Former Nun, Retired Physician Brings Free Medical Care to All Through Mobile Clinic

Dr. Pauline Nagle Olsen is a retired obstetrician/gynecologist, and started her life as a religious nun. Now, at 81-year-old, when asked what continues to feed her soul, she says the Malta House of Care Mobile Medical Clinic.

Witnessing the tremendous need for free, ongoing and consistent medical care in her own backyard, the Farmington, Connecticut resident started the mobile clinic in 2004. With several other community leaders, she recognized the mobile clinic as a way to continue providing medical care, but in a different format than her illustrious career had offered. Operating from a custom-built, fully equipped van that travels around low-income neighborhoods, the mobile clinic brings free medical care to the doorsteps of uninsured adults through volunteer medical and additional staff.

Providing over 48,000 patient visits since its inception, Pauline is making a difference in her community by inspiring others to support those in need in the pursuit of wellness, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Pauline to learn more about her work with Malta House of Care Mobile Medical Clinic.

What inspires you to volunteer?

Giving back to the community is part of the fabric of life. I was fortunate to have a medical practice in Hartford, Connecticut, so when I retired, I felt that we should give something back to the community in another way.

Describe your volunteer role with Malta House of Care Mobile Medical Clinic.

I volunteer at the clinic, working as a medical provider. We are a primary care clinic, and we are open 4 days a week. I see the patients who come to the clinic, and provide them with the care they need, such as free exams, labs, x-rays and free medications.

Explain the name behind the mobile clinic.

In 2006, at least 12% of the population in the state of Connecticut was uninsured. As a part of the Order of Malta – the oldest lay Catholic organization in the church – a group of community leaders, including me, decided to do something about the major health issue we faced. We wanted to provide more consistent care to the uninsured, and try to curb the eventual ER visits that result when people aren’t receiving ongoing care. Apart from the Order of Malta are the four Orders of St. John, recognized as orders of knighthood. Our mission parallels their mission to provide assistance to the sick and the poor.

What’s your personal motto?

Just take one day at a time. I am grateful that my parents taught me and my siblings the importance of giving.

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

At the end of the day, you always feel that you have been doing something special. Many uninsured adults have multiple chronic illnesses. They work 2 or 3 part-time jobs, and they are scared. What is so wonderful about the clinic is that they feel they can trust us, and we go to them, making it easier for them to see us. At the end of the day these patients are so grateful for what we do. This is why I became a doctor, to take care of people.

How can people help Malta House of Care?

We have a newsletter that is published by our foundation, please check our website for more information: https://maltahouseofcare.org/.

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

That I was interested in taking care of those in need, and helping people to make a better life for themselves.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

As a physician, working in a practice, I was more regimented. This experience with the mobile clinic has been freeing. You have that freedom to deal with the whole person, to express yourself as a caregiver. By giving back to the community, we are able to welcome each one of these patients because they have a special need. They now look at us as their primary care physicians. They come back to us to have their blood pressure taken, to receive medication. Because of our availability, they’re given that incentive to take care of their health.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

Quoting Churchill, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” The importance of giving back to the community is very real.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

There are a lot of free medical clinics throughout the country. If you are a medical provider, nurse, doctor, physician assistant, APRN, I’d like to encourage you to go volunteer. Now that I’m retired, I’m at an age where I have freedom and I love to give back to the community. Here in the U.S., people are very generous with their time – and I’d encourage them to give back as they are able to.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Pauline Nagle Olsen? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Marlena Militana.

Retiree Offers Love, Support and Encouragement to Retirement Community Residents

73-year-old Carol Collins says that by working at a nursing home towards the end of her career, she discovered how much she enjoyed engaging with the residents.

Now retired, the Rock Hill, South Carolina resident has committed her time to Westminster Towers, a local retirement community accredited by the national Continuing Care Accreditation Commission. Volunteering over 275 hours at Westminster Towers, Carol spends her time visiting with the residents, reading in small groups and listening to their life stories.

Carol is making a difference in her community by sharing her time with senior citizens, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Carol to learn more about her work with Westminster Towers.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I worked in a nursing home for the last decade of my career and it really changed my idea of what they were like. Some people did not get visitors and when you talked to them, they were really interested in what you were saying or doing. I started volunteering once I retired and I felt as though there was a real need to talk, visit and engage the residents in activities to make them feel like they belong.

You formed something called the “Chicken Soup Gang” at Westminster, explain.

