For many volunteers at Phil’s Friends, serving is more than an act of kindness—it’s a calling. For Ron and Sherry Nush, volunteering together has become a meaningful way to live out their faith while bringing hope to those facing cancer.
“It makes us feel useful and grateful that God has shown us where we can help others,” Sherry Nush, 70, said. She and Ron, 72, have been volunteering at the Crown Point (Indiana) Hope Center for a year.
The couple first learned about Phil’s Friends after Sherry received a Care Package several months after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in March 2024. “What a blessing it was to receive that box on my worst day of chemo,” she said of her Care Package. “I was overwhelmed with gratitude, and I was amazed that so many people who don’t even know me cared so much. It was a comfort to know that I wasn’t alone in my journey.”
Thankfully, after surgery, chemo, and taking Anastrozo (used to slow the growth of estrogen-dependent tumors), she was declared cancer free a year later.
From that act of kindness, Sherry wanted to pass it along. “I felt God answered my prayer to show me where I could us what talent I have to help others,” she said. “He answers in mysterious ways, but he got my attention.”
The Nushs decided to pass on the encouragement they’d received by volunteering, driving nearly 30 minutes every Tuesday morning from Demotte, IN to Crown Point.
“We love that it is a Christian organization and how much it touches others’ hearts,” Sherry said, adding that when they arrived that first Tuesday in 2024, “we felt very welcomed and liked what we saw.”
From decorating and packing Care Package to tying blankets, the Nushs faithfully serve side by side—even taking boxes and bookmarks home to work on—knowing that even the smallest acts of encouragement can make a powerful difference.
One special moment that stood out to Sherry was learning about the joy a Care Package brought a five-year-old boy and the spiritual impact it had on his struggling parents. When their son was first diagnosed with cancer, the parents “turned from God and the dad went to alcohol,” Sherry said. The boy’s uncle had sent the Care Package and prayed that it not only make a difference for the child, who’d also suffered a stroke due to radiation, but also for the parents.
It did. The uncle related to Sherry that the boy “truly enjoyed” his Care Package and that the parents had begun seeking God again.
Sherry and Ron continue to pray for the parents. “We pray that God can help them endure,” Sherry said. “It’s truly a blessing to know that the small gestures we make can really impact others and give a little comfort where there isn’t much! It makes you know that God placed you where you need to be.”
Phil’s Friends is grateful for dedicated couples like the Nushes, who choose to serve together, modeling a beautiful picture of unity, generosity, and faith in action. Their commitment reminds us that when we come together—whether as individuals, families, or couples—God multiplies our efforts to bring the light and love of Jesus Christ to those who need it most.
It’s not unusual to see families volunteering side by side at a Phil’s Friends Hope Center, decorating and assembling Care Packages, tying fleece blankets, coloring and writing Cards of Hope. But for one family, volunteering with Phil’s Friends has become a three-generation act of serving,…
Every day, thousands of trucks roll out from UPS facilities across the country carrying packages to homes and businesses. For one driver, however, some of those boxes carry something far more significant than ordinary deliveries—they carry hope. For the past three years, King Gregory has…
Care Packages do more than deliver comfort—they create connections. And sometimes those connections come full circle, uniting friends in service in ways only God could orchestrate. That was the case for former co-workers and long-time friends Mary Kanak, 66, and Terry Waszak, 69. Mary first…
NUVEW | Accessibility Notifications | Privacy Policy | 990 Form | 2026 All Rights Reserved
Phil’s Friends is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. Per IRS Regulations, your gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Our tax ID is 20-3087488.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. It does not constitute professional advice. Testimonials are not a guarantee, warranty or prediction of what your experience with us will be. By providing contact information, users acknowledge and give explicit consent to be contacted via the methods of communication provided, including SMS. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Reply STOP to opt out.
