Teenage Animal Shelter Volunteer Finds Forever Homes for Felines

Blake Austin is a typical high school freshman. She plays basketball, is busy with academics, and is involved in band and book club with her friends. The passion that sets this 15-year-old Brunswick, Maine native apart from others? She’s volunteered over 500 hours in the last year with the Midcoast Humane animal shelter.

What started as a young child’s desire to spend time with animals has now blossomed into a dedicated pursuit helping four-legged friends. Blake wears many hats as a shelter volunteer, from cleaning cages, working at adoption events, and assisting with Animal Camp. Her favorite way to give back? Fostering cats and newborn kittens and helping felines to find their forever homes as an Adoption Ambassador.

Giving over 1,500 hours of nurturing volunteer service to help animals facing a difficult road and in need of special attention, and fundraising over $10,000 thus far, Blake is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Blake to learn more about her volunteerism with Midcoast Humane.

What inspires you to volunteer?

The passion I have for helping animals. I see them and hear the stories about what they’ve gone through and where they’ve come from, and it breaks my heart. If volunteering means petting them for an hour or taking them to my house for a break from the shelter, I’ll do whatever they need.

Describe your volunteer role at the shelter.

I fill a bunch of roles. I help on the weekends with laundry. The shelter goes through hundreds of pounds of laundry each week from sick or quarantined animals. There’s just one washer and two dryers at the shelter, so we work through it and pray there’s enough clean laundry for everyone (laughs). I am a certified foster cat caregiver and Adoption Ambassador for the shelter, which means I help to find homes for the animals I foster. I’ve fostered over 100 cats and have found homes for them. I also assist with events the shelter holds including their Animal Camp, birthday parties, fundraisers and outreach.

Tell me about the shelter foster program.

The foster program allows the animals – whether it’s bunnies, puppies, or slightly anti-social cats or kittens, time away from the shelter. There are many different reasons to foster an animal, including dealing with medical issues, if they’re feral and just need to get used to people and their surroundings, or if they’re too young to get spayed or neutered and need to wait before they are able to receive vaccinations. In general, being fostered helps the animal to destress away from a louder shelter environment. These 8-10 week temporary placements include managing care, sometimes feeding, nurturing and providing medications. Check the Midcoast Humane website to see how you can help: https://midcoasthumane.org/volunteer/foster/

Share one impactful story with me from your volunteerism.

I fostered a litter of kittens in January 2018, there were three amazing foster kittens that we took care of. They all came in to the shelter with eye infections so they were given eye-related names: Iris, Rhett and Cornelius. Cornelius was such an incredible cat. He was so sweet and fluffy and adorable. A woman in my neighborhood has health- challanges, she is such a nice person and is wheelchair bound. She wanted one of the foster kittens and she fell in love with Cornelius. One of the most rewarding parts of my volunteer work is finding the purr-fect home for my foster cats. Once he was old enough to be adopted and he was in better health, our neighbor adopted him. His temperament was a perfect match for my neighbor, and Cornelius hasnt left her side since.

As an Adoption Ambassador, you give some love to fosters on your Instagram. Explain.

I use my Instagram page to broadcast whatever fosters I have at the time to help raise awareness and help to find homes for the kittens and cats. I’ve helped to place over 200 cats since I became involved with the program. As an Adoption Ambassador, I can have the cats spayed or neutered at the shelter and instead of waiting on the floor at the shelter, they can come directly to my home to be fostered until they make it to their new homes. Fostering them at home can help them be their best selves before they make it to their forever homes, because the shelter is not always the ideal place for a young kitten, or a cat dealing with health issues.

What’s one thing you want readers to take away from your service?

Find something that you’re very passionate about. As many people say, when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. The hours fly by when I spend time volunteering. Also, you’re never too young to make a difference. I started volunteering at the age of eight, and my contribution has continued to grow.

You don’t have a cat as a pet. What’s your dream cat for one day in the future?

I haven’t thought about that (laughs). We can’t have a pet cat now because my dad is allergic to them. Hopefully, she’s going to be fluffy and adorable and sweet. I don’t know exactly what she’d look like but she’ll be orange or black, and she’ll have whatever name suits her.

Tell me about an exciting event coming up for the shelter.

We are breaking ground on a new facility with tons of space for animals to run around. We are doing a lot of fundraising for the new facility. We also hold several mega-adoption events for animals throughout the year. Check our website for more information: https://midcoasthumane.org/

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

Post written by Marlena Militana.

This Fish Story Gives all Anglers a Chance

When Heidi Overman first started volunteering for Fishing Has No Boundaries, she was a five-year-old Brownie and her job was to carry fishing tackle from the dock to the boats lined up and waiting.  Today, 31 years later, she is the chair of the Hayward chapter which has hosted more than 4,800 disabled anglers for their annual two-day fishing event. Fishing Has No Boundaries (FHNB) is a national non-profit organization that provides a safe and fun environment for people with disabilities to go fishing, using adaptive fishing equipment and volunteer guides to give everyone the chance to land that big fish.