Yes, our Chicken Soup Gang meets several times a week. We read books from the “Chicken Soup” series. Recently, our favorite book to read has been “Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul.” When I mention a plant, the residents will say, “Oh, I used to grow that.”  Then they’ll tell the group how to grow that specific plant. If a book references a certain city, the residents will tell you that they’ve been there, and then you’ll hear all about the cities they visited. It’s a way for the residents to share pieces of their lives and their cherished memories.

Describe your volunteer role with Westminster Towers.

I volunteer several times a week at Westminster. I lead the Chicken Soup Gang and I help with transporting the residents around the retirement campus. On Friday’s, we stroll with the residents. Other times, I’ll just visit with the residents; I’ll knock on doors and ask who would like to sit outside. We can visit the pool, the beauty shop, the cafeteria and get ice cream. We also go on trips, we recently went to the Biltmore Estate and we go to outlet malls. The residents love shopping for clothing at a reasonable price that still looks nice.

What do you want to be remembered for?

For caring and sharing.

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

I didn’t think the residents would be so appreciative of my service. They make me feel good for volunteering. I’m not really a pretty lady, and they all say “Wow, you’re pretty.” That flattery is nice, but what they’re really talking about is my personality and what they see within because of the time I am spending with them. I always leave Westminster feeling elated.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I’m not scared to get old (laughs). I didn’t know that I was as nice or appreciated as such until I worked with the residents at Westminster. You’re pretty much average when you’re just a worker bee in a job. Maybe you do things that are nice within your life, but the residents make you feel really special about yourself and the gifts you have to offer. The staff is also incredibly appreciative for your time as well, they thank me each time I walk through the doors.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

It’s important to give back and not get overwhelmed, most people don’t have 20 or 30 free hours to dedicate to volunteering each week. Even if you can spare one hour each week to go see someone, you’ll be personally greatly rewarded. We’re never too busy to fit in service, and you’ll leave whenever you’ve volunteered feeling so much better about yourself. Truly evaluate how you spend time in your life, a lot of things we do are just wasted time. With respect to volunteering in nursing homes, this one hour of service makes such a difference for people who don’t have visitors.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I want people to try volunteering and if it’s not for them, move on to a different area of service. At least try, you’ll feel so much better about yourself.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Carol Collins? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Marlena Militana.

College Student Promotes “Miracles” through Faith and Fun

22-year-old Janae Innis has been involved in community service since she was a child, but describes how volunteering with Georgia College Miracle was a totally organic event, and was a result of her love for fun.  

As a freshman at Georgia College, Janae spotted a flyer for a dance marathon that GC Miracle was hosting. She says she fell in love with the event and what the organization stood for: dedication to saving kids’ lives and making miracles happen through an extended network of events and fundraising. The Johns Creek, Georgia resident quickly became more involved with the program, first as the morale leader for the chapter and later by serving as director of morale and entertainment. 

Dedicated to GC Miracle and service with Young Life, recent college graduate Janae made a difference in her community by serving over 1,000 volunteer hours as a student at Georgia College and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Janae to learn more about her work with CG Miracle. 

What inspires you to volunteer?  

I never considered myself a volunteer, and I still think it’s weird to say I’m one. I’ve always gotten involved in organizations that do good for our community and the people around us. My service goes back to my faith. I’m here on this earth to love on people, places and to give back to those who are lacking. 

What do you call yourself if you’re not a volunteer? 

It sounds even weirder to say this word, but service comes to mind. I’m not a servant to these organizations or cause, but more so I’m a servant to the Lord. We’re all called to be of service to him. 

What would the title of your autobiography be? 

“Open hand, open heart.” I feel like it’s so easy to have a closed fist and be selfish with our time and energy. If we’re closed with our time, we’re closed off with our emotions as well. I remind myself all the time to have an open hand with the people around me, and an open heart will follow.  

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

To be able to think about the things that I’ve done through my service and the impactful relationships I’ve made with children and adults. Also, getting to be alongside these families and support them as they go through whatever struggle they are facing. Those relationships will carry me through the rest of my life.  

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?  

We all live in our own little bubble, which is why it’s so important to take a step back and look at what others are doing or going through. I could have never dreamt to know what it would feel like to be a 10-year-old hospitalized, but through Georgia College Miracle, I know what it feels like. All these experiences and relationships have opened my eyes to have a broader world view and to count each experience as a joy.  

