Hand in Hand

View Original

National Volunteer Week Spotlight: Andy Reiff

Andy Reiff is one of Hand in Hand’s very first volunteers. For 22 years he has helped our participants with disabilities have a fun summer camp experience at our camp every year in July.

“There are so many great things to remember about Hand in Hand over the years. I would say my favorite memories come from being out at camp,” Andy said. ‘I’ve met many wonderful people and made so many connections over the years. Some of them turning into lifelong friends.”

Andy says he has enjoyed watching the program grow over the last 22 years and says the staff and other volunteers and have always been wonderful. He wants people to know how great Hand in Hand’s programs are.

“Volunteering for Hand in Hand for so many years has helped me to learn and grow as an individual. As the owner of Rudy’s Tacos East Moline, I have been able to hire people with special needs to work with us. Hand in Hand has helped me and given me the skills, ability, and confidence to work with people who have special needs. I feel honored to have been a part of this organization for the last 22 years,” he said. “Hand in Hand has changed my life in many ways. It’s helped me to understand different challenges people go through on a day-to-day basis and how they can overcome those obstacles.”

You can catch Andy at the lake again this year at Camp Hand in Hand helping our participants with their fishing skills. We are so thankful for Andy and look forward to having him as a volunteer for 22 more years!