Heidi is committed to making a difference in her community and she is today’s Daily Point of Light Award honorees. Points of Light spoke with her about her commitment to service.

What inspires you to volunteer? 

I love being able to offer all kinds of people the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.  After I’d experienced how gratifying that is, even as a little girl, I made the conscious decision to keep volunteering.  I see that as people enjoy the sport, they learn more about themselves. When they see they can easily go fishing, then so many other doors open.

Describe your volunteer role. 

As chapter chair person, I lead the organization and plan the monthly board meetings. As a board, we figure out fundraising ideas and plan the annual two-day fishing event, which involves a lot of logistics and volunteer coordination.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work?

It’s so rewarding to see our anglers learn about and use adaptive fishing equipment that can also work in other settings. It’s great to see the same anglers come out each year. We are really a family. Lots of hugs and high fives.  And when they come back to shore with a string of fish – it’s the best.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I’ve had to learn how to lead. I was in my early 30s when I became chair person, and most of the board and other volunteers were much older than me. I didn’t really know how to manage and budget and deal with all the logistics of a big even and financial expectations of a non-profit, but I’ve learned!

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about? 

Always excited about the next event which is our annual fishing weekend in May. We will be helping 130-150 anglers catch some fish!  

What kind of adaptive equipment do you use?

We work with individuals with a wide range of physical and/or cognitive disabilities. There might be an electric reel or reel grippers, for instance. For the visually impaired, there is a long white pole outfitted with batteries, so the pole vibrates when there is a fish on the line. For the hearing impaired, there are rods with lights that flash when there’s a fish tugging on the line. Plus, there are two volunteers with each angler to help along the way.

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

The volunteer benefits as much if not more than the recipient of the help.  Volunteering gives you a new point of view and perspective. Human interaction becomes more important than being fixated on your phone. Treating others with respect becomes the priority.

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

I just hope people will take that initiative and volunteer to find a way to help others.

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

Post written by Beth D’Addono.

Turning Tragedy Into Testimony, Domestic Violence Survivor Gives Back to Neediest

After years of abuse suffered at the hands of her husband, Gail Spradlin says the desire to protect her 3-year-old gave her ability to break the cycle. Embracing the courage to leave and strength from her faith, Gail says she knew there was a plan for her life. Gail is now sharing that hope and strength with others in her community who are enduring adversity in their own lives.

Living in Floyd County, Kentucky, where the economy has depended on a declining coal industry, the 45-year-old resident says she identified the need for a homeless shelter in her community to help those who had fallen on hard times. After more than two years of conversations with the community and planning, what started as a vision to help others is now a dream realized: the East Kentucky House of Hope is opening their doors to homeless individuals in mid-February.

Overcoming hardship in order to help change the lives of those around her, Gail is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Gail to learn more about her work with the East Kentucky House of Hope.

What inspires you to volunteer?

It hits close to home. Being a domestic violence survivor, I left my house so many times. It’s the feeling of, where am I going to go? It can happen to any of us, if we just miss a paycheck or two. As someone who has faced adversity, I know there are people out there that just need a hand up. They don’t necessarily want a hand out, I didn’t want a hand out when I was dealing with abuse, because I didn’t want people know that I was struggling. Just offering time and service can make a huge difference in somebody’s life.

Describe your volunteer role with East Kentucky House of Hope.

I am directly involved in everything from the physical work we needed to put into the building to ensure it was ready for our clients, to coordinating community meetings, outreach and volunteers, to fundraising. I currently serve as the president of the board for East Kentucky House of Hope, and volunteer anywhere between 10 to 25 hours of my time each week, depending upon what’s going on.  When everything started to fall into place, that’s when you know you’re doing God’s work.

Why was there such a need for a homeless shelter in your community?  

During the day, I run Hand in Hand Ministries, a non-profit organization in Auxier, Kentucky, which has a food pantry and facilitates home repairs for low income families. Every year, starting around September until May, the phone rings off the hook at Hand in Hand, or my Facebook page is lighting up with messages coming in in the middle of the night, advising of a young boy who was living in a tent on the creek bank, or that a group of 10 people are living elsewhere without shelter. While you don’t see people in the streets like you do in the big cities, they’re out there. East Kentucky House of Hope will serve 12 clients, and they can stay for as long as they participate in the program. We are partnering with Kentucky River Community Care for mental and physical health services. We want to break down any barriers they are facing that is causing them to be homeless.

How has the community supported your efforts?

So many people in the community have stepped up, we spent very little on renovations to the building. The board takes care of the facility, food and maintenance, but the community is supporting us to feed the clients. We already have private individuals, churches and restaurants registered to help provide food, and we’ve been able to raise about $50,000 for the shelter through the community. It’s a small community, and people struggle, but they’re always willing to give what they have.

Share one impactful story with me from your volunteerism.

