Retired Veterinarian Gives Back to Kentucky Community
For 41 years, Shelbyville, Kentucky resident, Carlen Pippin, focused on the health and wellbeing of animals, and now the retired veterinarian now focuses his free time on the health and wellbeing of his community.
The octogenarian volunteer dedicates his time to numerous organizations in his community including Habitat for Humanity, A Place to Sleep and Veterans Rural Outreach. Carlen comes from humble beginnings and understands the importance of giving back to those in need and is today’s Daily Point of Light award Honoree. Points of Light spoke to him about his service work and commitment to service.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I grew up very poor, and my mother was always going to help people in the neighborhood who were ill or needed help. From a young age, I believed this was what people did for each other. Growing up in an old four room log house without electricity or indoor plumbing for my first 15 years made me realize how important basic things like food, shelter and family were.
Describe your volunteer role
For 30 years, I have served on the Shelby County Public Health Board, and I have a passion for health. Without good health, life is much harder and less fulfilling. I lost my father at age 52 to histoplasmosis. This made me even more aware of the value of good health. And as a veterinarian for 41 years, helping keep animals healthy and active was an incentive for me to stay healthy and active. So for me, volunteering is part of staying healthy and active as well as giving back to my community and family.
Volunteering with A Place to Sleep, a small non-profit that provides beds to children, is so rewarding. To see the eyes and responses from children who receive the beds and bedding who haven’t had a bed to sleep in is indescribable joy. I help deliver beds throughout the community and donate the use of my truck and old fishing trailer which I’ve converted into a bed delivery trailer. I serve on the Board for A Place to Sleep and enjoy spreading the word about what we do in the community to garner partnerships and solicit donations. A Place to Sleep has been an inspiration for me to give back to the youth of our community and beyond.
I volunteer with the Veterans Rural Outreach as an organizer and member. Veterans Rural Outreach is composed of less than 10 Veterans to meet the immediate needs of Veterans in Shelby County and surrounding area. This has been an inspiration and has made me become acquainted with the immediate needs of the Veterans in our community by providing food distribution, funds to purchase prescriptions, help with housing/shelter needs, and the idea of building 6 mini houses for temporary housing of homeless Veterans. Recently, a disabled Veteran who is waiting on approval came to us having a hard time making ends meet. Working with the Salvation Army, I was able to provide him with gift cards to purchase groceries. After spending almost 7 years in the US Army and 15 months in Vietnam, I discovered something. Having money in my pocket and nothing to buy was life changing. The values paced on materialistic wealth are completely overrated.
Also, I am working with Habitat for Humanity on rehabbing a home for a handicapped Veteran who had no central air conditioning or heat. It has been quite a chore serving as project manager, but we have been able to secure HVAC, rework his bathroom so that it is handicap accessible, replace all flooring, paint and more.
I am also serving as caregiver for an elderly man who I met during a food delivery. He was unable to care for himself in his home, and I have helped arrange for him to move into a nursing facility where he is being well cared for. He has no family to help him.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work?
The satisfaction of being able to help others in times of need and difficulty is all the inspiration I need to continue trying to be of help to those less fortunate.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
There will always be a need for giving back to the community and aiding those who are less fortunate. You shouldn’t get discouraged because you can’t fix all the problems, just take one at a time. Just because I can’t help everybody doesn’t mean I shouldn’t help somebody.
Are there any future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about?
I am really excited about building the six mini homes for temporary residences of homeless Veterans. It will hopefully help reduce the suicide rate of homeless Veterans who have lost hope while trying to work with the current government Veterans assistance programs. This temporary housing will buy time to negotiate the earned services they deserve through the VA.
Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?
To be fortunate enough that you can give your time and not necessarily money is, I think, a way of sharing God’s blessings. It’s the best way in the world to learn that it is better to give than receive. Often, your time is more valuable than money. Talking, listening, and sharing are something everyone needs. And knowing that everyone is only one step away from calamity. Any of us could quickly become the one on the receiving end instead of the giving.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
There’s no doubt that the gift of giving is a gift from God. And I can’t explain the joy you receive from knowing that you’ve helped somebody. The joy brought about by giving is something you can’t buy off the shelf; it’s something you have to experience. You can’t tell somebody how it feels, they have to experience it. And there is no age limit on helping.