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

I want people to pay attention to the communities around them. It’s so easy to be “us-focused,” and not look beyond what’s in front of you. Even if you don’t have an organized program in your community to volunteer through, there are always people and situations around you that need love and attention,  whether that’s through service or just going through your day to serve the people around you.  

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Janae Innis? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities. 

Post written by Marlena Militana. 

In Memory of Aunt, Teen Gifts Stuffed Giraffes to Pediatric Cancer Patients

As a child, the now 15-year-old Elizabeth Merriam remembers watching her aunt battle cancer and the subsequent oncology treatments, and wished she could comfort others going through a similar experiences.   

Turning towards a demographic closer to her own age, Elizabeth decided she was going to help support and spread love to children battling cancer through the sponsorship of a stuffed giraffe. Launching Kristen’s Kisses in her aunt’s name, Elizabeth’s organization gifts children nationwide with tokens of love and support. Each sponsorship costs $5 and provides a child undergoing treatment a personalized stuffed giraffe. These serve as a reminder to hospitalized and sick children that their greater community, sometimes even strangers, are there to comfort and love them. 

By donating over 500 giraffes, raising over $2,500 and logging hundreds of hours volunteering, Elizabeth is making a difference in her community by reminding sick children they are not alone, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Elizabeth to learn more about her work with Kristen’s Kisses. 

What inspires you to volunteer?  

Most teens in our society don’t give back enough and I feel that if I’m doing my part, I am encouraging other kids to do the same. 

Describe your volunteer role with Kristen’s Kisses. 

I volunteer, fundraise, promote events and leverage our social presence to raise awareness about Kristen’s Kisses and its cause. I also research organizations to partner with and try to find relevant events where we can speak about our organization and why it’s important. 

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

A couple of years ago, I met the aunt of a girl we’d sent a stuffed giraffe to. The girl’s name was Cynthia. Cynthia had passed away, but meeting her aunt and hearing her stories about how much the gift had meant to Cynthia really warmed my heart. It comforted her in her time of need. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?  

I used to suffer from really bad social anxiety and volunteering was my way of overcoming my anxiety. Giving back has personally helped me so much. I speak to people in public about my organization, and that helps me every day.  

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?   

Today’s service carves what our community looks like in the future. If we want our home to look a certain way, we have to be a part of that. 

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

It doesn’t matter how big or small your contribution is to your community, it just matters that you do something to help. 

You’re a rising high school junior. What’s in the future for you? 

I want to become a psychologist for people and teenagers who have social anxiety. Having experienced really bad social anxiety, I can relate. I went through what they are going through, and I want to be there to help them through their journey.  

How can people help Kristen’s Kisses? 

Please visit our website for more information about events, and learn how you can help: https://kristenskisses.weebly.com/ 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Elizabeth Merriam? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities. 

Post written by Marlena Militana. 

Offering Horse-Assisted Therapy for Disabled, Retiree Gives Gift of Movement

71-year-old Pamela Rogan says that as a teenager, she asked for a horse as a gift for every birthday and Christmas. However, by growing up in an apartment in Brooklyn, her wish never came true. 

Today, the Melbourne, Florida resident has a stable of more than a dozen horses in nearby Cocoa, Florida where she provides horse-assisted therapy for individuals with physical, mental and behavioral disabilities through her organization, Harmony Farms, Inc. All riders, ranging in ages from three to over 70 years of age, are able to take advantage of the benefits of horse riding. These benefits include movement, increased muscle tone, verbalization and attention span development. 

Impacting thousands of riders in the more than a quarter of a century since launching Harmony Farms, Inc., Pamela is making a difference in her community through the therapeutic power of horses, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Pamela to learn more about her work with Harmony Farms, Inc. 

What inspires you to volunteer?  

I never volunteered as a child or young adult. Most of the time, my life was too busy with family, working and other things. Once I retired, I finally had the opportunity to volunteer and I’m continually inspired, mainly because it just feels good. If you have something you can help someone with or benefit by, why not share it? 

Describe your volunteer role with Harmony Farms, Inc. 

It’s a 24/7 job, but a true labor of love. I work to add more programs for our riders and I fundraise to support those programs. I also organize events and I am the chief grant writer.  

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind? 

That I made a positive difference in somebody’s life, whether it was a volunteer or a rider. I’d like people to remember that I gave our volunteers an opportunity to help people and put more in our riders’ lives than what they had before. 