The first time I encountered another woman suffering a domestic violence situation, she called me up and was screaming into the phone. I was able to go to her and walk her through the steps of everything she needed to do, because I had personally been through it. She was a young lady that had 3 kids and she lived here locally. He had complete power and control over her. To this day, she is out of that situation. While I was suffering from abuse, there were so many times I wished the neighbor had called the police, or that the person in the car next to us had called the police. If you witness or suspect domestic violence, step up and call somebody. Do your part. I am here to tell people that there is life after domestic violence. I am turning my tragedy into my testimony, and without God I would have never been able to do that.

What’s your life’s motto?

In his mind a man plans his course. But the Lord directs his steps.

What’s one thing you want readers to take away from your service?

It doesn’t matter your financial status. It doesn’t matter where you are in life. You can help someone. You can be someone’s miracle, whether it’s a smiling face, a cup of coffee, or holding the door for them. A listening ear is sometimes one of the best things you can give someone. Let them speak and let them tell their story.

What’s one event coming up you are excited about?

As part of our fundraising for the shelter, we hosted a Dancing for Shelter event, a take on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars”. An attorney who I worked closely with to open the shelter is also a ballroom dancer. He invited dancers to our event, and we raised over $46,000 through the event. We are planning to hold Dancing for Shelter again in November 2019. Visit our website https://ekyhouseofhope.com/ and the Mountain Arts Center www.macarts.com for more information about the event and how you can help.

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

Post written by Marlena Militana.

Florida Teen Helps Classmates

After Hurricane Irma, Darby Campbell of Fort Meyers, Florida, realized there were many students who had lost everything and many others who constantly go without. The 17-year-old junior decided to do something to help her classmates in need. Darby created the G.I.F.T.S/Interact Club, which started the Greenwave Boutique.

With the help of a school administrator, Darby found an empty closet space at her school suitable for the boutique and had shelving donated. The boutique collects donations such as clothing, shoes, homecoming dresses, toiletries, towels, blow dryers, bedding, and backpacks, and allows Fort Myers students and their families to take what they need free of charge.

G.I.F.T.S. also collects monetary donations and holds fundraisers to help students pay their rent or buy items not available at the boutique. The Greenwave Boutique model has spread to other throughout the city, and G.IFTS helps provide donations for those closets.

Darby recently started an internship with Christy’s Cause, a nonprofit that works to eradicate child sex trafficking through education, awareness, restoration projects and justice initiatives, where she will be helping the nonprofit run their social media and plan events. Darby is working hard to make her community and the world a better place. Points of Light spoke with her about her commitment to service. 

What inspires you to volunteer?

When I first began my community service project, it was just inspired by an idea that I had and a will to make it happen. But after beginning, I realized the vast need in Fort Myers and especially Fort Myers High School (FMHS). Then, once I heard stories of the families and students that the Greenwave Boutique was helping it inspired me to take it one step further, and then further, and then even further. It was strange because it was almost addictive. Once I got my foot in the door and began to make more connections, I wanted to help as many people as possible. Then after I got involved with Christy’s Cause and became more educated on sex trafficking, I realized that the issue of sex trafficking was nowhere near the same as what the Greenwave Boutique was helping. My sister, my friends, and even I could fall victim to this problem. This served as further inspiration to work towards solving the issues that plague my community. 

Describe your volunteer role.

I am the founder and president of G.I.F.T.S/Interact club which is the club that created the Greenwave Boutique and works on other community projects within Fort Myers and FMHS. I also am an intern at Christy’s Cause so I am very involved in the community projects that they are doing to eradicate sex trafficking. 

What has been the most rewarding part of your work?

The most rewarding part of my work has definitely been the reaction from the community. After creating a club like this and seeing that there are so many people that want to help support my cause, it is extremely empowering. It gives me a hope in humanity and inspiration to become a better person after observing the selfless actions of so many. Also, another rewarding aspect of my work is the stories I hear about the families and students that the club is helping. I have been told stories of mothers who come in the closet and burst out in tears. To be able to be someone’s only source of help and support is very rewarding yet also a reminder to continue working hard. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Empathy is the most important thing I have learned through volunteering. I have learned to always be grateful no matter what you are going through, because someone is always going through worse. I have also learned patience and tolerance. The kid who sits next to me in class that always falls asleep during the lesson isn’t just lazy, he could be homeless or have to work the night shift at a job. Working as a volunteer has made me realize these things. 

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

I am very excited about my internship with Christy’s Cause since it will give the club many new opportunities for involvement. I am also extremely excited about our partnership with Our Mother’s  Home (a home for teen moms in foster care and their babies)since we will be learning from the girls as much as we are helping them. Also, most of my work with the Greenwave Boutique doesn’t involve seeing first-hand how I am helping someone. With Our Mother’s Home I am able to meet and connect with the girls I am helping. 