It’s not a burden, volunteering is an opportunity.
Pediatric Hospital ‘Big Brother’ Gives Young Patients Hope for a Bright Future
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Kiland Sampa. Read his story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Kiland Sampa volunteers at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, showing patients tools to use a wheelchair for everyday activities.
After a diving accident in 2013, Kiland Sampa found himself in a wheelchair at 15 years old. He refused to sink into a mindset of restriction and limitation, and focused on not letting his injury define his life. Concentrating on what he could do instead of what he couldn’t, Kiland began to volunteer at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, a pediatric rehabilitation center, to give back to the same place and staff that had given him hope for the future.
Inspired by the courage, joy and determination of the patients and staff, Kiland was determined to make an impact on the kids at Ranken Jordan, where he learned to transition from the hospital to home. As a volunteer, he shows patients that there are still physical activities they can do, even with a disability or in a wheelchair. Kiland gives tips on how to participate in a variety of activities, demonstrates how to drive in wheelchair-adapted vehicles and plays sports with Ranken Jordan patients.
Often seen as a mentor and encouraging presence at the hospital, Kiland has continued to take on more volunteer responsibilities over time. Today, the 21-year-old assists with fundraising and events, supports children in their therapy sessions, leads public speaking events and participates in projects to add special touches to the hospital in order to make it feel more like home.
Kiland Sampa pitches in a Ranken Jordan summer baseball challenge.
Some of Kiland’s favorite memories at the hospital include teaching basic troubleshooting skills to a teen who uses a wheelchair, such as showing him how to get back up if he were to fall from his chair. Although the patient was hesitant, a few days later he told Kiland that he did in fact have to use this skill after falling. Seen as the hospital’s “big brother,” Kiland inspires patients to believe in themselves. In fact, he was the first person to make one child smile after a car crash took the lives of his family members.
“Some people don’t understand how good they have it; things become second nature,” said Kiland. “It’s important for everyone to give back. Knowing that you’re making an impact on someone’s life is an amazing feeling, it’s life changing.
Kiland’s time at Ranken Jordan has not only impacted his past and present, but also his future. The hospital’s patients and staff have made a mark that is rooted in Kiland’s heart, and is the foundation on which he wants to build his career as a recreational therapist.
He believes that you can do anything you set your mind to, even if there’s a risk of failure. “You’re in control of your future, no one else is,” Kiland said. “Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t do, and it’ll be life changing.”
For the last year and a half Elk Grove Village, Illinois resident, Krisha Patel, has devoted much of her free time to promoting STEM for girls in her community. As a chapter leader and a National Programs Team Representative for ProjectCSGirls, an international nonprofit dedicated to closing the gender gap in computing and technology, the Illinois teen helps organize and facilitate STEM workshops in for middle school girls and encourages them to explore a variety of careers and industries.
The young teen helps with everything including curriculum building, recruiting volunteers, day of logistics, and finding host sites and mentors. Inspired by the strong sense of service instilled in her by her parents, Krisha gives back to the community and is today’s Daily Point of Light Award Honoree. Points of Light spoke to her to learn more about her service work, her love for STEM and what drives her service work.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I am inspired to volunteer by numerous factors that range from my moral responsibilities to a sense of self-satisfaction. Throughout my childhood, my parents have instilled a strong sense of service within my upbringing, and they have taught me how grateful I should be for everything I have and how there are many people that would do nearly anything for such opportunities. Therefore, it is my moral responsibility to maximize the resources I have and to strive to support as many people as possible. I have also been able to learn many important life skills from my volunteering experiences and these continue to inspire me to volunteer. For instance, volunteering has psychological, social, and cognitive benefits. Volunteering increases overall life satisfaction and helps you feel good about yourself because you are helping others. It can also help to decreases stress and with time, it has genuinely become an activity that provides me with pleasure. There are also social implications to volunteering. Volunteering engages students with the community, creates special bonds with the population being served, and increases social awareness and responsibility, which has become a direct application of the lessons I learned from my parents during my childhood.
Hence, my inspiration is ultimately my satisfaction. When I help someone, they become happy and their smile and happiness give me pleasure and satisfaction and thus my strength is increased day by day to volunteer. Volunteering gives me an opportunity to spread my connectivity to people of different culture and thus, is something I am motivated to do on a consistent basis.
