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National Volunteer Week Associate Features
- 1. Dan Zabloudil Director, Enterprise Tools & Reporting | Easton Big Brother Big Sister of Central Ohio The volunteer opportunity that I have expanded most recently is my involvement in Big Brothers, Big Sisters. I have been involved in the school-based mentoring program for three years now. I started mentoring at Cherrington Elementary in Westerville through an opportunity that came up while I was located in our Westerville office. I started mentoring a boy named Liam when he was in the first grade and have been with him now almost done with the third grade school year. We focus on reading, teaching and being a positive adult figure in their lives. As time has gone on, I have found the 30 minutes weekly to be simply not as much time as I would like to spend with Liam. So, in January, I started the community-based mentoring program with Liam, so we could do activities outside of school and spend more time together. With Liam and so many others, there are loving adults in their lives, sometimes there is simply not the ability to spend as much time as they would like with their children due to the demands of work and supporting their families. With Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the other volunteer opportunities that I am part of, it is the looks in the eyes of those you are assisting, the positive impact you can have on somebody’s life that drives me to want to volunteer as much as I can.
- 2. Tammy Greene Senior, Project Coordinator| San Antonio San Antonio Food Bank, New Braunfels Food Bank, Haven for Hope and Livingway Church I truly believe that I was called on purpose for purpose to give back in the Community in which I live and work. It brings joy to my heart to serve others and for that one reason I continue to give back in the Community in which I live and work year after year!
- 3. Tia Code Senior, Data Governance Analyst| Easton Girls Assembly, Eastern Star, and Motorcycle Club I volunteer because you never know when you might be the one needing assistance. Should any one need assistance you want someone to be there for you, so why not be there for someone else!
- 4. Shanta Devilliers Incoming Collections Associate| Coeur d’Alene It's important to me to give back to an organization that gave to me as a child in foster care - this is my way of giving back. I took the course 8 weeks long and then got appointed by Kootenai County Court with a Judge providing our oath to our community to these kids in need. This has been a great way for me to give back and give children in foster care a voice in the court room.
- 5. Russell Merriman Customer Retention Associate| Coeur d’Alene VP of Spectacular Spud Museum, Post Falls Food Bank, United Way and Day of Caring I enjoy helping an organization that helps children be able to enjoy Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. It began all the way back in elementary school. The school had several programs that helped people in need within the community. As I grew older more opportunities to help support my community came up thru various churches, united way, and work. I became the VP of the Spectacular Spud Museum about 5 years ago. We started with a large collection of Mr. Potato heads, movie props, science experiments that my friends Erin and Todd had in a storage shed. They started working towards their 501 c3 and they brought me on to raise the funds to qualify which we have continued to do for the last 5 years. Our goal now is to get a location so that we can begin operating as a children's museum dedicated to Erin's late brother. I continue to volunteer because when you give the gift of time or effort to someone who truly needs it.
- 6. Eric H. Duce Payment Solutions Advocate| Coeur d’Alene Boy Scouts of America I currently work with the eleven year old scouts in my troop teaching them outdoor skills, first aid, leadership skills, and citizenship responsibilities. I feel these skills are necessary for every young person to develop in order to be valued additions to our local communities and country. Volunteering is a rewarding and challenging way to find purpose in our day to day lives. Volunteering helps us focus on helping others and not on ourselves and in turn helps us to become better individuals than we were before.
- 7. Lauren Crawford Manager, Client Partnerships Account | Easton Mid-Ohio food bank, The Star House, Ronald McDonald House, a few different dog rescues Giving back to the community is what keeps us all grounded in the most important things in life, such as helping one another in times of need. I appreciate that Alliance Data affords us the opportunities to do so during work hours and with our team members who we spend our work days with! There is so much to get involved with, and the more passionate you are about a cause, the more time and energy you will want to put forth. Most recently our larger director team, Team Palmer, volunteered with sorting donations at the Star House, which is a drop-in center for homeless youth in central Ohio. Our whole team was very touched by the experience and wanted to continue giving back. So, we are organizing a follow up donation that we will bring to the Star House.
