Congratulations to Community Resource Center’s 2023 Volunteer of the Year, Chris Zahner!
The Encinitas resale store staff unanimously nominated Chris Zahner as CRC Volunteer of the Year for 2023. Chris has volunteered with CRC for two years, coming in four days a week to work in The Encinitas resale store and a fifth day in our Food Pantry. Chris has an infectious energy. She is constantly moving whether arranging new merchandise, assisting customers with the dressing room, helping with donations, answering customer questions or sharing CRC’s mission with them. She is always working, always pleasant and smiling.
Chris is very dependable and consistent. That dependability has been an asset to the Resale Store team through some challenging periods with staffing. She is beloved by staff, volunteers, customers, donors and clients. Chris has a way of making everyone feel special. It is always a pleasure to work with her. Chris epitomizes the ideals of CRC and our Mission.
When we asked Chris why she chooses to volunteer for CRC, she shared the following: ‘I get such a feeling of satisfaction when I have helped someone (and often their kids) get food at the FNC, then help them at the store getting work clothes with a voucher, then seeing them come back, bright eyed and smiling to simply shop for toys or home goods.’
To put it into perspective, Chris has donated over 1200 hours to CRC so far in 2023. It has been demonstrated time and again that the store volunteers are incredible ambassadors for CRC and provide tangible support to those who we serve. The CRC stores provide 14% of our funding as well.
Chris was celebrated at the 2023 North County Philanthropy Council’s Volunteer Awards Celebration. Thank you to Chris and fellow honorees who create positive change in our North County community!