Describe your volunteer role.
My volunteer work consists of organizing and facilitating STEM workshops under the parent organization, ProjectCSGirls. As a chapter leader and a National Programs Team Representative for ProjectCSGirls, it is my responsibility to cultivate opportunities to expose middle school girls to the fields of STEM and encourage them to explore a variety of careers and industries, including those that have primarily been known to be male-dominated thus far. Through the STEM workshops, we begin by choosing a topic to introduce or teach and then by finding and contacting experts regarding the subject. We then collaborate with these mentors to develop curriculum to teach at the workshops and thus, engage a variety of individuals in the process. I facilitate this communication and also assist with the curriculum development. From there, I recruit volunteers to assist with the actual activities themselves on the day of the workshop and with the support of a strong team, I then open up registration to girls in my community. We also contact different companies to ask for sponsorships for food and facilities, as well as different professionals in the STEM fields to join our career panels and offer valuable advice to the girls attending the events. After hosting such an event, I then go ahead and report back to ProjectCSGirls offering an idea of what went well and what didn’t to ensure that our next workshop runs even smoother.
Krisha Patel helps organize and facilitate STEM workshops for girls in her community./ Courtesy Krisha Patel
What has been the most rewarding part of your work?
Throughout my experiences and my work, I believe that the most rewarding aspect has been being able to see tangible outcomes as a result of my work. By hosting these workshops for the last 1 ½ years, I have been fortunate enough to meet girls of my age who weren’t interested in STEM at all but after being able to meet experts in STEM fields and truly learning about what a STEM career entails, they have decided to pursue a STEM field. Seeing such validates my efforts and by seeing a smile on their face with satisfaction of knowing what they want to do and how happy it makes them, it truly warms my heart. I do what I do because not only does it make me happy, but I know first handedly the struggle of determining what you would like to pursue in life and what a difficult decision it can be when you aren’t even aware of certain options. However, by offering this interactive opportunity to young girls, I have been able to help them out and it provides me with a sense of self-satisfaction that is incomparable.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
As a volunteer, I have learned so much about the way a community functions and how much there is to learn from every single member of a community. I have learned how to not only initiate mutually beneficially friendships, but how to also foster those relationships. I went into the volunteering experience thinking I would be sharing my skills and teaching young girls about STEM concepts, but little did I know, I would be learning just as much from them.
I also learned a really important life lesson and that is that no matter how tough you think your life is there’s always someone who has to face challenges that are even tougher than yours. After interacting with a diverse group of young girls with a variety of backgrounds, I realized how blessed I was and how grateful I should be for everything I had. As a volunteer, I began to appreciate the little opportunities I had received in life and this truly changed my mindset.
I also acquired many very important interpersonal and communication skills with making connections, putting my book-based skills to the test and applying everything I had learned thus far.
I also learned the importance of taking initiatives and truly striving to make a difference about something that you are passionate about. In fact, before I started my workshop program, many people had told me that it was highly unrealistic to organize at such a young age, but with support from my family, teachers, and mentors, I was able to and continue to achieve my goals.
Lastly, my biggest takeaway from my experiences as a volunteer includes the opportunity to experience sonder. Sonder. The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passed in the street has a life as complex as one’s own, which they are constantly living despite one’s personal lack of awareness of it. Through my experiences as a volunteer, I began to realize that there is so much more to a person than what we can see at first glance and that if we truly take the time to understand the levels of depth to a person, we would realize how complex every single individual is and how much we can do to support each other. I am very glad I got the opportunity to connect with individuals on such a level and truly hope that everyone has the chance to experience such a sensation.
Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?
In the near future, we will be hosting another STEM workshop focused around computer science at the Computer Science Labs of the University of Chicago in July and that will be a very important step in our journey, as we will be targeting a broader audience and will have access to resources that we haven’t in the past. It will also be our largest workshop to day, with nearly 40 girls participating. As time passes and logistics become easier to handle and manage, we hope to host events in increasing frequency to reach as many girls as possible and look into collaboration with similar organizations in the Chicago or Midwest area. In addition, we hope to increase our collaboration and partnership with ProjectCSGirls going forward to maximize our reach and ultimately achieve the goals of both organizations!
Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?
Volunteering in all shapes and forms strengthens our communities, brings people together and provides us with valuable experience and insight.
The benefits of giving to others are numerous and most are fairly obvious. Sharing with others, when you have abundance, is a centuries old act of human kindness that has given far-reaching benefits to generations. These benefits can be humanitarian, financial or cultural; they can give improved health, as well as freedom from disease and hunger. I believe that the most important reason to give back is based on a sense of self-satisfaction and the pleasure you get from your efforts.
All of us here in America, in particular, have numerous privileges that many people in the world can only dream of. We have access to excellent education. Policemen, firefighters, and other public servants who work for the safety and betterment of our community protect us. There are so many luxuries we simply take for granted; the idea of not having running water or reliable electricity is a completely foreign concept to us. Few of us have ever had to walk farther than the kitchen sink when we are thirsty, let alone worry about whether the water we are drinking could kill us. Many people in the world do not have these same luxuries. For this reason, I believe that each of us has the responsibility of giving back to the community.
One way we need to show our gratitude for what we have is by giving back. None of us would be where we are today were it not for the great circumstances in which we have grown up. Therefore, it is not just a good thing to give back, it is our duty to try and make the world a better place for those less fortunate than ourselves. This is why it is of utmost importance that we give back to our communities.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
From my story, I would like people to learn that although doing volunteer work may seem like hard work and not very enjoyable, there are many benefits to volunteering. I would like individuals to understand that while it undoubtedly benefits the community and those that you are giving back to, it is also extremely beneficial for yourself and the satisfaction you get from your activities. According to the Corporation for National & Community Service, giving back can: solve personal problems, strengthen communities, improve lives, connect to others, and transform your life and most of all help the people around you. People who volunteer also experience lower mortality rates, greater ability to function, and have less depression when aging than those who don’t volunteer. I want individuals to give back to the community not because they have to or because it is a graduation requirement. I want individuals to truly experience the sensation of giving back once because once you’ve felt those emotions, it’s nearly impossible to go back, but it’s something you can only experience for yourself to truly understand. Hence, I want people to use my story as an inspiration to truly try new things and seek and experience pleasure from sources that you wouldn’t normally expect to.
Texas Woman Supports Local Police Through “Citizens on Patrol” Program
61-year-old Sarah Faith is wheelchair-bound and only has the use of her right arm and leg, however this Farmers Branch, Texas resident has not let her disability stand in the way of supporting her local police department.
As a member of the Farmers Branch Police Department’s “Citizens on Patrol” program, Sarah’s volunteerism means police officers have more time to dedicate to crime prevention, enforcement activities and protecting the community. Participating in vehicle patrols, warrant calling and other related non-enforcement duties that help to support the police department, Sarah’s service has translated into increased safety and security for her community.
Giving back to those charged to serve and protect her community, Sarah is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Sarah to learn more about her volunteerism with Citizens on Patrol.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I wanted to show support for the police department. They leave their families every day not knowing if they will return home at the end of their shift. I believe that if I can help inside the department with smaller tasks, it will free up more time and money for officers to do more to protect and serve our community.
Describe your role with Citizens on Patrol Program:
I volunteer twice a week for Citizens on Patrol, and I mostly work for the court side of the police department. In our community, there are hundreds of unpaid violations that have turned into warrants. I make a courtesy call to the defendant warning them of their impending arrest at their place of business. If I am successful in getting them to call the court for payment or other available options, it clears the warrant and the police do not have to make the arrest, keeping the officer from harm’s way. I also perform database work for the court and administrative duties periodically for the volunteer liaison.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
The police officers are not big, bad people standing around waiting to zap you with citations, but are truly dedicated to protect and serve.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
If you have the time and want to do something rewarding and helpful for your community, this opportunity is for you. Through this service, you will learn to respect what our officers do on a daily basis.
You were named the Citizens on Patrol Volunteer of the Year in 2015. How did that make you feel?
I was very surprised and proud to be recognized for my time. It has challenged me to work even harder and recruit more volunteers to the program.
How can readers help?
Many communities throughout the country have Citizens on Patrol volunteer groups. Please check the National Association for Citizens on Patrol website for more information: http://www.nacop.org/whatarecop.htm.
