Brewpub organizes volunteer organization

Source: Ann Arbor News
"Peace, love and beer."

That's the motto of the Arbor Brewing Company Volunteer Corps, the good-time, good-help gang recently organized by ABC proprietors Matt and Rene Greff.

"I couldn't believe how many people wanted to get involved," says Matt, who with Rene opened their brewpub in downtown Ann Arbor almost six years ago.

It all started about four years ago with ABC's Sunday morning breakfasts for the homeless. Begun several years ago, they're held the second Sunday of each month at the restaurant, staffed by ABC volunteers, including a core group of ABC employees.

That's led to volunteer shopping for Warm the Children, the Ann Arbor News program which buys new winter clothing for children in need. Initially the Greffs and ABC employees shopped, but then a small written solicitation placed on ABC tables drew outside volunteers.

"People came up to us," says Matt. "We got names, addresses, telephone numbers scratched on napkins, coasters, matchboxes, little scraps of paper. We got e-mail. People just wanted to help."

In January, the Greffs called an organizing meeting which led to a 35-member database. The goal, they say, is to become a clearinghouse for volunteers, linking nonprofits with volunteers, particularly for one-shot events.

"People really want to donate their time," says Rene. "They just don't have the time to make the contacts. We can make it easy."

The typical call for help goes out in an e-mail message. Whoever has the time responds. Some ABC volunteers concentrate on one task. ABC employee Damon T'ai Vukasovic, for example, bakes biscuits for the Sunday breakfasts.

Since that initial meeting, groups such as Planned Parenthood, Great Lakes Radio Consortium and Performance Network have tapped ABC volunteers for jobs such as envelope stuffing and fund-raiser food service.

It's also been fun for the Greffs.

"We've made a lot of great friends," says Rene. "The community service stuff is the best part of our job."
Source: Ann Arbor News