I am very blessed to have an awesome group of Outreach volunteers. These FPC and Edenton St. UMC members devote countless hours of their time and assist with operations and client interviews. I couldn’t do my job effectively without their help and I want you to have the opportunity to get to know them better.
Outreach Volunteer: Barbara Bunn
Friendship Fund/Doorstep Ministry Volunteer and Member of Edenton Street UMC for 38 years
Family: My husband, Nelson, and I have been married for over 38 years. We met here in Raleigh. He is originally from Arlington, VA and I’m from Snow Hill in Eastern NC. We have 3 adult sons…Nelson Jr. is 36 and he and his husband, Trevor, recently relocated from Washington, DC to Raleigh (needless to say, we are thrilled). Stevenson is 33 and he and his new wife, Nicole, live in Houston, TX. Carlton is 26 and he lives in Greensboro. We have no grandchildren yet but have our fingers crossed!
Kathy: Why do you feel the Friendship Fund/Doorstep Ministries are important to the community?
Barbara: The Friendship Fund and Doorstep Ministries are important to our community in so many ways. This ministry provides the glue for families during challenging times…this has been evident even more during COVID. We help families transition out of abusive situations, people who are homeless with motel rooms, we help with rent and utilities during times of unemployment and underemployment and transition between jobs. It is important to me for us to be a hand up, not a hand out. It brings me joy to attempt to show our clients how they might manage their financial situations better by making better choices with the funds they do have or to make suggestions on how/where they might find improvement in their job status. As we work to share the gifts from our church members with those in need in our community, it truly feeds my soul.
Kathy: How has the partnership between the two churches been impactful?
Barbara: The partnership between Edenton Street and First Presbyterian in this mission work has been great to see and to participate in. I have certainly met and worked with some wonderful people but, most importantly, it is inspiring to watch people from different Christian faiths work together to be the hands of God.
Kathy: What was your most memorable trip or vacation?
Barbara: We have worked hard through the years to plan family vacations, as we feel travel is such an important part of one’s education. Most importantly though are the memories we make as a family when we travel together. A few years ago we took a 2 week trip to Greece, Croatia and Montenegro…it was incredible and amazingly beautiful!
Kathy: What is an item on your bucket list?
Barbara: More travel, any travel is on my bucket list.
Kathy: What is something positive that you’ve experienced during the pandemic that you may incorporate into your life going forward?
Barbara: I think that one important thing that I have realized during COVID is an ability to spend time at home and alone and to be content. I am very much a people person and get my energy from being with people…COVID clipped my wings! I am loving getting back out and about but, I did learn that I can enjoy alone time.
Kathy: Would you rather travel back in time to meet your ancestors or to the future to meet your descendants?
Barbara: That’s hard…I would love to have a good visit with my mother and it would be awesome to see the relatives I knew and those before them that I did not know. But one thing I think of often is not being here to see my children’s’ lives play out and not being here to love and enjoy my future grandchildren.
Kathy: If you could bring back any fashion trend what would it be?
Barbara: I like classic, sophisticated looking clothing best…but I would gladly wear most any trend if I could be thin again!! 😜
Kathy: You have your own late night talk show, who do you invite as your first guest?
Barbara: President Biden
Kathy: You have to sing karaoke; what song do you pick?
Barbara: So many choices…I love beach music, R&B/soul and country!
Kathy: What sport would you most want to compete in if you were in the Summer Olympics?
Barbara: Gymnastics!