Siblings Create Foundation to Feed Homeless in Detroit
What was just supposed to be a fun trip to a baseball game in downtown Detroit turned into almost a decade of volunteerism for two siblings nine years ago. After feeling shocked by the dozens of homeless people he saw near the stadium, Robby Eimers, then-eight years old, was spurred into action to start bringing water bottles and other food to pass out to those in need. After inspiring others to contribute to his campaign, Robby, who is now 17, started the Eimers Foundation to provide food, clothing and support for the homeless within his area. His younger sister Emma, who is 13, joined him and even started her own division of the foundation, Furry Friends, which gathers food and supplies to pass out to homeless animals.
Robby says thousands of volunteers have helped the Eimers Foundation, which now passes out 200 hot meals, water and other items to the homeless every Saturday. The foundation has also reached out to help others, such as passing out clean water to those in need in Flint, MI and providing monetary support to families in need.
For showing unwavering dedication and support to those in need, Robby and Emma are today’s Daily Point of Light Award recipients. Points of Light spoke to them to learn more about the Eimers Foundation.
Describe your volunteer role with The Eimers Foundation.
Robby: Usually we go down to Detroit, we’ll pass out 200 hot meals, water, food, clothes, stuff like that [to the homeless].
How did the Eimers Foundation start?
Robby: You know how if you’re driving to see a baseball game, you’ll see one homeless person chilling outside the baseball game? Well one day we were going down to see the game and I saw all the homeless people down the street and there were so many people down there, I just thought, we have to do something about it. There were like 50 people, it was just crazy to me, I didn’t know there was that many people. From there, we started bringing two, three packs of water, apples, just little stuff.
Siblings Robby and Emma Eimers were only nine and five years old, respectively, when they started dedicating their time to supporting the homeless community in Detroit./Courtesy Robby and Emma Roberts
Can you describe to me what a typical distribution day is like?
Robby: My grandpa works down there so usually he gets over there before us. He sets up a few tables, we bring all the stuff down and set it up. Sometimes they pray before we eat. We pass out all the food and stuff and usually we will chill down there for like an hour or two and we’ll talk to all the people and catch up with people.
We always make sure we have about 200 hot meals and drinks. My grandma and sister and me will prepare it the night before or get pizza in the morning.
Emma: Or chicken in the morning.
Robby: Usually it’s just in front of a homeless shelter down in Detroit, but we help people everywhere. We went to Flint, MI and we passed out a couple thousand water bottles. We help around everywhere.
Can you describe the reaction of the people you’re helping?
Robby: They’re very thankful that we come down and help and that someone is there.
Can you talk to me about Furry Friends?
Emma: When I used to go down with Robby, I was five so I wasn’t really into it as much. And then I saw most of them had pets and they didn’t have food for them so I started bringing food and supplies for their dogs and cats.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
Robby: There’s a lot of things I’ve learned. A lot of those people down there, they’re really smart and they want to get jobs. I know a lot of them have PH.d’s, it’s just like their houses burned down and stuff like that.
Emma: A lot of people don’t get to have what I have or what many people I know have.
Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?
Robby: I just think it’s good to give back to your community. I think everybody should help one another.
Emma: If we didn’t help out each other, there wouldn’t really be an actual nice place [to live].
Aside from passing out food and water along with her brother, Emma also created a branch of the Eimers Foundation called Furry Friends, which provides food and supplies for homeless animals./Courtesy Robby and Emma Roberts
What do you want people to learn from your story?
Robby: To go out and do their own thing, whatever they’re passionate about. It doesn’t have to be helping the homeless or needy, it can be anything, like how Emma likes to help animals more. Just go out and do what you’re passionate about.
When you first started handing out water bottles all those years ago, do you think you could have ever imagined this would turn into starting your own foundation?
Robby: No. We were just bringing down a couple, two packs and water and stuff like that and now we bring down five, six tables worth of stuff. It’s crazy…It was really just people seeing what I’m doing and wanting to help out.
