Honoring a young volunteer who is no longer with us

Oliver Tibbitts was not born at Crossroads Urban Center but his mother did work there while she was pregnant with him and he did come to work with her frequently during the first few years of his life.  As an infant he could be seen strapped to her back while she made orders on the telephone for the food co-op.  As a toddler he rode his tricycle in the co-op warehouse.

It did not surprise anyone that when he was a few years older Oliver wanted to volunteer in the Crossroads Urban Center Food Pantry.  When he started volunteering he would relay information about specific orders from an intake desk to the area where food orders were prepared.  As he grew older, and able to reach more of the food on the shelves, he helped to fill food orders and deliver them to families and individuals in the lobby.

When he would leave the food pantry Oliver would share enthusiastic stories about the people he had volunteered with and the people he had helped to serve.  These stories always highlighted his tendency to only see the good in others and to view everyone he met as a friend.

Oliver was also an memorable participant in activities of the Anti-Hunger Action Committee and Coalition of Religious Communities.  He attended meetings, helped sing songs to the Governor that were posted on Youtube, went to the Capitol to talk to legislators and generally did his best to introduce himself to everyone he could.

Tragically, Oliver was diagnosed with leukemia in 2016 and passed away in December of last year.  The Crossroads Urban Center Board of Directors wanted to honor Oliver in some way and, after much discussion, realized they wanted to create a special award named in his honor, that can be given to other young people who volunteer in our efforts to help low income people.  Oliver's parents believe he would be delighted to have his name and story used to encourage other children to think about the needs of other people.

He will be honored as the first recipient of this new award at our Annual Open House  and Volunteer Recognition event on  the evening of Thursday, October 25.  The Open House begins at 5:00 PM.  The Volunteer Recognition program begins at 6:00 PM.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Oliver celebrating his first birthday upstairs at Crossroads Urban Center. His face is covered with "Midnight Cake" made by long time Crossroads Board Member, Rudy Roca.