- 8. Susan Henry Quality Assurance Analyst II| Easton Lutheran Social Services and Habitat for Humanity Giving financially is always an option; however, when you are physically involved with a volunteer effort, you gain a greater sense of fulfillment. You are able to see the immediate impact of what you are doing. Throughout the year, I like to volunteer with LSS and Habitat for Humanity. It's then that I get to interact with the people who dedicate their lives to these efforts as well as meet the people we are helping. Education, healthcare, and hunger are my passions. It gives me the greatest pleasure to know that I am able to help in those areas through ADS. While I was in high school, I was involved in a lot of groups that volunteered. As I moved onto college, I continued to be involved with those types of organizations as well as finding places to volunteer on my own. I took a hiatus from volunteering while my children were young, but as soon as they were school age, I became involved in their schools as well as volunteering through church. I was lucky to become an employee at ADS where we are able to volunteer. I volunteer with a group of friends for Habitat. We enjoy using skills that are outside of our normal work day, plus we learn new things while helping a deserving family. It's also a great way to meet new people from other organizations as well as from ADS. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities and try a few until you find one that fits you.
- 9. Logan Conro Supervisor, Collections| Coeur d’Alene Second Harvest, Little League , and Sandpoint High School Volunteering is important to me because it is a real world impact. I know that by giving of myself and my time, I am making positive impacts in the lives of others. I love volunteering with kids. To see the impact that sports can make in a young persons life is always exciting. Being able to teach them a skill, and how to interact in a team environment will only help them to be more successful in the future. I would tell them that even though your time is benefiting others, you will truly benefit in the end. Volunteering has made me feel more tied to my community, and more invested in the people around me.
- 10. Peter Rhoads Supervisor, Payment Solutions | Coeur d’Alene American Legion, Fraternal order of Eagles, Sophie's Sluggers Fight Against Childhood Cancer, Relay for Life, Autism Walk, United Way, Family Promise I have been on the needing end of volunteers or helping programs, and it is my responsibility to continue to pay that experience forward continually. Upon being a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, I was presented with the opportunity to help. Once I started, and saw the results of my efforts, it is addicting!! I have never had a negative experience at any function or event I volunteered to be part of. The group(s) I volunteer with and for are very appreciative, and if you ever get to see the results or reactions from the people your helps impacts it is LIFE changing. Try it!!! If you can, look for something you enjoy doing, are passionate about, or do very well. This way, while volunteering that first time, you at least enjoy what you are doing. Once you have done it and have seen the impact you can make, I have full faith that you will seek out those opportunities again.
- 11. Amber Dominguez Senior Supervisor, Account Protection| Coeur d’Alene United Way, Habitat for Humanity, SIDS foundation I enjoy helping others who have fallen on hard times, or encounter a life experience that is unimaginable. I have had support when I needed it and I want to be able to give that back and let others know they are not alone. I recommend helping where you can and in lieu of just talking to them, I will ask them to join me. I have found that a lack of knowledge will result in a lack of volunteering. Usually just getting started with a project is the beginning of a life long experience.
- 12. Susan Bridgewater Detection Fraud Associate| Coeur d’Alene Safe Passage, Family Promise and Church I love Family Promise because I can see how they are helping these families make a new start. The children are amazing and it is so gratifying to get to know them; to see that they just need a little emotional support, and they make me laugh! Feel how rewarding it is to share some of your time with someone who hasn't gotten the opportunity to solve their dilemma through their own means. It can be something as simple as holding a hand , filling out paperwork or filling shelves with products, reading, and my favorite, letting them know that they matter (in whatever way that they need it).
- 13. Michael Hawley Manager, Collections Department | Coeur d’Alene Bloomsday Association, YMCA of the Inland Northwest, Boy Scouts of America I volunteer to give others the opportunity to try new things. The ability to help kids develop skills and participate in new experiences, these experiences have life long impacts. When encouraging other to volunteer I would ask them who coached that basketball when they were young? I would ask who mentors youth at the YMCA on leadership? I would ask who volunteered at that race you ran last month? If people don't step up it will impact our community and our families.
