A spirit of thankfulness is in the air and that extends to volunteers, which play a huge role in the Dublin community.
One special volunteer is Gwen Osman, otherwise known as Mama Whoo at Christian Women’s Job Corps- Transformation Pathways in downtown Dublin.
Anyone who has been to CWJC lately may have noticed a new, nicely organized section of books. Whether looking for Christian volumes, kids’ books or fiction, CWJC has it all. And shoppers can easily find it now.
This is thanks to Mama Whoo, a committed volunteer who has spent many hours organizing the books.
According to Juanita Brawley, Executive Director of Transformation Pathways, in August of last year the store had accumulated more than 200 boxes of books. They were piled uop with no organization to them, making it extremely difficult for shoppers to find what they were looking for.
With a single clerk to work the whole store and a limitedsupplyof volunteers, Juanita knew she had a problem on her hands but no way to solve it on her own.
So she prayed for someone who loves books to enter her life and be able to help.
After the death of her mom and years of taking care of her, Gwen was lost and wasn’t sure what to do, so a participant of CWJC and a relative in Dublin through marriage named Sarah offered her a place to live.
When Sarah began taking classes at CWJC, Gwen came to the devotionals that Juanita teaches and asked if she could also volunteer.
Juanita agreed with an enthusiastic ‘yes’ and mentioned the need for the books to be organized while giving a tour of the store.
Before she knew it, Gwen was sitting, reading through each and every children’s book, organizing them into seasonal sections and age/ reading level.
Starting in the spring of last year, the project was one of love and dedication, and has garnered her the title of Volunteer Book Coordinator within the walls of the store.
Her love of books didn’t stop there and CWJC agreed to allow her to give a free book to each and every child who walked in the store.
“I am so thrilled that the little kids are reading,” Gwen said. “That’s my primary goal.”
Gwen shared a sad story of a mom ignoring her child while paying attention to her cellphone and said with the world we live in. She feels putting down screens and picking up a book, especially between families, is more important than ever.
“I just feel like a lot of children are being ignored,” she said.
Both Gwen and Juanita agree with that one free book, children and parents are reminded of how important literacy is. Juanita admits the store has sold many more books since the organization and the bright, loving personality of Mama Whoo has entered the building.
“It’s been really neat to see people come in and embrace both Mama Whoo and the book section,” Juanita said.
Gwen is not the only volunteer that helps with the store and the books, and Juanita said this Thanksgiving she is blessed by having so many of them.
“I’m so grateful that they volunteer their time,” she said.