By Marian Pontz
“I have connected with the Gifts That Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair from the very beginning,” Supporter and Volunteer Extraordinaire, Pati Frey, tells me.
Frey spent 25 years in the corporate world, is the mother of two children, and was raised with the idea that one should give back. And does she ever! In fact, she recently spent two weeks in Grasse, France – working with underserved people from Tunisia and Algeria. In total, she has traveled on 13 trips with World Vision.
Frey splits her time between Boulder, Colo., and Lancaster, Penn. In both towns, she has found nonprofits to support with her time and funds, including the YMCA of Lancaster and the Museum of Boulder.
She is, of course, also a big supporter of Lancaster’s Gifts that Give Hope Alternative Gift Fair.
“The GTGH Fair is a great way to showcase nonprofits in the county,” Frey says. “So many charities need visibility to increase their financial impact and volunteers.”
She shares that there is a similar event in Denver. While attending the Colorado-based alternative gift fair, she was connected to a charity with which she is involved. Connections like these are one of the missions of GTGH: To connect people, expand their perspectives, showcase ways to help and experience the power of positive change.
Frey – a strong advocate for volunteerism – believes in the power of awareness. She points out that the Boulder newspaper regularly lists at least two pages of volunteer opportunities within the community; perhaps emphasizing regular opportunities to get involved could lead to a greater impact and awareness of one’s community and its needs.
As a world traveler, humanitarian, and GTGH supporter, Frey embodies the words that she shares with me; she asks that we all remember: ”The needs in the world are great… We need to be aware, open our hearts, and remember everyone deserves the best life possible. Everyone has value.”