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

Seeing our riders improve every day is rewarding because we see small miracles. When I have the parent of a 6-year-old child, who is riding for the first time, start crying and they tell me they are tears of joy because they’ve never heard their child giggle… that is worth it. That’s worth everything. 

Is there a future event you are excited about? 

In December we will host our “Blizzard at the Barn,” it’s our holiday open house. Please check our website for more information.  

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?  

When we have school children come out to visit us at the farm, I remind them that everybody on site helping the children are volunteers. When I ask the children what it means to be a volunteer, we always get a couple of kids who say, “To do something that you don’t get paid for.” Ask me if I get paid? Yes I do, but not in money. I get paid by feeling good for doing something good for someone else. 

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?   

Start small and think about your own personality when deciding how you want to give back. In my career, I worked in business and management so taking on this farm and operation wasn’t a big step for me. If you’ve got time, go volunteer and help somebody. In the volunteer world, it’s either feast or famine. We always need help. There is no such thing as having too many people to help. 

What’s your life motto? 

Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. That’s what I try to encourage, especially with our young volunteers that come out. And that advice goes for our volunteers, our animals and everyone who visits us. 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Pamela Rogan? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities. 

Post written by Marlena Militana. 

On-The-Go Volunteer Provides Emergency Medical Services On and Off the Clock

A dedicated volunteer, Chesterfield, Virginia resident Ryan Scarbrough wears many hats in his community, all in the pursuit of using his skillset to give back. As the president of the Lakeside Volunteer Rescue Squad, he oversees a group of 60 volunteer members who serve as the network of first responders who provide immediate care on scene. Ryan also serves as the District 3 secretary for the Virginia Association of Volunteer Rescue Squads, an organization dedicated to volunteer rescue squads and other agencies involved in rescue and pre-hospital care, and sits on their board of governors.  This is all just in the 35-year-old’s free time when he’s not working full time as the regional project coordinator for Old Dominion EMS Alliance. 

Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for logging over 4,000 volunteer hours in his life, Ryan is making a difference in his community by providing citizens  comprehensive emergency medical services when they call 9-1-1, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Ryan to learn more about his work. 

What inspires you to volunteer?  

I’m inspired knowing that I’m making a difference in the community and helping people at their worst times. These organizations are like an extended family for me as well. Out of necessity, I spend more time with my fellow volunteers than with my family, I even spend holidays with them because there’s a need for our emergency services.  

What does volunteering mean to you? 

I grew up in a family that worked in the medical field, but I started volunteering because it was a calling.  

What’s your personal motto? 

“Be prepared.” That’s what we were taught in Boy Scouts growing up and it’s stayed with me.  

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

When we are thanked by the people or family we are helping… that’s the most rewarding part. Their thanks means the world to me. First responders don’t receive many thanks or even interact with the family after providing emergency services. If the family or patient is stable enough to express gratitude to us and make sure we know they are ok, it means more than a paycheck. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?  

Without my volunteer experience, I wouldn’t be in the position I am now. It’s helped to groom me into the person I am today. Volunteering has provided a lot of outlets to practice the different skills that I wish to pursue in emergency medicine and IT fields. 

Do you have any upcoming events you are excited about? 

The Lakeside Volunteer Rescue Squad is holding an open house to celebrate its 60th anniversary on September 15, 2018. Please check our website for more information.  

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?   

If you don’t give back, services will fall to the wayside and leave a gap in communities that might not be filled.  

You’re receiving a lifetime achievement award for volunteering at a young age. What does the future of volunteering look like for you? 

I don’t foresee myself ever not volunteering. Service was a calling when I started to dedicate my free time, and I feel like that’s still the same. For people that feel that they can’t volunteer now for a myriad of reasons, because they’re older or don’t have time, there’s always somewhere you can help out. If you have a financial background, approach an organization and ask if they need help with their financials or help them fundraise. There are always people behind the scenes supporting an organization.  

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

If I could give just one piece of advice to anyone reading my story, it would be to not be afraid to learn new things each day. With regards to emergency services, there are plenty of CPR and first aid classes out there. If you can get involved and get trained, you might be able to help save a life.  

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Ryan Scarbrough? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities. 

Post written by Marlena Militana. 