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

 I think it is important for others to give back since without giving back it is extremely hard to realize what is going on within one’s own community. Also, through helping others one can learn empathy, leadership skills, tolerance, etc. If you never give back, you will never realize how rewarding that feeling is and this could hinder future opportunities that would benefit all. 

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I want people to learn that they are never too young to get involved or become passionate about something. I have a job, internship, and I am in the IB (International Baccalaureate) Program at FMHS, but I still make time for these community service projects since they are important to me. I want people to learn that they are never too busy either. I want others to learn that it is never too late or too early to start something and that with hard work and commitment you can take a simple project, such as a closet, and turn it into something that is helping hundreds throughout Lee County. 

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

Former Military Spouse Continues to Serve Her Community

Towson, Maryland resident, Michelle Merson, has long dedicated herself to giving back to those around her. While her husband, John, was serving in the United States Army, Michelle became involved in the military community and found many ways of her own to serve.

When the Merson Family was stationed in Germany, Michelle, a German citizen, used her connection to the community to fill a need for many military families. Michelle volunteered for the unit’s Family Readiness Group, assisting military families to resolve issues associated with living in foreign countries.  

During her career as a medical translator, Michelle worked in conjunction with the U.S. Army medical efforts and, when her husband deployed, she continued to support other families while taking care of her own family by herself. She volunteered to translate documents in support of emergency Red Cross notifications, which allow deployed service members to take emergency leave when a loved one is undergoing a major medical emergency.

In 2012, when her husband took a position with the Warrior Transition Unit, Michelle led a Family Readiness Group and used her skills and position to augment the unit’s efforts for those families in transition. Michelle educated German military spouses on the immigration process and held coffee groups to discuss cultural differences and how to prepare for living in America. For families with American-born spouses, she continued to assist them with issues related to residing in Germany.  

Michelle volunteered with numerous organizations throughout her husband’s Army career, including the U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt, U.S. Army Garrison Vilseck, United Service Organizations, Red Cross and Wounded Warrior Project.

Today, Michelle continues her commitment to service work—as a volunteer lunchroom aid at Riderwood Elementary School and, most recently, with Backpack Rescue, a Baltimore nonprofit that assists victims of human trafficking. Michelle assists in collecting hygiene, comfort and clothing items for distribution to victims of human trafficking.

Three and a half years after her husband’s separation from the Army, Michelle and her family continue giving back to their community and hope to encourage others to volunteer and help connect them with ways to meet community needs.  

When asked why she thinks it’s important for others to give back, Michelle replies: “Humility and gratitude are important to leading a balance life; if you only take without giving back you lose your balance.”

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

Extending a Helping Hand One Care Bag at a Time

Not every teenager could turn personal adversity into opportunity. But that’s what Carlie Hay has done by founding Care Bags, Inc., a non-profit that delivers food and necessary personal supplies to those in need.  Carlie and her brother experienced a hard scrabble upbringing, raised by a single mom whose sense of sacrifice set the stage for her daughter’s accomplishments. 

Once the family’s home life stabilized, Carlie wanted to make a difference.  She started volunteering in eighth grade with community organizations like the MacDonell Children Services. Interested in doing more, Carlie formed Care Bags, which earmarks specific supplies to matching recipients, from collecting school supplies for at risk kids to food for the homeless.    

Carlie is committed to making a difference in her community and she is today’s Daily Point of Light Award honorees. Points of Light spoke with her about her commitment to service.

​What inspires you to volunteer?

For most of my life I was raised by a single mom, who constantly sacrificed to give my brother and me the best life she could afford. I often saw my mother buy a hot meal for a homeless person and on the same night go without a meal herself. Following her lead, I have always wanted to help those who were less fortunate than us. Once I was in a position to do that, I looked for small ways that I could help.

​Describe your volunteer role.

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

​Seeing the smiles on peoples’ faces, especially children, really touches my heart as they show their appreciation with hugs and big thank yous. Knowing what it feels like to go without, I am happy to be able to help them, even if it’s only in a small way.

​What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

I’ve learned that no matter what your circumstances in life, everyone has the same basic needs: food, shelter, warm clothes and knowing that someone cares about them. It is vital to treat all people with love and respect—unbiased against appearances, circumstances, and backgrounds.

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

I will be heading off to college next September and am excited about my plans to continue my Care Bags service in my new city, wherever that might be. My mom plans to continue Care Bags here in Houma and would appreciate any help the community is willing to offer her. I am also enthusiastic to find out what opportunities will be available for me in my new home away from home.

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

If those who have the ability to help the less fortunate turn their backs, who else is going to aid those in their community? I try to live my life following rooted in Luke 12:48, “For whom much is given much is required.” I might not have infinite ability, but I have so much more than many people in the world. Through the goodness of others in my community who donate to my Care Bags, we have been able to touch the lives of the less fortunate in our community in a small way.

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I would especially like for children and teens to know that they are never too young to help others who are less fortunate. I was in elementary school when we would give sandwiches to people on the streets. If that’s all you can do, do it! If you can do more, do more. You’re never too young. And, if you know my mom and you live in Houma, offer to help her carry on what I am thankful to have started.  

