This month, we caught up with Store to Door Volunteer Delivery Driver Mike Berry! Mike joined Store to Door as a Delivery Driver April 2020, and has delivered every single week since! In addition to his capacity as a Volunteer Delivery Driver, Mike has served as Store to Door’s Healthcare Advisor with Aldrich Advisors.
Q: You started with Store to Door at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Why did you initially decide to volunteer with Store to Door?
A: A work colleague, who had volunteered with Store to Door, told me about the huge need for help due to the impacts of the pandemic on not only our customers, but also many of our volunteers. I read about the program and thought it sounded like a great opportunity to ‘temporarily’ pitch in to help the community in a time of need. Well, ‘temporarily’ has ended up being well over a year and I welcome my Wednesday morning delivery shift!
Q: What is the most rewarding part of volunteering with Store to Door?
A: Hands down, knowing that Store to Door has provided consistency and compassion to our customers during these difficult times. Not just assuring that they have access to groceries and other important items, but also being able to spend a few minutes on a personal level checking in and just spending some visiting.
Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
A: For almost 13 years, I’ve been a volunteer firefighter/EMT for Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, the 2nd largest fire district in Oregon.
Q: What’s a fun fact about you that you’d like to share?
A: On June 19th, I became a grandfather! My daughter and son-in-law welcomed Mila Rose into our family! My wife and I were able to pop down to San Diego to meet Mila in person over the 4th of July weekend and she’s a doll!
Q: What advice would you give to a new Store to Door Volunteer?
A: A couple things: 1. Don’t be afraid to ask Store to Door staff questions. Every one of them is so helpful and will help you feel more comfortable with your role; 2. Remember you may be one of a very few people that your customer has a chance to talk with in person and share their life with. Take a few minutes to just listen…it means the world to them!