- 14. Anna Hairston ICE Participant| Easton The Ronald McDonald House and Junior Achievement Giving back to the community was instilled in me at a very young age. Growing up, I had individuals in my life who donated their time to mentor me, which has helped shaped me. It's my way of paying it forward. At Junior Achievement, I teach middle school students about career readiness, entrepreneurship, business, and financial literacy. The classes that I have taught were in the Columbus City Public Schools District. I volunteer with this organization because when I was in the 9th grade, I had a Junior Achievement volunteer come to teach me about budgeting and life preparation. Upon graduating high school, the Junior Achievement organization awarded me a $1000 scholarship for college. I want to pay it forward.
- 15. Deborah Starr Senior Analyst, Information Security | Easton Mifflin Middle School, Meals-on-Wheels, We are Cherished, Olentangy Music Boosters I have been volunteering more now since my kids are grown, but have done some even when they were small. My efforts have increased in the past 6 years. I was ask by a friend from church to go along with them to the food pantry, and I was hooked on volunteering. I was so surprised how thankful the people were that we were there for them. In all the volunteer experiences I have had, I have always walked away feeling refreshed and like the little bit I had done means a lot to someone. The feeling of making a difference keeps me coming back for more.
- 16. Mark Ridgewell Team Coach - Collections Lead| Coeur d’Alene Community Dinner I volunteer to provide a hot meal for anyone in our community, some living out of their car or tent, without a home and families struggling to make their budget stretch. Folks in our community that life has hit hard. Without the dedicated volunteers we would not be able to continue this community outreach. Besides a hot meal we offer some essential clothing items, encouragement and hope.
- 17. Marilyn Montoya Customer Retention Advocate| WFH Albuquerque Christian Children's Home I enjoy giving back to my community and the values they represent. It's fun and you will be helping out children by getting involved. What ever you can do will be appreciated.
- 18. Patty Triage Associate | Lenexa North College Music Department I learned the value of giving my time when I was very young. My first serious time was volunteering with American Cancer Society after my father passed away. I enjoy volunteering with programs involving music. Music is for everyone - It is one of the most artistic forms of expression and requires the left & right side of the brain work together. Even if you have nothing else to give, give of yourself!
- 19. Deborah Allman Trainer| Rio Rancho Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America I want to mentor young people to give back to the community so we have a society of people that care and improve lives for others. All my children have been involved in scouting and I know if has made them better individuals within society. My three sons are now giving back to the community by mentoring and my two daughters work for charities. By volunteering you see the world with a different lens and you get back more then you usually put in. I have learned more value about life since I have been volunteering. Sometimes we forget how blessed we are with our life when we step out and see the lives of others. Giving back what you have to offer whether it be time, money, or just guidance is the most important thing you can do for yourself.
- 20. Lori-Ann Black Customer Care Specialist Cobrand| Lenexa Library Central Library Johnson co. I love giving back and have done so my entire life. I work in the library where I am able to help members of my community look for books that inspire or excite them. It is important to me, and I enjoy the most, helping children find books to learn and grow. Find something you love and pay it forward!
- 21. Nicole Barber Supervisor, Payment Solutions | Coeur d’Alene United Way, Operation feed, and the Boys and Girls Club. Volunteering is important to me because I feel like it's important to give back to the community who helps support my family. I have two boys who will be attending kindergarten and in my city it is based off of donations from United Way. It is important to me that children feel like they can do and be anything, no matter their current circumstances. I have two boys who volunteer without me asking to donate their old toys to "kids who cant afford to have many toys." as my five year old says! I feel like I set a great example for my own kids to help out others who are not as fortunate or just need a little extra something to make them smile.
- 22. Nicole Blackwell Trainer| Coeur d’Alene Mina's Girls Mentoring, Hannah's Prom and Dress Closet, OliveMoore, and Livanthropy Volunteering is important to me because I believe that the service to others is the greatest gift that we can give. The act of serving is also the greatest gift that we can receive. I founded a girls mentoring organization called "Mina's Girls Mentoring" in Oakland, CA. But I also volunteer with "Hannah's Prom and Dress Closet" in Spokane, WA., "OliveMoore" in Sacramento, CA. and "Livanthropy" in Oakland, CA. I have always been an advocate for giving back to the community in which I live, and those communities that have served me well throughout my life. I started by one day asking what I could do to help, and I have been asking ever since! The primary organization that I support (outside of my own, Mina's Girls mentoring program) is Hannah's Prom and Dress Closet in Spokane, WA. This organization provides underprivileged high school girls (who otherwise could not afford them) with dresses, shoes and accessories for prom and homecoming for free. The girls are usually referred and come in by appointment to try on and select a dress for their event. Dresses and accessories are provided by generous community donations; they are new or gently used items. I became acquainted with the owner of the organization when I put together a prom dress donation drive for my organization.
