the film footage will arrive from the D.C. crew. Interviews with local FIA volunteers, program coordinators, spring fling participants, and Rev. Einck and wife, Carol, will be viewed.
And who knows? The second video, aimed for area TV, might show up one evening near the 10 p.m. news, reminding Iowans that good news is still news after all.