At Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB), our volunteers are the heart of our mission to empower people with vision loss to thrive. Every hour spent reading mail, providing companionship, or supporting daily tasks creates a meaningful ripple effect across our community. In honor of National Volunteer Appreciation Month, we asked a few of our dedicated volunteers to share their experiences. Their stories offer a glimpse into the impact of small acts of service — and the deep connections built along the way.
Damian
You are new to CLB’s volunteer program. What sparked your curiosity about CLB?
I found out about CLB while conducting research into organizations around DC that work to support people who are blind or visually impaired. As someone hoping to work professionally in a related field, I was eager to get a better sense of what services exist to serve members of the community.
What inspired you to become a volunteer? Specifically, please describe your volunteer role.
Ultimately, I was inspired to volunteer to make a clear and positive impact in an increasingly chaotic environment. I volunteer as a mail reader, for which I visit a consumer at home to read and help respond to mail, organize paperwork, and assist with other related tasks. At the same time, we both enjoy the added benefit of time spent visiting socially and discussing current events.
How are you making a difference as a CLB volunteer?
I find my volunteer engagements through CLB incredibly rewarding. We all know how overwhelming mail and paperwork can get, and being able to tackle that jointly every week is clear evidence of a relatively small effort making a huge difference to an individual. Beyond that, the consumer with whom I volunteer is strongly community-minded, and we are currently working together to research potential avenues of funding to further develop community spaces.
Would you recommend CLB’s volunteer program to people seeking ways to impact the community?
Absolutely! CLB has a variety of volunteering options available and it is clear that they have both the consumers’ and the volunteers’ best interests at heart. I felt well-prepared and continue to feel supported.
Therese
What sparked your curiosity about CLB?
I’ve been a volunteer for the CLB since September of 2024. My awareness of the CLB volunteer program was negligible except I knew they were an established organization for many years in the DC metro area. This volunteer work is of interest because I wanted to give back to the community with my time and energy; something I wasn’t able to do for the last forty years due to work commitments.
Please describe your volunteer role.
AT CLB I’m a Reader for one client. I see this customer once a week usually. We are well paired as we both enjoy music, keeping up with the news and getting out for rides, grocery shopping or just a cup of coffee. As time has past, we’ve grown the relationship by understanding more about our different perspectives.
How are you making a difference as a CLB volunteer?
My perspective has changed as my understanding grows with experience as a CLB volunteer. I have an acute admiration for my customer and her stoic approach to life as a visually impaired person. I feel I am making a difference by facilitating organization, transportation, and weekly conversation and companionship.
Would you recommend CLB’s volunteer program to people seeking ways to impact the community?
I would wholeheartedly recommend CLB’s volunteer program because it helps a community of people who appreciate reasonable, thoughtful assistance. CLB volunteering allows one to be a small part of an unimagined life, guided by the true grit it takes to navigate the world as a sight impaired person.
Barbara
You are new to CLB’s volunteer program. What sparked your curiosity about CLB?
I wished to help others live to their fullest potential despite restrictions.
Please describe your volunteer role.
To inform of printed materials related to notices, statements and publications.
How are you making a difference as a CLB volunteer?
To help loneliness, isolation, and build safe communities where we all can learn important lessons from each other shared experiences.
Would you recommend CLB’s volunteer program to people seeking ways to impact the community?
Hopefully serve as a role model and how we can improve humanity.
Thank you to all our CLB Volunteers
We are deeply grateful to all our volunteers whose compassion, commitment, and generosity light the way for so many in our community.
If you’re inspired by these stories and would like to join us, please reach out to jhunter@clb.org to learn more about becoming a CLB volunteer.