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

Atlanta Dentist Offers Restoration and Healing as he Repairs Smiles and Lives Through Volunteerism

Pearly whites. Chompers. Ivories. Your teeth play a larger role than most give them credit for. They are an integral part of the structure of your face and healthy teeth are vital to diet, health and an overall sense of well-being. But the care of teeth can sometimes take a backseat due to lack of resources.

That’s where Richard A. Weinman, DMD, comes in. Devoting several hundred volunteer hours each year across several organizations including the Ben Massell Dental Clinic, Donated Dental Services and Georgia Mission of Mercy project through the Georgia Dental Association,  and the Special Smiles program, the Atlanta-based dentist gives his time and talent to treat about 185 low and no-income patients annually across the state of Georgia, at no cost to the patient.

As the cost of annual dental care runs on average over $600 according to the American Dental Association, and sometimes higher, Dr. Weinman is truly giving people in need a reason to smile, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Richard to learn more about his volunteerism.

What inspires you to volunteer?

My family inspired my volunteerism. My mother, especially, volunteered for many, many organizations. My father always supported her, and always made it a point to give to many different charities. His contributions weren’t a secret, he wanted us to know that giving back was something he felt was important, like a personal responsibility. Some people have different hobbies, for me, these different volunteer activities keep me busy and happy.

You are an active volunteer. Share some information about the organizations you work with.

• Ben Massell Dental Clinic: Over 100 years old, this is the oldest continuous dental clinic in the country. It is 100% charity, there is no sliding scale, so we are able to take care of the neediest people first. The staff is completely volunteer, we have about 190 dentists on staff that include all specialities for adult dentistry, and we treat between 2,000 and 3,000 patients each year. I have volunteered at the clinic for over 35 years treating the people who fall through the cracks – both low-income and no-income people – and serve as a member of the clinic’s board of directors.
• Donated Dental Services: This is a year-round charitable program that provides free, comprehensive dental treatment to ​Georgia’s most vulnerable people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile. I led the effort to establish this program in the state after seeing how well the program did in other parts of the country. In 2016, the Georgia Dental Association made a three-year commitment to the Donated Dental Services program.
• Special Smiles Program: I have been a volunteer with this program for 20 years. It is run by Georgia Special Olympics and provides comprehensive oral health care information, including offering free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to participating Special Olympics athletes. 
• Georgia Mission of Mercy: I serve in a lead role for the Georgia Mission of Mercy project, a 2-day free dental care clinic that provides about 2,000 patients with nearly $1.7 million in care.

Wow, tell me more about the Georgia Mission of Mercy project.

The Georgia Dental Association’s Foundation for Oral Health sponsors this free dental clinic about every other year. Approximately $150,000 has to be raised in advance to host an event of this size, and then in-kind donations are coordinated. Several hundred Georgia dentists and more lay volunteers gather from across the state to donate their time and expertise to provide dental care to thousands of adults in need. Basic dental services are offered to low and no-income adults including cleanings, fillings and extractions. We will see a couple thousand patients over this two-day period. These are people who are really down and out, and they’ll wait overnight in lines like you would for a rock concert. We see as many of them as we are able.

Describe your volunteer role as the Chairman of Governmental Affairs Committee for the Georgia Dental Association.

My job as chairman of the governmental affairs committee for the association puts me in the lead to ask for funds and help level the playing field a bit in supporting our dentists and providing care for the community. While the legislature is in session, we ask dentists from around the state to come in and talk about different programs we support. I attend about 6-8 sessions in total, and I might also be called on to testify in committees. Last year, we were able to achieve helping dentists with their student loans. This year, we’re working to address the shortage of dentists in rural areas, a crisis affecting all medical professions. We are asking to put into place a program that encourages new practitioners to work in underserved counties by offering to pay their malpractice insurance if they relocate. Lastly, we successfully got the state to commit to paying for a coordinator for five years to help facilitate donated dental services. This role helps the association continue their service to patients across the state.

Share one impactful story with me from your volunteerism.

One young lady had problems with drugs, which is common with some of the patients we see, because they’re so out of it, they don’t take care of their teeth. They get horrible decay and their mouths are ruined. She came to me through the Donated Dental Services program. In addition to her addiction, she had anxiety issues. Once she recovered from drugs, she then became homebound because she was anxious about the way she looked. I took her on as a patient and restored her teeth. She was an attractive lady but before her teeth were fixed, but she kept her hand in front of her mouth when she talked to you because she was that embarrassed.  I’ve kept her as a patient since then to help her maintain her dental health. When she comes to see us now, she always says how our help changed her life.

You’ve dealt with some very serious medical situations. Explain.