Still Answering the Call to Serve, Former Airman Brings Compassion and Support to Fellow Veterans
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Bill Browne. Read his story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
After working a full eight-hour day, Bill Browne can be found at the Benjamin O. Davis Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 311. As the current commander, he oversees the activities of his volunteer staff and enjoys spending quality time with fellow veterans. Being actively involved in his community is not new to Bill, whose humility and generous nature inspires those around him to bring service into every aspect of their own lives.
Bill served in the U.S. Air Force from 1967 to 1971. After decades of civilian life, he still felt a calling to serve others and was looking for ways to get involved. He researched several service organizations in his community, and joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 2011. The VFW is a nonprofit veteran’s service organization made up of veterans and military service members from active, guard and reserved forces. Bill’s Richton Park, Illinois, branch unites comrades to serve and advocate on behalf of veterans.
The Benjamin O. Davis VFW Post 311, named after U.S. Army General Benjamin O. Davis Sr., has become a second home to Bill. Initially, he attended weekly meetings and joined a small number of committees within the organization. In 2013, he was nominated to become a junior vice commander, and quickly rose to his current position of commander. His responsibilities include being responsible for coordinating activities of committee chairs, connecting volunteers to veterans seeking assistance, and running events. Under Bill’s leadership, VFW Post 311 has increased membership by 25 percent, making it the fastest growing VFW Post in the state of Illinois with 300 members.
Events at VFW Post 311 include an annual picnic for the people of Richton Park, which Bill describes as a big thank you to the community. He also leads the team’s planning of the Commanders’ Ball and Scholarship Dinner every August, where members give away six $1,000 scholarships to young adults on their way to college.
Bill Browne and his comrades gather at the Veterans of Foreign Affairs Post 311.
One of Bill’s biggest events of the year is VFW Post 311’s annual Stand Down, a day of giving where breakfast, lunch, toiletries and new clothing are provided to veterans in need. Hundreds of veterans from across the nation are invited to participate in Post 331’s event. Veterans and their families often arrive before the sun rises to line up to receive local social services. Agencies provide necessary referrals for housing, employment, physical and mental health screenings, and information on obtaining the DD Form 214, a certificate of release from active duty that is needed to receive social services.
“Being a veteran myself, it’s an appreciation day to show others that they are not forgotten,” said Bill.
One of Bill’s favorite memories while serving VFW Post 311 has been hosting a Christmas party for kids and their families with his fellow veterans. After months of gathering donated food and toys, the veterans dress up as Santa Claus and his helpers, and distribute gifts to local children.
Giving back to others is at the core of Bill’s nature, thanks to values instilled in him at an early age by his parents. He is always actively involved, but in humility, he is most focused on the joy of others.
“It’s really a team effort. We’re all out here for the same reason, trying to help veterans. We’re all moving forward,” he said.
In Wake of Parkland Massacre, Floridian Redoubles Efforts to Create “Friendships”
In the wake of the Parkland school massacre, when 17 bright lights lost their lives in an unimaginable tragedy, 29-year-old Samantha Novick is bearing witness to the idea that love for your neighbors and community is sustaining.
As president of The Friendship Journey, the Coconut Creek, Florida resident offers programs that provide services and opportunities to children and young adults with special needs, fostering relationships and enriching lives through inclusive programs. It was only after the deadly 2018 shooting, her own mother present in the building during the attack, and two The Friendship Journey student volunteers killed, that Samantha’s volunteerism was reframed in a different light, driven she says, by her desire to give more and appreciate the fragility of life.
Now creating friendships and fostering love to provide the sustenance her recovering community so desperately needs, Samantha is uniting individuals in the name of support and love, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Samantha to learn more about her volunteerism.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I’m so grateful for any opportunity to help. Service has provided me with so much joy in my life. I know that sounds very cliche, but I really do feel that. From my experience with The Friendship Journey, people get involved because they want to help, and after they’re involved, they realize how much they learn from individuals of all abilities, and how they’re really helped just as much by them as they are offering help.
Samantha Novick pictured at a service project for Parkland Hearts, an initiative created by HandsOn Broward./Courtesy Samantha Novick
Describe your role with The Friendship Journey.
