SOS Celebrates its Volunteers at the San Leandro Marina

On a beautiful Saturday afternoon, the San Leandro Marina was filled with the sound of laughter and gratitude as SOS hosted a special barbecue to honor the incredible individuals at the heart of our mission. More than 100 volunteers who work on our behalf to support older adults in our community gathered for an afternoon of fun, fanfare, and festivities, all designed to express our deepest thanks.

The event was a labor of love, fully planned and catered from our own kitchen. A team led by Head Chef Eric Gremillion spent the week beforehand preparing a delicious feast. The menu featured 36-hour beef brisket, roasted barbecue orange glazed chicken, beef hot links, dill pickle potato salad, scallion and cheddar cornbread and homemade berry cobbler, with thoughtful vegan options including roasted BBQ Tofu ‘Burnt Ends’, potlikker beans, and Mexican coleslaw. Ice cream for the cobbler was provided by Tee n Dee’s Creamery, owned and operated by one of our volunteers.

The lively atmosphere was complemented by games and giveaways, a small token of our immense appreciation for the group upon which our clients love to shower praise. A special “We’ve Never Bee Happier to Lose a Volunteer” award was given to Joseph Salsky, who—after volunteering with us for a year on a limited basis—has come onboard full-time as our Culinary Steward.

Volunteers can be found in every area of our operation—they are among the friendly faces who drive and deliver nourishing meals directly to our neighbors’ doors. Last year alone, this incredible group logged 141,007 miles. They are also the helping hands in our kitchens, diligently scooping food onto trays on our production lines and loading bags for the shelf-stable groceries we deliver for the Mercy Brown Bag program. Volunteers also come to write cards for our clients and to assist with other mailings. They come to us as individuals, as families, and as corporate groups, all united by a spirit of service.

The impact of this dedication is profound. By enhancing our team with volunteer power, SOS saves more than $650,000 per year. Engaging volunteers reduces the number of paid drivers and kitchen staff that would otherwise be needed to do our work. This savings allows us to funnel more resources directly to our clients.

To every volunteer who has given their time, energy, and compassion, we thank you. You are the backbone of SOS.