Let me tell you another patient story. This patient was also referred through the Donated Dental Services program, she had stage 4 cancer and had such severe dental problems, her doctor stopped her chemotherapy because she would have likely died from dental infections if she took drugs to suppress her immune system. The concern was that she’d likely die from cancer if she continued on without chemo. I coordinated her care because it required some extractions and because she wasn’t healthy, we got oral surgeons involved in her care. We restored her dental health and got her back on chemo. Truly, once we were able to get her squared away, we knew she was going to be able to take care of herself.

What’s one thing you want readers to take away from your service?

What people don’t realize is that it’s not uncommon for dentists to take on patients on a volunteer basis, whether they’re doing so through their church, or for a clinic or organization. People sometimes stereotype us as those rich dentists, making money, buying cars, but there are lots and lots of dentists that really provide for those most in need, and don’t talk about it. They’re not tooting their horn, they’re just out there providing care. When we can make someone look good and get them out of pain, it’s a great feeling. It’s a great profession, I wouldn’t want to do anything else.

What’s your favorite part of being a dentist?

My favorite part of dentistry is restoring a patient’s smile. A patient can’t tell when something is technically correct but everyone can appreciate when we give them an attractive smile.

Outside of Georgia, how can those in need get dental help?

The best way is to check programs that the American Dental Association offers. Additionally, some public resources are available through local organizations, including religious organizations.

For those reading, how can they help?

The Ben Massell Clinic and the Georgia Dental Association are always in need of volunteered services. Please check their websites for more information.

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

Post written by Marlena Militana.

Georgia Dad is on Mission to Help Pediatric Transplant Patients with “Enduring Hearts”

A family vacation, which was planned to be a wonderful trip together, became a nightmare for an Atlanta couple as their youngest child, Mya, 18-months-old at the time, was rushed to the ER suffering from what seemed like an asthma attack. Precautionary X-rays at the time indicated her condition was much worse, the toddler’s heart was the size of a 9-year-old’s heart.

Mya was subsequently put into a medically-induced coma, and her family prepared for what would turn into a battle for survival. After being listed with top priority status on the pediatric heart transplant list, Mya and her family waited for 6 months in the hospital before she received her heart. Her father, Patrick Gahan, says that excruciating time, filled with many questions and few answers, was difficult as he and his wife, Madelyn, were unsure about what to expect for a child living with a heart transplant. Explaining that heart transplants usually do not end the need for medical attention and concern, instead replacing current issues with new ones, Patrick wondered why there wasn’t more innovation in the field to help children live more normal lives following transplants. Launching “Enduring Hearts” in 2013, Patrick designed the organization to fund research that increases the longevity of pediatric heart transplants, improves quality of life, and works to eliminate pediatric heart diseases that may result in transplant.

Raising more than $4 million in donations plus private equity for highly targeted research ongoing at more than 20 medical institutions around the country, including prominent institutions like Duke, Vanderbilt, University of Chicago, and Emory, Patrick is making a difference for pediatric heart transplant recipients, and is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Patrick to learn more about his work with Enduring Hearts.

What inspires you to volunteer?

Mya’s illness was the starting point for my volunteerism. Now, it’s almost a relief to know that when parents go to the internet, they can start searching for what’s being done when it comes to pediatric heart transplants, and they can find out that there is someone focused on solving their problem. They’re not alone with what they are going through.

Describe your role with Enduring Hearts.

Initially, as the founder of the organization, it was just me setting everything up, getting everything for the organization up and running. I didn’t want any dollars going to anything but research. Our staff were volunteers for the first 2 years, then there were very limited salaries after that. Today, we have over 30 active volunteers between our events, board and scientific committee at any time. At one time I was chairman of the board, I now serve as chair of the vestment committee. My primary role is fundraising, so I do a lot of major donor development work for the organization. We also work with the charity’s financial advisor to help allocate investments to generate income for the charity.

Tell me about some of the ongoing research projects and annual events you have.

• Research: We have over 25 ongoing research projects across medical institutions nationwide including research on transplantation tolerance and validation of novel non-invasive assay for the detection of heart rejection. We are doing groundbreaking work on identifying the precursors to transplant rejection before patients start to go down that path.
• Annual 5k: We hold at least one 5k each year, and we’re always looking for volunteers. Check our website for more information about how you can help: https://www.enduringhearts.org/.
• Private Gallery Showing: On August 23, 2019, we’ll have a private gallery showing to benefit Enduring Hearts by Fabio Napoleoni. Please check our website for more information: https://www.enduringhearts.org/.
• Holiday Lights: Locally, we’ll hold a lights show with an animated Christmas display for families to attend. 
• Giving campaigns: We’ll host end of year campaigns around Giving Tuesday or National Philanthropy month (November).

Your entire family has helped with this mission. Tell me about your oldest daughter.

Our oldest daughter, Anya, is 11-years-old, and she has jumped in to help support the cause with her artistic skills. She makes the most fantastic thank you drawings for notes for our major donors.

How is Mya doing today?

