The Volunteer of the Week is Ginger Weaver Donohue. She was born in Vicksburg and went to high school in Bad Kreuznach, West Germany. Donohue is the vice president at Regions Bank, where she has been employed for 22 years. She has been married to Robert “Bob” Daniel Donohue IV for 35 years and they have two children, Robert “Daniel” Donohue V and Virginia-Leigh De France, as well as three grandchildren, Breelyn Donohue, Robert “Robbie” Daniel Donohue VI and Harlynn Virginia DeFrance. Donohue is the daughter of Donny and Virginia Weaver.

How did your volunteering begin?

I started volunteering as a small child with my mother, volunteering for Easter Seals, March of Dimes, Crawford Sreet United Methodist Church and many women’s clubs. Growing up, I watched my mama and daddy, not having the money to donate, giving their time and talents to many organizations from ball teams to many nonprofit organizations. They taught me that if you don’t have $1, to give .25 away, and if you don’t have any money, to give your time and talent. It was through my parents that I found my love of community, church and people. My wish is that I will always make my mama and daddy proud of me and carry on the values they taught me.

How long have you been volunteering?

I have been volunteering with United Way for over a decade holding several positions and following in the footsteps of five amazing women. I also volunteer for Kiwanis, Vicksburg Warren School District, Hinds Community College, Canopy, CPS, Catholic Charities, United Way and anyone else that I can help with through financial literacy, food, clothes, books, whatever they might need from me.

What is your favorite memory from volunteering?

There are so many, but this one shines through: When my children were growing up, my mama would take them and let each of them adopt an angel at Christmas time to help make another child’s Christmas wish come true. I was not allowed to go with them. She told me that was her time with them and she wanted to pass along to the next generation about caring and volunteering. My granddaughter turned four last year and it was our first year together to adopt an angel from United Way. As we filled the angel’s list, all I could think of was my mama and hoping she was proud of me for taking her tradition and passing it on to the next generation. Breelyn and I had so much fun and now she wants to do so much more with me. She is always asking what are we going to do next, Gi Gi?

What would you tell someone who is thinking about volunteering?

The greatest thing about volunteering is stepping away from yourself and holding out your hand and heart to someone else. It is addictive; once you start, you can’t stop. The love you feel and doing what God would want you to do, you get a feeling like no other. It is so easy to start. All you have to do is just ask.

What are some of your tasks while volunteering?

Well, that could be anything from reading, painting, gathering food, getting books ready, giving financial seminars, putting food boxes together, mentoring a child and gathering school supplies. This year will be my tenth annual school supply drive at Regions. My tasks are pretty much whatever I am asked to do.

What have you learned from volunteering?

What I have learned is the heart that people have, it doesn’t matter how big or small, the most important thing is to help your fellow man, your neighbors and there is never a need for a thank you. The love that you feel in your heart is thank you enough, knowing that you had a small part in God’s plan.

How can someone who might be interested in volunteering get involved?

It is so easy to start volunteering. The first thing you need to do is think about what you are passionate about, whether it be children, the elderly, animals, the homeless, food pantries, shelters, churches and many other community resources. Then you just need to reach out to a local organization and/or nonprofit group and simply ask for help. There can never be too many volunteers. We are always in need of another helping hand.

If there is a volunteer who should be featured, please submit their name and contact information to volunteer@vicksburpost.com.