Kurt Harvell volunteered with Open Hand for over 12 years, packing meals and always bringing many friends with him. With his larger-than-life personality, I am sure he single-handedly recruited at least 50 regular Open Hand volunteers over the years. He worked hard and laughed harder, bringing joy to our campus with every shift.
Last month, our friend Kurt passed.
I met Kurt forty years ago after I had just graduated from college. I was always impressed by his kindness and desire to help the less fortunate. Though he himself was a man of humble means, he made volunteering a dedicated commitment in his life. He will be dearly missed, but I know his legacy lives on. As I reflect on his life, I can't ignore how blessed Open Hand has been over the years to have so many volunteers upholding our mission and creating a lifeline for our clients.
Our volunteers built Open Hand through the many hours of time and immeasurable resources they provide. Their kindness and hard work are the spark that ignited our founding and kept the fire kindling for the past 38 years. Although I am immensely saddened to say goodbye to Kurt, I am deeply grateful for the countless volunteers who continue to show up to move our mission forward with his same compassion and dedication.
Rest in peace Kurt Harvell. Godspeed to you.
