Avery Payne walks confidently through Warehouse II, grabs the keys to The Arc of Hanover Thrift Store truck and opens its rear door with ease. But the lack of hand trucks in the back is throwing him, slightly, in the moment.

"We usually have two hand trucks and two furniture dollies stored on the truck," he says. But he quickly adds that though it is unusual, it all depends on what's happening on a given day.

A self-advocate volunteer, Avery started serving with the Truck Team last year. Even though he knew The Arc of Hanover through his mom -- Board member and Store Committee co-chair, Julie Flagler -- that was all he knew.

"I didn't know what to expect," he says of the Truck Team role, "or what was expected of me."

That all changed when he started going out on pickups one to two times a week with Mike Elliott, who showed him the ropes of  the truck. Volunteer John Myers spent time addressing safety concerns. Avery notes that there is safety equipment available for volunteers, like lifting belts and safety vests, to go along with the personal training from Truck Team members.

The Truck Team picks up large furniture items and other donations from the greater Hanover area to bring back to the Thrift Store for sale. (Contact Manager Kim Thompson at the Store to schedule a pickup.) This part of the work held appeal for Avery, along with a few other reasons.

"I liked seeing things that were coming into the Store, meeting new and different people," he says. "Being able to give back to others, and the possibility for building up some job skills."

Avery admits that he has felt more comfortable the more frequently he has made trips in the truck, often now traveling with John. Both men currently serve on our Board of Directors.

"We talk," says Avery when addressing what happens on a typical Truck Team run.

"I do enjoy the people, having a sense of community," says Avery, who, since volunteering, has also joined The Arc of Hanover's Aktion Club, to continue developing opportunities for leadership through service.

When asked to describe his most memorable Truck Team experience so far, Avery smiles remembering visits to the same house on two separate occasions -- once with Mike and once with John -- to Charles City! He enjoyed meeting the same person and getting things out of her house.

"I think it was an entertainment center, then a glass table and hutch," says Avery of what has also been his longest trip. "It's a good little break."

UPDATE: Congratulations to Avery on stepping into a new employment opportunity!