Teen Dancer Gives Back By Helping Aspiring Dancers with Clothing, Equipment

Three years ago, Flynn Kemh – an eleven-year-old at the time – says she started to realize there were some children in her dance classes who could no longer afford to come. Flynn, who has danced since she was a toddler, decided to do something for her peers and all those who weren’t as fortunate to do what they love. So she created Born to Dance.

Today, the 15-year-old high school student, who lists ballet, jazz, modern and pointe among her passions, has collected and distributed more than $40,000 worth of dance equipment to local organizations. She’s also partnered with dance studios to provide classes to special needs students at no cost to their parents. Helping hundreds of children thus far, Flynn is making a difference by sharing her passion for dance with underserved and disadvantaged communities, and is today’s Daily Point of Light Award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Flynn to learn more about her work with Born to Dance.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I started to notice at my own dance studio that some people I was friends with couldn’t afford dance classes or attire. It made me feel really upset, I’d never noticed it before. I wanted to do anything to make sure people could keep doing what they love.

Describe your volunteer role with Born to Dance.

I hold donation drives and work closely with my community to collect and personally deliver donations. During the donation drives, I usually have some of my friends help me. Day-to-day, I am emailing people thanking them for donations, as we accept donations year-round. I do a lot of research to identify organizations that will accept our donations.

You’re a rising sophomore in high school. How do you manage school, dance and your volunteerism?

During the week, I focus on school and dance classes, but over the weekends I focus on Born to Dance. I love working on Born to Dance. When you can see the looks on people’s faces, and how happy the kids are to receive the opportunity to do what they love, it’s life changing.

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

In my last donation drive in January, I met the parents of a girl who was on a dance team in my school district, she’d recently passed away in a car accident. Her parents came to my drive, and gave us some of her old costumes. It was such a beautiful experience because they were happy to help others even though they’d been hurt. They just wanted to carry on their daughter’s kind heart through their donation.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I’m more open-minded now. Meeting some of the children that don’t have as much as others, it’s made me understand how much help people in the world need. It just clicked. I want to keep changing and trying to help the world as much as I can.

You’re giving back to disaster areas too. Explain.

I’d wanted to help Puerto Rico after the island was hit by Hurricane Maria. I ended up emailing a local performing arts school in PR that needed help, and we mailed dance attire to them. Our donation restored a little bit of hope and normalcy for those children. They’d lost almost everything. For them to be able to go back to dance school, and take a break from worrying about the issues they face at home – lack of power, water. (Dance) just let them be a child in that moment.

What upcoming event are you working on for Born to Dance?

Born to Dance will hold another donation drive in January 2019. Check our website for more information.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

It’s rewarding to know that you’ve helped someone, and see that help literally change somebody’s life. Dancing has given me more self-confidence, and you can see that change in others we’ve helped, too.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I want people to know that any little thing they do to help someone can really impact their life. We live in a society and age where we don’t think about our effect on the world, and at my age, we tend to be more focused on things that revolve around ourselves. I’d urge my peers to really take the time to think about how they can help someone.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Flynn? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Marlena Militana.

Ensuring No Animal Goes Hungry, Pennsylvania Middle-Schooler Launches “Kids Adopt A Shelter”

12-year-old Catherine Olsen enjoys playing volleyball, basketball and lacrosse. She’s involved in Girl Scouts and is starting 7th grade this fall. What sets this middle-schooler apart from other kids her age? This standout volunteer logs approximately 250 hours of service each year, and recently launched the Eastern Pennsylvania chapter of Kids Adopt A Shelter which local shelters with donated resources and supplies.

The Alburtis, Pennsylvania resident began giving back at a young age, first volunteering with Kids Adopt A Shelter as a 5-year-old. The organization was established by animal-loving kids and is designed to provide support to animal shelters and rescues worldwide. Participating children are encouraged to adopt a shelter or rescue of their own. When Catherine, a native of New York, moved to Pennsylvania with her family, she decided her new community needed a local chapter of Kids Adopt a Shelter.

Devoting her time to helping local shelters and supporting in-need animals in her community, Catherine is making a difference in her community and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Catherine to learn more about her work with Kids Adopt A Shelter-Eastern Pennsylvania.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I just wanted to get out there and help. I was super shy as a child, you would never believe it. I found this stray cat named Monkey, someone had dumped her. I wanted to help other animals like Monkey. We started off small, we rescued a fish, one dog, two guinea pigs and a hamster named Cookie. Then I began helping local shelters.

Describe your volunteer role with Kids Adopt A Shelter.