As president of The Friendship Journey, I ensure that we are creating organic friendships between individuals of all abilities and provide space for these friendships to occur. As a speech language pathologist, I realized that there was a gap in access for reading and other educational programs for special needs individuals. Through the seven different programs we offer, we’re giving children and young adults of all abilities the opportunity to get more involved, whether its increasing access to reading, or developing in some other way. We are really breaking down barriers, promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, regardless of someone’s perceived ability. We believe that every person has the ability to develop friendships and to receive love.
Share one personal story with me from your volunteerism.
In addition to my work with The Friendship Journey, I had the honor of helping Marjory Stoneman Douglas students plan the Parkland March for Our Lives in 2018. I walked offstage after speaking at the march, and all of the MSD students embraced me in a hug. I had just met them a month before, but at that moment I thought of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who famously said, ‘Always fight with love.’ That was the moment where I realized that fighting with love meant that we would win. As angry as we are and continue to be, ultimately, the love that we feel for one another and our community is going to sustain us.
You are honoring 2 of the Parkland shooting victims through your volunteerism. Explain.
Two of our student volunteers with The Friendship Journey were killed in the shooting. We’ve recently opened our newest program called “Dance Party Friends” in honor of Jaime Guttenberg, one of the shooting victims. The program gives our attendees a chance to participate in an inclusive dance party, and just have fun and enjoy themselves in a nurturing environment. Jaime was just 14-years-old when she was killed, but she was passionate about helping individuals of all abilities. Her dance teacher now instructs our new class in honor of Jaime. Also, we are recognizing another victim and volunteer of ours, Gina Montalto. She was an incredible artist. We recently ran a program in her honor at a local art studio. We have to bear witness for these victims. We have to remember their names.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
My mom is a current teacher at MSD in Parkland, and she was at the school when the shooting happened. I’ve always loved to help others, truly. Last year’s shooting really gave me a different perspective on life. I am constantly inspired by the 17 individuals that lost their lives in the shooting. There was so much light that was lost that day. That’s really accelerated my motivation to try to give more and to support others in our community, because I’m still here, and I’m still breathing, and not everyone has that opportunity.
Tell me about how you’ve served through grief.
I am a strong believer in healing through service. Service has helped us in so many ways over the last year and a half. We’ve felt helpless in so many ways in our community, so it feels good to help others and continue the legacies of the 17 that we lost that day.
How can readers help?
The Friendship Gala is being held in September 2019 in Parkland, Florida. Please check our website for more information about how you can help: https://thefriendshipjourney.org/.
This Wall of Love Offers Personal Items to Those in Need.
Twenty-eight years ago, Holly Jackson was living in a homeless shelter. The Cleveland native had fled from an unsafe relationship, opting for homelessness over abuse. It took a lot of work and perseverance, but she got back on her feet, finished college and feels gratitude every day.
Holly wanted to give back in a way that afforded dignity and respect to anyone in need. She started Walls of Love in November 2018 and has since organized more than 125 of these giving sites around the city. Fueled by donations and volunteerism, the Walls of Love are sections of fence around local businesses where winter care packages and personal items are left for those in need. Since some people are ashamed to ask for help, these sites offer an anonymous source of aid.
Holly is committed to making a difference in his community and she is today’s Daily Point of Light Award honoree. Points of Light spoke with her about her commitment to service. Paying it forward in so many small ways gives Holly the chance to be a force for good for people.
What inspired you to start Walls of Love?
I left a domestic violence situation 28 years ago and became homeless. Because I worked, I fell through the cracks. I made more than the poverty guideline allowed but I didn’t make enough to take care of my bills. When I had to humble myself and ask for help and was unable to get it, I was devastated and embarrassed. I never want anyone to feel like that again so I started these walls with the hopes that people could be anonymous. I wanted them to come to the wall with no stigmas or judgments.
How do you support the program?
By donations, fundraisers and personal out of pocket that I pay. As well as item donations from people and the community. We were just granted A501 C3 status so I’m looking for grant writers and people that can help me and hopefully will be able to sustain at that point with grants.
How many volunteers does your organization have?
The volunteer count changes based on walls and situations. The average is about 15 to 20 and the maximum has been around 50. In July I have one wall that’s going up that has a 140 volunteers.
Holly Jackson (in pink) partnered with Doubletree Hotel Tudor Arms to do an 1100-piece Wall of Love at E. 105 and Cedar in Cleveland, Ohio./Courtesy Holly Jackson
How do you find volunteers?
