Tierney says ’tis the time to help out less fortunate

LYNN – While the 40 days between Thanksgiving and New Year’s may seem like the best time to volunteer for a charity, Sue Ellen Woodcock, volunteer coordinator at My Brother’s Table, said it’s the other months of the year that need it most.Congressman John Tierney, a frequent volunteer at My Brother’s Table, said he made a point to stop by before the holiday rush of volunteers when he arrived Tuesday around noon to help serve lunch. “I find that if you show up on Thanksgiving Day, there’s too many people,” he said while serving up rolls to a long line of guests. “If you go earlier in the week, sometimes you can be put to better use.”View photos of Thanksgiving events around townWoodcock said she is flooded with calls during this time of the year for hopeful do-gooders to serve meals or help in the kitchen. “‘Tis the season to be guilty,” Woodcock joked. She said the time she really needs volunteers is in July.Tierney said, “I want to encourage people to participate all year long, not just on the holidays.”Mike Puetz, who has volunteered for a suicide prevention agency and nursing home in addition to handing out tuna fish sandwiches at My Brother’s Table, said “It’s the time in-between the special days where (organizations) really need help, but a lot of people really don’t have time.”Puetz said he understands why people are more inclined to give their time around the holidays. “It makes me feel really good when I leave here. It makes me so grateful for what I have.”Tierney, gesturing to the long line in front of him of guests waiting for food, said “It’s amazing – the economy is tough.”Dianne Kuzia Hills, executive director of My Brother’s Table, said she likes having Tierney involved. “He just acts like a regular person,” she said. “He gets it, what’s going on here – the struggles that people have because of the economy. I think it makes a difference when you have someone in Congress who understands and actually cares about people.”Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].