Last Monday, Contact Helpline hosted a pizza party for the 30 Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science students who have volunteered under the group. Contact Helpline provides both telephone crisis intervention and is an initial point of contact to the entire range of available community resources. Carefully trained volunteers assist callers through personal crisis and difficulty. Contact Helpline is also committed to providing daily calls to the elderly or disabled who live alone in an effort to assist them in continuing to live safely and independently in their own homes for as long as possible through our Reassurance program.

Sidney Mason expresses her appreciation and feelings towards Contact Helpline. “I feel like Contact Helpline is necessary for individuals to have a safe haven to discuss any type of issues that could be taking a huge toll on their lives. I believe that Contact Helpline saves lives and I loved volunteering, just knowing that what I am doing is helping people who help impact lives. It’s a humbling experience, not just where we volunteer, but who we volunteer under. Contact Helpline is amazing,” Mason said.

Etricia Easley & Latoshia Williams AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) at Contact Helpline planned the Volunteer Appreciation starting (April 16-20) and wanted to do something special for our MSMS student volunteers who have worked with them on service projects. The Pizza Party was held for students who volunteered at the Christopher’s Hope 5K Suicide Walk/Run held in September, the commissioning service program held in November, or any of the basketball games at MSU. Due to MSMS’s 30 volunteers dedicating 20 hours of service, $23.07 per hour, Contact Helpline totaled $13,842 raised.

“I personally loved volunteering for Contact Helpline, the experience was fun and it’s satisfying to know that your work, even if it is simple work, is going towards a greater cause. Plus, I got the opportunity of working an MSU basketball game. I loved it and I cannot wait to be able to volunteer for Contact Helpline again,” Tyra Lockett said.