SERVICE IS SECOND NATURE FOR THIS NEW HAMPSHIRE VOLUNTEER

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Mark Lester. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Volunteering is a way of life for Mark Lester. A New Hampshire resident, Mark gives his time to work with a diverse range of organizations, whether it’s providing volunteer counseling at his church, Grace Bible Fellowship, or refereeing wheelchair basketball games for Granite State Independent Living, which helps people with disabilities live independently. But it’s Mark’s ability to encourage others to get out there and volunteer that’s truly inspiring.

As an employee of Eastern Bank, Mark works as a portfolio development officer. Eastern Bank avidly encourages its team members to pursue volunteer work, and Mark takes them up on that. The company offers a VTO, or Volunteer Time Off policy, a type of paid leave where employees can take time off to volunteer with approved organizations while still receiving their regular pay.

Mark frequently recruits his colleagues for volunteer roles. In the last two years, he has organized three blood drives sponsored by Eastern Bank. For the past eight years, he has spearheaded a wheelchair basketball team for Eastern Bank for the Hoops on Wheels Tournament, with the money going to GSIL. He’s going on nearly a decade of leading a team for the annual “Walk A Mile” event for the Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire, now known as Thrive Survivor Support Center, which serves survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking. In whatever volunteer project he pursues, Mark encourages those around him to get involved.

Mark’s dedication to volunteer work hasn’t gone unrecognized by those around him. He has been in the top 20 volunteers of the bank for seven years, contributing over 800 hours last year alone. But Mark is quick to say that he doesn’t need special recognition for helping others. Instead, he points out how much he loves what he does. Mark’s view of helping others as second nature is an inspiring example of how volunteerism can revolutionize a community.

Tell us about your volunteer role.

I work with a variety of organizations. I work with the Child Evangelism Fellowship of New Hampshire. I’m the board chair of that organization. I’ve been with them, off and on, for 30 years, but I’ve been the board chair for the past five. I’m also on the board for the Kiwanis Club of Concord, New Hampshire. I’m on the board of the Red Cross of Northern New England. I also volunteer with Granite State Independent Living, which helps individuals with disabilities be able to stay in their homes. Every year for the past eight years, I’ve spearheaded a wheelchair basketball team for them.

What inspired you to get started with these initiatives?

I’m a pastor, and it’s part of who I am. My faith has compelled me to get out there to help others. Eastern Bank has encouraged us to get involved and volunteer, and they want us to help our community. These community nonprofits keep coming to us at the bank to get donations. We have this amazing foundation at Eastern Bank that wants to do that. I may not be able to give exactly what they want, but I’m always able to give. When I find out about these nonprofits, there is so much they need help with, not just finances. They just need help with a variety of things, whether it’s helping people get rides, or just getting the recognition of what they do, like getting on the radio.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

To see the impact when someone cares. You don’t have to be wealthy. You don’t have to be a savant, you just have to be willing. When you do those kinds of things, people are so grateful for the help that you provide. When I volunteer, I’m not looking for anything. But the reality is to see some of these individuals rising above whatever has come across their path, whatever situation they find themselves in, is incredible.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Just because somebody looks like they’ve had a difficult experience, doesn’t mean you should judge the book by its cover. Sometimes we’ll see people, and you begin to make judgment calls. Sometimes you get up in the world, and you think life is so bad, until you meet someone else who’s been struggling a little bit more. It’s taught me to be more appreciative and more content with where I’m at, but also because I’ve been giving so much.

Does your employer have a Volunteer Time Off policy that you make use of to do any of your volunteer work? Tell me about your experience using VTO.

They do. It’s usually eight hours. Because I’m a manager, I don’t have to track my hours. A lot of my volunteer time will be after hours, but a lot of volunteer time happens during the work day. For instance, there’s this place called Camp Mayhew, and their sole focus is at-risk boys on an island in Bristol. We’re going to do a work day getting the camp prepared for the end of the season, and we’re going to do that during the work day.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

It’ll make you a more well-rounded individual. It’s amazing if a few people would just gather together to help one another out. A lot of times, I think I’m helping out somebody, and in the long run, I feel they’ve helped me out more than I have helped them, because it gives me a new perspective. I don’t take myself as seriously. Again, I love that aspect of empathy and compassion.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Find something you’re passionate about. Just pick up the phone or send an email. They’ll be so thankful for the hour you can give. Most of the time, they’re not looking for money. They’re looking for somebody willing to give up their time. Just pick up the phone and put yourself out there, and you’d be shocked how little a real investment could pay off. The return on your investment of time is far greater than what you invest.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Don’t sell yourself short. You have so much to give. We all have so much to give. Don’t to afraid to put yourself out there. Be bold, and just take that step. It’ll change your life.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Mark? Find local volunteer opportunities.