Born and raised in France, Christel Monmoine traveled to the U.S. in 1988 with the expectation of eventually returning home. Instead, she found that she felt right at home here in the States. She decided to make it a permanent move, and after 15 long years of processes and paperwork, Christel became a certified U.S. citizen.
Christel spent many years working as a speech therapist for hearing-impaired children, developing a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication it takes to make a difference in the lives of others. Though her work was fulfilling in its own way, she often wished she had more time to give back to her community. This desire was inspired in part by her grandmother and role model, whom Christel describes as an amazing, generous and empathetic person. So, when her job opportunity ended earlier this year, she wasted no time looking for ways to get involved.
Her search led her to Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, where she began volunteering with Grocery Bags for Seniors. As she worked alongside like-minded people to fill bags with nutritious food, she knew she had found the right place to dive in. And dive in she did! Christel began filling her weeks with volunteer shifts, eager to learn as much as she could about the organization as a whole.
While she enjoyed all the opportunities she signed up for, Christel truly found her community at the Food Shuttle Farm. She has shared that the depth of the conversations she has had with fellow volunteers is one of her favorite parts of volunteering. These connections fill her mind with ideas and her soul with a sense of connection and purpose.
If Christel could share one message with fellow volunteers, or the world as a whole, it would be that life is better lived when we lend a helping hand to those around us. This empathetic spirit has carried Christel far in life, allowing her to make a difference through her authentic character, infectious smile and warm spirit.
I believe Christel’s grandmother would be incredibly proud to see the impact she is making today, just as we are proud to know her and have her as part of our volunteer team. Please join us in thanking Christel for her dedication and support, and stop by the Food Shuttle Farm to meet her and share a connection!