I organize fundraising local events. We attend pet expos and bring supplies to local animal shelters. I’m continually looking for animal or community events to get the word out there and recruit more volunteers.

What’s your dream pet?

A dolphin. I’d name it Dolly.

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

It’s rewarding to drop off food to local animal shelters. Sometimes I help workers at the shelters feed the animals. Observing the animals in their habitats, it feels really nice to see the resources I worked so hard to gather go to a great place and be put to use. 

What do you want to be one day when you grow up?

I want to be a zoologist at the Bronx Zoo. I love every single animal and I want to help them all.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Before I started volunteering, I never knew dogs and cats were so mistreated. I am the East Coast USA National Grand Ambassador for Kids Adopt a Shelter and I use my title to help the community. It’s been really rewarding for me to help all the animals and help people with animals. I think it means a lot to people to see me out there volunteering like I am. I am an example of why any generation can help.

Do you have any upcoming events you’re excited about?

We put together donations called “Santa Boxes” as we near the holidays. We ask for small cat and dog toys, small accessories and canned animal food, then we put the supplies together and bring them to shelters. We’ll be asking for donations again this winter for our Santa Boxes. If anyone is interesting in helping us with donations, please visit our Facebook page or email us: [email protected].

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

My service has had a big impact on all the animals in our local shelters. It’s important for others to give back and show that someone actually cares.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

Start out small. Go to your local pet store and buy cans of dog or cat food. Bring it to your local shelter and ask if it’s ok to drop off some food. 

What’s your life motto?

Dream big and you’ll succeed.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Catherine Olsen? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Marlena Militana.

Emphasizing a Personal Connection, Atlanta College Student Hand-Delivers Essentials to Homeless Population

A native of Dunwoody, Georgia, a suburb outside of Atlanta, Zach Leitz says he was never exposed to the problem of homelessness in his community. However, after becoming a student at the University of Georgia in Athens, he was shocked by how rampant and visible the issue was in the college town.

Learning that Athens-Clarke County was one of the poorest counties in the nation, Zack worked to identify how to best serve the homeless individuals in Athens and surrounding areas. Inspired by a video he watched online, Zack launched The Backpack Project, Inc. in 2015. Zack decided that he could make a significant impact through a small-scale operation by offering backpacks to homeless individuals throughout the year with essential supplies like food, clothes, toiletries and other miscellaneous items.

Having served thousands of clients since starting his organization, the now 22-year-old and recent graduate is making a difference in his community by addressing the physical and emotional needs of homeless individuals and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Zack to learn more about his work with The Backpack Project, Inc.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I have volunteered since I was a child, but over time I’ve developed my own philosophy surrounding service. I now think of philanthropy as a civic duty and I appreciate the concept of civic rent. For all of the opportunities that our community affords to us, we have a responsibility to give back to our community. Philanthropy could and should be a centerpiece of every person’s life in whatever arena is most important to them.

Describe your volunteer role with The Backpack Project, Inc.

At UGA I handled fundraising and organized outreach. The Backpack Project, Inc. was built to be run, managed and operated by UGA students in perpetuity. We currently have a team of 16 compassionate and innovative student volunteers who work each day to bridge the gap between aspiration and reality in homeless services across the cities of Athens, Atlanta and Augusta.

Explain how these backpacks work.

We have four different backpacks throughout the year: a summer and winter backpack with different essentials and a men’s and women’s backpack. Each backpack is made for less than $20, and each contain more than 40 items including food, clothes, toiletries and miscellaneous supplies. We focus on direct delivery, so we hand-deliver each backpack we make. The face-to-face contact is an important part of our mission. In addressing the more personal, emotional aspect of homelessness, we’re not just delivering physical supplies. By learning more about their environment and their needs, we’re able to improve our backpacks and serve them better.

What do the backpacks mean to the people you give them to?

It comes down to reminding someone of their value and self-worth. With each backpack, we are reminding these people that they’re loved. When you think about the phenomena of people walking by someone who is homeless and not making eye contact, or not taking the time to nod your head and say hello…it’s dehumanizing. For someone to take the time to seek out these individuals, give them something that will make them more comfortable and take the time to sit down and listen to them – that serves as a reminder to these individuals that there’s hope.