We get some volunteers with partnerships and some people just reach out asking if they can help. I also have some really awesome friends and coworkers who are always eager to help.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I volunteer because I want to make the world a better place one person at a time. I go out several times a week to take care of a couple permanent walls and one semi-permanent wall that is up nine months of the year. The rest are pop up walls.
What has been the most rewarding part of your work?
Seeing people getting the help they desperately need.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
I have learned that you should never assume anything about an individual, and that people will surprise you every time. Often things are not always as they seem, and the people that need the help the most don’t ask for it.
Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?
I’m excited to continue my work with Cleveland Metropolitan School District as well as Save Our Children. I hope to take this program national and I’m always looking for partners in other cities. I would like to note that Walls of Love is a trademarked concept and can not be duplicated without my written permission.
Why do you think it’s important for others to give back?
Because you never know how quickly you may be in a situation where you need help yourself. You also have no idea how much your interaction may impact someone’s life for the better.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
That you can make a difference in something as small as a smile or kind word. Providing items of daily need and warm winter gear was supposed to be just a one-time thing. I have been blessed to do more than 125 walls and service more than 14,000 people. That motivates me to continue helping. Let’s make the world a better place one person at a time!
Nebraska Teen Exposes Students To Computer Science and Strengthens Communities Through “Code for Change”
Participating in a local computer club but feeling like meaningful applications were out of reach, Pranav Rajan decided to effect change in his community.
Founding “CodeforChange” along with two of his high school peers, the now 17-year-old Lincoln, Nebraska student exposes students to the topic of computer science, while at the same time providing efficient solutions to community organizations. And the work doesn’t stop just in Pranav’s community – CodeForChange works with the Youth Entrepreneurship Clinic to center the focus on bringing entrepreneurial and computer science based education to other rural parts of Nebraska.
Seeking to solve the lack of experiential learning and computational learning at local educational institutions, Pranav is on a mission to show students the true impact of the power of computer and entrepreneurial skills, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Pranav to learn more about his volunteerism with CodeforChange.
What inspires you to volunteer?
My biggest inspirations are my peers at school. Sometimes, I see a lack in interest in school studies and classes. Students will ask why they’re learning what they’re learning. With CodeforChange, I am providing that answer. I show other students the importance and usefulness of what they’re learning so they can apply those skills in their community.
Describe your role with CodeForChange.
As president and executive director, I oversee all partnerships CodeforChange has with non-profits as well as the projects we provide to students. We have worked with about 10 non-profits thus far, and have had about 70 students participate in our program. I volunteer up to 30 hours per week handling logistics, conducting meetings with students and reaching out to possible clients and non-profits we want to work with.
Explain how CodeforChange works?
We assign participating students to teams, and match them up with local organizations to apply their skills. Additionally, we have launched the Rural Growth Initiative Project (RGIP), a partnership between our organization and the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. There, we work with professors and faculty to provide students with modern computer science and entrepreneurship curriculum accessible internationally. I felt strongly about creating opportunities for rural Nebraska, where there isn’t much access to these kind of projects. With our virtual curriculum, students from all over the world can access our content and programs.
Pranav Rajan pictured delivering a TED Talk regarding computer science education, his inspiration for CodeForChange, and the impact of CodeForChange upon students. /Courtesy Pranav Rajan
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
I’ve learned how access to education can affect lives. I’ve been able to translate how skills we learn in school can be used to impact day-to-day lives. I’m passionate about engaging students, and because of our virtual curriculum and tech, we are providing students across Nebraska with educational opportunities.
Share one personal story with me from your volunteerism.
We had a student who wasn’t doing very well in school because he didn’t find what he was learning to be very useful. Even though this student didn’t think his career path required computer or tech skills, I recruited him to join our program. As soon as he began to work on his project, an app which provided resources for individuals experiencing mental health issues, he was off. He began applying these entrepreneurial, humanities and STEM skills, and started paying attention in class. He started to receive good grades in school, and his project was one of the most successful projects we’ve ever had at CodeforChange.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
The skills students learn in educational institutions can be used to impact their communities. My advice is to always seek out opportunities and places where you can apply those skills.
How can readers help?
Please check our website for more information: https://codeforchange.info/.
