“Volunteering is my mission. It’s where God wants me to be.”

Susan has been volunteering at New 2 You for seven years. Before she started volunteering, she worked in a variety of roles, from being a nurse at Butterworth to managing the upscale restaurant TJ Benedict, to operating a toy store, and to working in the Life Enrichment department at Holland Home. In each new place, Susan found enjoyment and could feel God working through her right where she was. That feeling is the same now.

One day, while shopping at New 2 You, she decided to ask if we needed more volunteers. Soon after, she became one of our dressing room attendants and then our Tuesday afternoon cashier, which is a perfect fit.

Interacting with customers is her favorite part of volunteering, and she never misses an opportunity to shine for Jesus. After each customer checks out, she wishes them a blessed day. Even with our Spanish-speaking customers, she blesses them in their native language. It is very important to her to recognize customers in a spiritual way and help them feel seen and appreciated. Sometimes she notices pain on a customer’s face and will ask for their name so she can pray for them later or, if the moment is right, she will pray for them on the spot. In these moments, she has seen so much gladness and is confident that God’s mission for her right now is to reach out to those who are hurting.

Susan deeply enjoys volunteering and would come every day if she could. She loves her role, and she’s a firm believer in the good of secondhand—just by working here, she knows that she is serving the Lord, the Earth He created, and the community. The store is a Christ-like environment, and the people are Christ-like, so being here is truly a blessing for her, and she prays that it is for others, too.

A little bit more about Susan: she grew up here in Grand Rapids and has lived within a ten-mile radius her whole life. This city is where her family lives, so she loves it all the more. She has two brothers, one sister, and two children, whom she loves dearly. They all share a passion for music and singing, which is especially meaningful to her. She looks very fondly on her years of playing violin in a symphony and singing in three different bands.

Apart from volunteering, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, and reading. No matter the time of year, she often drives to Reed’s Lake and reads in her car. World War II books are her favorite. She also serves on the board for the community center Hermitage at Diamond, which used to be the church where she was baptized and married.

We love Susan and are truly inspired by her faith. Thank you so much, Susan!