Carol D’Onofrio, Web Developer
“If you know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, you have something to contribute to your local church.”
What responsibility do you have at the church or what is it that you volunteer to help with?
Developing and maintaining the church’s digital presence. I volunteered to build a new website to attract more people to take a look at Murdock Baptist Church. I help maintain the systems end. I’ve also built a site that is accessible to those who may have a disability. I also provide analytic reports so that the staff can review # of hit views on a page, # of visitors to the site and where they come from, and what content works and doesn’t so we can adjust the site to meet the needs. I have also volunteered and trained the staff so they can help maintain the site and post their own content as well.
How long have you been a member of the church?
Newbie! Only been here 2 years now. But I can’t imagine myself any where else. I love the community.
List three adjectives to describe yourself.
Extravert who loves to talk and super friendly to anyone. I’m creative – I love to create whether websites, crafts, gardening or even designing my home or others. Extremely generous with gifts, love, money or my time because I love to make people happy and feel loved.
What has been your favorite part of being a volunteer?
Working with the community and supporting them, as well as attracting people who seek out a church that they feel they can belong to. Hopefully more people come and get saved and have a personal relationship with God. That’s my goal. As well as I love training people and showing them new skills.
Why do you think volunteering is a good fit for you?
Every person has a gift. Mine is creating websites, so it’s a natural fit for me to volunteer to create a site that will attract more church members and support the existing ones, as well as, the surrounding community.
If you were to encourage others to volunteer, what would be the benefits you would tell others about?
Take a look at your gifts. We are all given at least one thanks to the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t have to be technical, like mine. Your gift may be a beautiful smile that warms others to make them feel safe or feel welcomed. Your gift may be a great listener to help comfort others or be a leader. Your gift may be to bake /cook or to clean. When you give, you feel good about yourself and when you give-God sees your heart and knows what you did for his people.
How has your volunteering for the church affected you?
It warms me to know that I can give back to the church who supports me. I have gotten to know so many. Truly everyone is my brother or sister and feel I am part of God’s family.
What was one of your favorite memories you’ve had when you’ve volunteered?
Hasn’t happened yet. I’m waiting for analytics! I’m waiting to see how many new members or people we can save through the grace of God.
What made you decide to reach out and help?
A conversation at lunch with Pastor Ron and Amy. They asked what I did and I mentioned my specialty is building websites for people who have disabilities. They asked to take a look at their current one (dangerous thing to ask a developer) and then I volunteered to build them a new one.
Tell us something about yourself that nobody may know about you? (something fun or unique)
I love muscle cars and have had a few in my life Chevy Laguna with a 454 big block engine to Camaros to Mustangs. I have three daughters. Two of whom I adopted from Puerto Rico. And I’m a huge NE Patriots fan and I use to be on the sidelines with the players, as I use to setup big cooling fans for them to blow fine water mist to cool them down.