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

Being able to create an organization that has allowed students to get involved and experience philanthropy hands-on has been rewarding for me. Additionally, the moments when you are face-to-face with the people you are supporting – when someone says that you’ve really made a positive impact on their life and tells you that you reminded them they are loved. That feeling is beyond words. Those are the things I hang on to.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I’ve experienced enormous personal growth through launching this organization. I’ve also personally found that “happiness pursued eludes, while happiness given returns.” It communicates that those who spend their time, effort and energy working to help others are those who will truly find happiness themselves.

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?  

It’s everyday philanthropy. Anybody, anywhere in the world, regardless of their status or occupation in life, has the capacity to give back. It’s a fundamental thing and what bridges us in community. It teaches us empathy. Your perception is not the only one that exists in the world. It puts you in someone else’s shoes; I look at it as somewhat of an opt-in civic responsibility.

What do you want people to learn from your story?
For a long time I knew what issues I was passionate about and what was important to me. The question I was left with was, what can I do about it? If everybody could understand the potential they have to affect change and that the amount of things you can do is so vast and so powerful, that’s when real change happens. People don’t realize how powerful they are.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Zack Leitz? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities.

Post written by Marlena Militana.

New Yorker Helps Unwanted Dogs Find a Home with Disabled Veterans

For many years, Joni Bonilla professionally trained and cared for dogs, but her perspective on the perfect match between a dog and its owner changed one day when her veteran friend, described the challenges of finding a pet following the unexpected loss of his beloved family dog.  

Joni’s friend, a disabled veteran who was suffering from PTSD, was deeply affected by the presence of their family dog who became a reminder that he was never alone. Following the loss, Joni’s friend was desperate to find a new companion but found that trained dogs for veterans were often expensive and had excessive waitlists.  

Deciding that not one more veteran should have to wait for the benefits of a trained dog, Joni founded Operation At Ease. Working with shelters and rescues nationwide, OAE pairs unwanted dogs with disabled veterans free of charge. All dogs are fully vetted prior to placement at no cost to the veteran, and veterans partake in free, guided training programs to learn the skills needed for the dog to pass the Public Access test, allowing owners to bring their dog anywhere they go in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

By rehabilitating dogs from shelters to serve as companions for veterans, Joni is making a difference in her community one pet at a time, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Joni to learn more about her work with OAE. 

What inspires you to volunteer?  

You can’t tell someone, “Thank you for fighting for my freedom, but sit tight for 6 years while we have millions of dogs dying in shelters.” There’s just no need for it. We send these young men and women into combat, they suffer trauma, then they come home and they need our support. Over 20 veterans commit suicide each day. I just decided to put veterans and dogs-in-need together and turn it into something positive.  

Describe your volunteer role with Operation At Ease. 

I do all of our event planning, fundraising, orientations, training, screening and more.  We provide the venue to the veterans to train their dogs, which means we are getting them out of the house every day for a purpose. When training is hard, they work through it just like they work through the successes. Training helps them with their trust issues; they have to trust their dog and to trust us. The veterans work collaboratively through training. Our work is just as much a benefit to the mental health of the veterans as it is a process to adopt a dog. 

If a book was being written about your life, what would the title be?  

(Laughs) I don’t know. There are so many layers to my life. A book has a beginning and an end. Tell someone to blog about me. A book ends, I’m not ending.  

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

It’s far exceeded anything I ever expected. Every time I show up for training, it’s just as rewarding as the last time. You’re meeting the bravest people in our country, these are men and women who had a calling to serve. PTSD is anxiety and depression; they’re not afraid of life, they just truly don’t know how to deal with life post-combat. We’ve taken some dogs from shelters, and with training they are able to help the veteran and provide companionship.  

What’s an upcoming event you are excited about? 

Our Diamonds and Dogs fundraising event will be in November. Please check our Facebook page for more information.   

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?  

My entire life has changed. I took so many things for granted before OAE. I had cancer when I was 15years old, so I always felt like I appreciated my life. However, seeing what these vets go through, my entire outlook has changed. I truly consider it a win when their feet hit the ground in the morning.  

Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?   

 We’re all here together. We have to take care of each other. Anything that anybody can do is a big deal. We’re all connected in this world, so whatever your niche is, go do it. If you can buy one pair of socks for one homeless person for a shelter, you’ve changed that person’s life.  

What’s your life motto? 

I have 175 of them. It just depends on the day (laughs). You just have to wake up and do the best you can.  

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Joni Bonilla? Visit All For Good for local volunteer opportunities. 

Post written by Marlena Militana.