- 23. Stephanie Interliggi Lead, Marketing Communications Specialist | Easton Family Mentor Foundation, Clintonville Beechwold Resource Center I serve on the board for Family Mentor Foundation; it's a small non-profit that provides meals for kids who don't have enough food over the weekend. I appreciate the chance to make a difference and love that the benefits are so immediate and impactful to those the organization serves. There are a lot of hurdles to getting involved when you're busy, but you won't regret the time you spend volunteering and it will mean so much to those you're helping.
- 24. Robert Shepler Account Protection Triage Associate| Coeur d’Alene The Boy Scouts of America Volunteering for children helps me show youth that giving back to people outside of your immediate circle of friends and family is important to society. The actions of a few individuals adds up to have a large impact on where we live and how we help others. I help teach youth more about our outdoors and conservation, their impact on the world and some of the places they can go if they choose to. I help them become better, more informed youth that give back to others selflessly, as well as helping them become more aware of who they are and what they want to be as they grow. I have been very fortunate to be able to volunteer with Scouting since 2001 and enjoy sharing new experiences not only with boys and girls, but also with their parents as well.
- 25. Keith J Wilson Supervisor, Collections| San Antonio Boys and Girls Club, Meals on wheels, Fischer House at Lackland Air Force base and Haven for Hope homeless shelter Volunteering is important to me because, my parents introduced me to giving back at a very young age. I was taught that helping others is part of why we are here. I started going to soup kitchens at the age of 8. My parents would have my siblings and I sit an talk with people who were homeless. I discovered at a very young age that there was no difference between me and them. It mainly by the grace of God and the decisions we make a long the way. Just try it nothing I have ever experience in life has been as rewarding as helping others, especially children and the elderly.
- 26. Andrea J. Bell Supervisor, Collections| Coeur d’Alene Gathering Thyme Ministries and Red Tent Sisterhood of Coeur d'Alene I contribute and volunteer at Gathering Thyme Ministries, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The organization is about local gathering for global and humanity as a whole. Give it a try, it feels great and you meet neat and wonderful people of our community.
- 27. Sharon Clark Trainer| Coeur d’Alene O.C.C at our church Operation Christmas Child, past Relay for Life, Juvenile Diabetes I have cancer and it is important to help others to understand and how important it is to get the support for others. To see children get packages at Christmas of useful items. My mom is diabetic and a close friends daughter is a juvenile diabetic. Just do it! It is fun and you get so much out of it and you are helping others.
- 28. Renee Hernandez Incoming Collections| San Antonio Ceaser Chavez Foundation and Heaven for Hope Some of the volunteer work I do includes the following: during the fall I collect school supplies for the west side of San Antonio and hand out free back packs which are filled with supplies. During thanksgiving time I help a food bank drive and during Christmas I support a drive for Ceaser Chavez Foundation. During Hurricane Harvey my family and I took it upon ourselves to collect 3 trucks full of clothes, non parish food and waters and personal items to drive to Victoria Texas to hand out. All the organizations I support are all very important to me because the look on peoples face when they see people actually care and want to help is amazing.
- 29. Michelle Berghoff Payment solutions associate | Coeur d’Alene Northwest Expedition Academy The community is what its about. I like to give back when I can because I know that when I need, help my community will be there for me too! I started volunteering with Girl scouts when I was little, and then through the local churches. When I fell into hard times I wasn't able to donate money but I could donate my time and it felt great to give back after all they had done for me. I volunteer there because it grants me more time with my child and I get a better hands on experience with his education! NExA (Norhtwest Expedition Academy) is the only school in this area of its kind. They have multiple expeditions every month and the kids are going out into the community to learn how the local businesses help their community. Its a rewarding experience, volunteering your time shows someone you care and you never know what new opportunities will arise when you have the time to invest in others. Who knows one day it may be you that needs the help and you'll be glad they are there to help you.