She is about to celebrate her 10th birthday this March. When you look at her, you would have no idea she’s had a heart transplant. She’s about the best you could expect with a child with a transplant. Her favorite thing to do is play games on the iPad, just like any other child. She doesn’t want to be in the spotlight, and she doesn’t want to be different than any other kid.

Share one impactful project that Enduring Hearts is working on.

The Road to Recovery program is the most important program we facilitate. It serves two purposes: First, it helps families to mitigate fuel costs associated with transplant care. The expenses can really add up. Transplant families endure frequent back and forth travel during hospitalizations and follow-up appointments or labs during pre and post-transplantation, one parent is often going back and forth between work, the other is watching the other kids. Secondly, it makes us visible to families who might not know about us or our mission. It’s really important that we arm them with our resources and information, so they don’t feel like they’re on their own.

What’s in the future for Enduring Hearts?

The priority is making sure the kids that receive heart transplants are living as long as possible and experiencing as few complications as possible. Additionally, we plan to grow our care side, and make sure that we’re helping the families at the transplant centers live as normal lives as possible. These kids who have had transplants have to go in once a year for an invasive biopsy of their heart to check for rejection. A lot of research has been done to figure out less invasive ways to detect rejection as opposed to the current gold standard. We are probably two years away from having an alternative. In the name of research and support, we’re looking to double, if not triple, our funding.

What’s one thing you want readers to take away from your service?
We are going to solve this problem. We are going to make a heart last a lifetime.

What future event do you have coming up that you’re excited about?

Our 4th annual Bourbon Gala and Auction is being held on February 15, 2019. Over 400 people will be attending from states across the country. If you want more information about the event, visit https://www.enduringhearts.org/event/bourbon-gala-and-auction-stave-room/. 

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

Post written by Marlena Militana.

From Disaster Zones to Everyday Life, New York Red Cross Volunteer is Ready to Help

12+ hour shifts. 2,800 person mega-shelter. 20,000 meals a day. A fleet of 30 ERVs. These statistics illustrate only a part of what it takes to support a community in crisis, a sampling of a variety of disasters that have struck the country in the last several years. Behind the equipment, food and time? People like Vivian Moy, who put their hearts and souls into helping strangers in a disaster zone.

The 53-year-old Port Washington, New York resident wears many hats as a Red Cross volunteer, but her passion for helping others in need is behind all that she does. Vivian is involved in volunteering for the Red Cross’ Home Fire Campaign, which installs free 10-year smoke alarms in vulnerable high-risk neighborhoods across the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island and Metro North. In addition, she’s deployed to five national disasters with the Red Cross including hurricanes, fires and Nor’easters as a sheltering and feeding volunteer, and most recently for the devastating Camp Fire in Northern California as a public affairs volunteer.

Impacting more than half a million people with her service and volunteering more than 3,000 hours over the last two years, Vivian is today’s Daily Point of Light award honoree. Points of Light spoke to Vivian to learn more about her work with the Red Cross.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I can’t think of a better way to spend my free time than in service to others. Volunteering with the Red Cross enables me to make a “career of humanity”. As Martin Luther King Jr. famously said, “Make a career of humanity…it will enrich your spirit as nothing else possibly can. It will give you that rare sense of nobility that can only spring from love and selflessly helping your fellow man…You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”

Describe your volunteer role with the Red Cross.

I do a lot of different things for the Red Cross. Some of the following responsibilities include:

• Major disaster deployments: When we deploy for disasters, we leave our homes for two weeks. Imagine stopping your life for two full weeks, and going to help a perfect stranger. That’s what we do. I’ve had 5 deployments so far, my most recent deployment was to the Camp Fire in California. Typically, I’m working 12-hour shifts to help people with resources, basic needs and health services. But it’s more than that. You’re sitting down, talking to these people, listening to their stories and letting them know they’re not going to be alone in this pathway to recovery.
• ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) Driver. Whenever there’s a large disaster and the location needs more ERVs than they have in that area, someone from Maine or Maryland or New York is driving that vehicle over to wherever it is needed. The ERVs are able to feed hundreds in affected neighborhoods after a hurricane or tornado, and can be loaded with resources to help in the wake of a disaster.
• Home Fire Campaign volunteer: I visit homes in our area to install free 10-year smoke alarms in vulnerable high-risk neighborhoods. Over 500 lives have been saved nationwide as a result of this campaign.

Tell me more about the Home Fire Campaign.

Volunteering with this campaign takes up the bulk of my time. I have looked into the eyes of too many people who have lost loved ones in a fire, and that’s the kind of pain you just never want to see on a person’s face. Spending my time installing free smoke alarms is something tangible I can do that increases a person’s chance for survival. It’s such a wonderful program, especially for the elderly. Think of grandmas and grandpas that can’t get up on a ladder to check a smoke alarm to see if it’s working. I can’t tell you how many homes I’ve gone to where they say the detector is working, and we press the button to see if it’s working, and it falls off the wall.

Share one impactful story with me from your volunteerism.

