A Year in Review: The volunteers who have furthered our work in 2009

As 2009 comes to a close, we wish to pay tribute to the countless volunteers who have furthered our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women throughout the past year. While these photos capture just a tiny fraction of our volunteer base, we thank ALL of our volunteers from the bottom of our hearts for thousands of hours contributed, hundreds of donations collected, and countless lives touched by their generosity.

Jeanne Cochran and WSAZ's Jessica Ralston pose with Soroptimist Club chairwoman Margi High at the annual Soroptimist Fashion Show to benefit YWCA Sojourner's on April 4.

Morgan Miller won WSAZ's "Hometown Hero" award for her Easter basket surprises for homeless children at the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter.

Volunteers at the YWCA's "24: The Underground" rave party on April 24.

DJ Brian Blackout and creative volunteer extraordinaire Alex Morgado.

Volunteers at the India Heritage Fair on May 16, who donated all of the proceeds from their delicious home cooked Indian dishes to the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program.

Members of the Vandalia Rotary Club donated a truck full of laundry supplies along with two sets of washers and dryers to the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter.

Local artists Kemp McElwee and Susan Poffenbarger again volunteered as co-chairs of our annual Vintage Art Auction.

Erin Brewster and Julie Jarrett volunteered countless hours to the planning of our 2009 Girls Night Out "Girls in Pearls" event to benefit victims of domestic violence through YWCA Resolve.

Graphic designer Amanda Easter and Girls Night Out co-chair Karen Farmer were instrumental in organizing and spreading the word about Girls Night Out.

Volunteers from the Kanawha County Association of Retired School Employees spruced up the grounds of the YWCA Alicia McCormick Homes.

Immogene Bennington volunteers more than 40 hours each week in the front office of the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter and saves our program the cost of an entire full time staff member's salary each year.

Volunteers from BB&T cleaned windows inside and out at the YWCA Shanklin Center during the United Way Day of Caring on September 16.

BrickStreet Insurance volunteers spent their Day of Caring completing landscaping projects outside the YWCA Past & Present Gently Used Clothing Store.

Volunteers from Star USA Federal Credit Union gave rooms at the YWCA Child Enrichment Center much-needed coats of paint.

Ladies volunteered their time to make our Guys Night Out event on October 1 run smoothly.

Tom and Bobbi Grant, co-owners of Wellington's of Scarlet Oaks, have donated their time, talent, and restaurant space for 23 consecutive years to host the annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner to Aid the Homeless.

Volunteers serving a delicious meal at the Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner.

NFL superstar Randy Moss and his entourage surprised the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter with a truck full of new bedding, games and toys for the children on November 25.

Volunteers from Read Aloud West Virginia brought Santa to the YWCA Sojourner's Shelter, along with boxes of books for the residents on December 9.