Uploaded April 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
A Story of Florian and Johannes. “It all started in Gutersloh, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, when I was 6 years old,” stated Florian. It’s a story of Florian and his best friend Johannes. The two young men are currently, serving in Brethren Volunteer Service at SnowCap Community Charities in Gresham, Oregon, helping those who are in need, of emergency food assistance.
Florian, age 18, has a younger brother, Felix and their parents are Guido and Miriam Wesseler. His father works for a large company as a manager and his mother works for German Customs.
Johannes, 19, lived with his parents Andre’ and Silke Stitz. His father is a social worker for children and teenagers and mother works as a geriatric nurse and counselor for seniors. Johannes also has a younger brother, Luca, who hopes to do volunteer service after high school, with an interest in serving disabled persons.
In 2002, Florian was born in Bielefeld, which is known for its university and famous for its traditional festivals. The family moved to Gutersloh in 2003 and at the age of 6 and 7, Florian and Johannes met on the soccer field and became teammates. Both having the love of soccer, led them to becoming, “really good friends.” “We did confirmation together at our home church. After that we volunteered together as staff members for a Confirmation Camp in Berlin, for the youth of the community. We served as counselors for the young confirmands, providing lessons and recreation. It was also the time when we really became close friends. - Florian
“It’s quite common in Germany to do a ‘gap year,’ following high school graduation and the beginning of college. This was first discussed in the 10th grade of my English class. It allows students to gain experiences before entering college, Florian said. “Both of us didn’t want to start college right after high school, as we were uncertain about what to do after graduation,” Johannes said.
“Florian credits Johannes with the idea of doing a term of service, together. What an amazing idea!” We applied to German organizations that work with volunteers and were referred to Brethren Volunteer Service. This eventually led us to SnowCap, which received high recommendations from previous volunteers.
Recently heard, “This isn’t work.” It’s what happens when two “Best Friends” work together for others.
TAGS: German Volunteers to the USA, Volunteer Service Abroad, Food Pantries, Volunteering During the 'Gap Year,' Brethren Volunteer Service, SnowCap Community Charities.
A Story of Florian and Johannes. “It all started in Gutersloh, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, when I was 6 years old,” stated Florian. It’s a story of Florian and his best friend Johannes. The two young men are currently, serving in Brethren Volunteer Service at SnowCap Community Charities in Gresham, Oregon, helping those who are in need, of emergency food assistance.
Florian, age 18, has a younger brother, Felix and their parents are Guido and Miriam Wesseler. His father works for a large company as a manager and his mother works for German Customs.
Johannes, 19, lived with his parents Andre’ and Silke Stitz. His father is a social worker for children and teenagers and mother works as a geriatric nurse and counselor for seniors. Johannes also has a younger brother, Luca, who hopes to do volunteer service after high school, with an interest in serving disabled persons.
In 2002, Florian was born in Bielefeld, which is known for its university and famous for its traditional festivals. The family moved to Gutersloh in 2003 and at the age of 6 and 7, Florian and Johannes met on the soccer field and became teammates. Both having the love of soccer, led them to becoming, “really good friends.” “We did confirmation together at our home church. After that we volunteered together as staff members for a Confirmation Camp in Berlin, for the youth of the community. We served as counselors for the young confirmands, providing lessons and recreation. It was also the time when we really became close friends. - Florian
“It’s quite common in Germany to do a ‘gap year,’ following high school graduation and the beginning of college. This was first discussed in the 10th grade of my English class. It allows students to gain experiences before entering college, Florian said. “Both of us didn’t want to start college right after high school, as we were uncertain about what to do after graduation,” Johannes said.
“Florian credits Johannes with the idea of doing a term of service, together. What an amazing idea!” We applied to German organizations that work with volunteers and were referred to Brethren Volunteer Service. This eventually led us to SnowCap, which received high recommendations from previous volunteers.
Recently heard, “This isn’t work.” It’s what happens when two “Best Friends” work together for others.
TAGS: German Volunteers to the USA, Volunteer Service Abroad, Food Pantries, Volunteering During the 'Gap Year,' Brethren Volunteer Service, SnowCap Community Charities.