We have what we call mission moments, where we feel like we’ve really helped somebody. In the San Antonio, Texas shelter following Hurricane Harvey, I came across a gentleman who was so upset. He told me that his rent was due that day. He said he didn’t know whether he had a home or a job to go back to. He’d left his dog in his apartment, and he didn’t know if the dog was alive. I calmed him down and then connected him with a mental health person on site who could provide more help. While we were in Texas, we were driving through the affected neighborhoods, everybody’s house is gutted, their belongings are water logged. Just thinking about these people and what they’re going through – you’re coming back to your home, and you’re trying to clean up from this disaster, you don’t have a kitchen to use, you don’t have a restaurant to go to for food (cries). It’s so powerful to sit down with someone, be genuine about the help you are offering, and provide care and compassion.

Tell me about a unique service the Red Cross provides that readers might not know about.

We replace prescription medications! When a person has a fire, they have two minutes to get out. You can’t grab anything, it’s not a lot of time. We help those affected by a fire replace all sorts of medication, we help them replace their eyeglasses. One woman displaced by the Camp Fire had a motorized wheelchair, and we got her a new battery for her wheelchair.

You also volunteer for the USO (United Service Organizations). Tell me about this volunteerism.

My son just commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. He is stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. Once he enrolled in ROTC, I started volunteering for the USO because I knew once he became active duty, those three little letters would mean something to him. I am based in the JFK International Airport location here in New York. It’s like a business center where active military and retired can come to relax, use a computer, have cup of coffee. It’s a place to be safe before they leave on a flight. I also help with some of their major events like Fleet Week and the Wounded Warriors run. I’m a mother to those military members coming in, just like somebody’s going to be a mother to my son when my visits the USO in Germany or Japan.

What’s one thing you want readers to take away from your service?

Be the good in your community!

What future event do you have coming up that you’re excited about?

Sound the Alarm is a national blitz of events that the Red Cross is hosting through their Home Fire Campaign, it starts on April 27 and goes until May 12. Nationwide, all Red Cross chapters will have this 2-week blitz of home fire installations. Since the inception of the program, Red Cross volunteers have installed over 1 million new smoke detectors. Check the website for more information, and how you can help: www.soundthealarm.org.

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

Post written by Marlena Militana.

Giving Patriots Hope with Four-Legged Best Friends

Tim LeBlanc has found comfort in man’s best friend since he was a kid. 

The 59-year-old veteran comes from a military family and knows first-hand the trauma that PTSD can wreak in a family.  His father suffered from the disorder and was abusive when Tim was a kid.  To escape, Tim found solace training dogs with a neighbor, a way to replace the hurt with the kind of unconditional love only a dog can provide.  After serving as an 82^nd airborne ranger in the army, Tim left the military to care for his ailing mother.  The decision and circumstances were tough, and he again turned to training a dog to help himself get over personal hurdles.  That real world experience inspired him to found 4 Paws 4 Patriots in 1977, a non-profit that train medical and emotional service dogs to change the lives of disabled veterans and their families. The organization trains an average of 300 dogs (and owners) per year in California, Arizona, Utah and Texas. Most of the dogs are rescue, in every sense of the word.

Tim  is committed to making a difference in his community and he is today’s Daily Point of Light Award honorees. Points of Light spoke with him about his commitment to service.

What inspires you to volunteer?

It’s addictive. I say it all the time – I’m addicted to helping other people. What greater gift can you give than changing someone’s life for the better with a service dog?

Describe your volunteer role.

I founded the organization and we now have 28 trainers and assistants in five locations. Mostly I train the trainers, but I work on the administrative side as well.

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

These dogs change lives. One of my favorite stories to tell is about a guy who was a long distance runner and had a severe brain injury in the service that caused seizures.  He was 25 – and when he came home, he just locked himself in his house.  His wife had to quit her teaching job to take care of him. After we worked with him and his service dog, he did a 180.  His wife was able to go back to teaching and now he’s coaching cross country at a local school.  It’s a great example of how  these dogs don’t just touch one life – but many lives, from the kids in the class to the family to the kids he’s coaching.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

Probably the biggest life lesson is that when you help a disabled person, you help the greater community that surrounds that person.  It’s a ripple effect.  

Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?

We recently had 3 ½ acres of land donated here in Manifee to use as a central training facility.  That’s an expensive project but we hope to raise the funds to make it happen.  We also plan to expand beyond veterans and have dogs serve terminally ill children.  Once dog could theoretically serve seven or eight children in his lifetime.  

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

The rewards you receive are so much greater than money, than anything else. I have thousands of friends – every person I help is a friend now.  According to the VA,  26-28 veterans commit suicide every single day.  We have never lost a single person to suicide in our program. That’s something to be  proud of.  

What do you want people to learn from your story?

I want people to realize they can change the world an hour or  a dollar at time.  Even pennies a day can make a difference in someone’s life.  

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

Post written by Beth D’Addono