OHIO — One family has made it a long-time tradition to help people experiencing homelessness.

What You Need To Know

  • Sandy Bonneville and her son Russell volunteer together

  • According to a recent report, people from central Ohio donate more of their time than their peer regions
  • Columbus ranked fourth in the percentage of residents who volunteer

Sandy Bonneville and her son, Russell, volunteer together, and they’ve been doing that for more than two decades.

They help in several ways.

“I’ve seen my mom’s big heart; I’ve seen how she’s been always wanting to give of herself to help people within the community and even those close to her,” Russell said. “We deliver food and prepare meals to the local hilltop community. We also coordinate several events here at saint Aloysius, including an annual free community Thanksgiving Day dinner.”

Both Russell and Sandy play instruments often for people who attend mass.

Russell plays the piano and Sandy a guitar.

“I don’t feel it’s anything special,” Russell said. “I just think it’s part of my life. My parents volunteered and did things for other people.”

According to a recent report, people from central Ohio donate more of their time than their peer regions.

Columbus ranked fourth in the percentage of residents who volunteer. Ohioans donated their time 31 hours on average per year, and a total of 623,000 hours annually, according to the Columbus Foundation report.

Among those volunteers are Sandy, her son and her late husband. That’s why Sandy said volunteering with her son is important.

“When you give your time, it makes us, that makes an impact because that’s something you never get in return,” Sandy said. “It’s a bond, especially now that my husband, his dad, has passed.”

When you help others, Sandy said in some other way, you help yourself.

“Volunteering is an antidote for grief,” Sandy said.

But they also have others who donate their time as well.

One of those people is Terry Clark and said it gets tough out there and that is why they try to help as many as possible.

“One guy, it was really bad, really cold out, and they parked the truck over here in one of the lots, and I got out to give him food and he walked over there barefoot,” Clark said.

Many times, they go drive around and stop to drop off food, coats, socks and more.

But Sandy said it’s not only about the stuff; it’s about the morale of someone who has nowhere to go to call home.

“You’re serving dignity when you’re volunteering,” Sandy said.

Russell said they do it with the help of people sending checks and donations to St. Aloysius Community Outreach or Take it to the Streets: Checks can be mailed to St. Aloysius Church, 32 Clarendon Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43223.

While helping others can be challenging, Russell said it’s well worth it.

“I’d say time and resources are often big obstacles,” Russell said. “It’s good that we can do for others for the sake of doing good rather than a paycheck or gain for ourselves.”