With a Passion for History and Children, Education Docent Gives 800 Hours to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Susan Quiring. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Susan Quiring has dedicated more than 20 years to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas. Working over 800 hours at the library, Susan educates hundreds of student groups on the histories of the U.S. presidents and the White House.
As a history lover and caregiver of children, Susan’s memories at the library and museum are endless. She taught herself the ins and outs of the library’s history from the ground up as one of its first volunteers, and has no plans of stopping.
Describe your volunteerism with the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
My volunteering began when I was a 4-H’er and Campfire girl, and later as a 4-H agent. I served as a counselor for the American Institute of Foreign Studies taking youth on study abroad trips. I’ve always been interested in history. When the Bush Library came into my life, I was actually at a good point of recovering from an illness and was switching from one job to another. I’ve always been interested in learning and I love the idea of getting involved in the community — it’s important that we all do that.
So I found the library and I had a lot of respect for George H.W. Bush. It was a combination of getting to learn more about history and current events because I get to prepare and lead educational tours, and I got to do something that involves the Bushes because I loved them. Plus, I helped our community and its children; one of my core values is working with children.
I went to the library’s grand opening, which was in 1997 I believe, and my first tour was the next day. I’ve been volunteering ever since as an education docent. Recently I’ve been starting as a visitor docent, but I love the education part because I get to educate children and help them learn about our democracy. I think it’s important for all of us to learn about our past presidents and their character, values and what guided their decision making. And I love getting to watch children absorb that. They really can tell when I’m listening and treating them with respect while welcoming their questions. I want to keep helping them understand honesty, integrity, humbleness and a servant’s heart, which were all traits in George H.W. Bush.
Susan Quiring has dedicated more than 20 years of service to the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas, working over 800 hours leading tour groups and educating children./Susan Quiring
When I would go over to the White House and dinners, I would learn bits of nuggets of setting a table, holding silverware and other common courtesies of the table. So now I’m also an etiquette coach, which is another avenue I try to help kids learn confidence and social and people skills.
What programs and special events do you help lead?
Besides being an education and visitor docent, I’ve also helped during our White House miniature special exhibit. I became the in-house resident expert on that exhibit and received extra training from its designer. I would be called to give special tours throughout that exhibit’s time and I loved learning all of the trivia and information about the various presidents living in the White House and the house’s design. The whole exhibit was done with so much precision.
Other than that, I’ve helped with our summer movie nights on the lawn and helped with a few Easter egg events. I’ve assisted with two or three of our art contests with children, and served as a VIP docent for special group tours that come into town. Since I’m also working full time as a ballroom and country western dance instructor and etiquette coach, I don’t have quite as much time to volunteer as I would like to, but I still manage to spend a good amount of time at the library.
Do you have a favorite memory at the library and museum?
Other than the White House miniature exhibit, it would probably be playing horseshoes with President Bush and his grandson George. They formed teams and the docents were all on a team to play against the two of them. And guess who always won? The President and his grandson. They had a special horseshoe pit. I’ll always remember playing with them and having a great time. First Lady Barbara Bush was also there sitting along the wall, just visiting with people. I sat beside her with so much admiration.
I also love every single tour I give. During my first year, there was no one to train us since we were the first ones to be on the team. We basically just had stacks of papers and books that we read before we could give our first tour. I’m so grateful for that because it gave me such a wonderful background of everything involving the museum and the Bushes.
What inspires you to volunteer?
For me, it’s a combination of my interest in history and current events and longing to help my community. It’s a win-win. With the Bush Presidential Library and Museum right in my backyard, it’s been extremely worthwhile that I can give my time through tours. Investing in the children also keeps me inspired. They need good role models, especially today. They need to learn that we can’t keep moving forward if we don’t know what happened in the past. When we understand the true formation of this country and the core values of our founding fathers, we learn the critical knowledge of our uniqueness.
As one of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum’s first volunteers and tour guides, Susan Quiring and the other docents will be honored this November for the 25th anniversary of the museum./Courtesy Susan Quiring
What have you learned through your experience as a volunteer?
I feel like I’ve become a better citizen because I keep up with current events and I’m more active in the community. When I was younger, I wasn’t very interested in history or current events, but that’s changed. Now I’ve learned more about our presidents too. Learning things in a fun way makes it stick, and that’s what I’m trying to teach kids.
Why is it important for others to get involved?
It’s important for people to volunteer so that they can help change people’s lives for the better and really help children. Children are always looking for a role model, and I think that’s important for adults to help fill those roles. It’s also a way to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and improve the community as a whole.
Are there any partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about?
There are always monthly programs and events that have someone reenacting one of the presidents, and we usually have someone representing President Washington and I think sometimes we have a Ben Franklin too. The 25th year of the Bush Library is also coming up in November, where all of the docents will be recognized. There are three or four of us who have been here since the beginning.
Adopted Texan Dedicates Her Time to Educating Library Visitors About Her American Heroes
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Afshi Mirza. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Afshi Mirza and her husband weren’t planning to spend their lives in College Station, Texas when they got on the plane from Pakistan. Her husband was heading to Texas A&M for an engineering degree, but after getting into business for themselves, they adopted the town as their home. Over 45 years later, their love for the country—and the Bush family—runs deep. Afshi has dedicated nearly 2,000 hours of her time to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum since before its opening in 1997 telling visitors from around the world why they should, too.
What inspires you to volunteer?
Ever since I’ve lived here in Texas, I’ve always volunteered. I just got here, and I got the bug. I always saw my parents doing it growing up. My mom was very involved in social work, and my dad went out of his way to help people.
The minute I heard that the Bush Museum was going to be opening here, I signed up. I didn’t wait to retire. Having your own business helps. The flexible hours allowed me to help whenever I wanted to. I worked as a flight attendant for a few years after we got out of our business, but even then, I still volunteered with the Bush Museum.
What is it that you admire about the Bushes?
I’ve been here since the 1970’s. I followed the Bushes when President George H.W. Bush was running for president and when he was doing public service. I just became a big fan of him and his wife, because I thought they were great role models. They seemed to share my upbringing centered around faith and family.
The day of Afshi’s volunteer interview for the Bush Museum in the summer of 1997./Courtesy Afshi Mirza
Describe your volunteer role with the Bush Presidential Library and Museum and beyond.
When I first signed up, they told me I was going to be a docent, and I had to look up what that meant. I also had to read up on President and Mrs. Bush in order to know more than just what you see in the news. Later on, I got to meet them in person. Volunteers are the first people visitors see when they come. We tell them all about the museum and answer questions as they go through. I’ve also spent some time in the education department and on a records management project.
The George Bush Library and Museum contributes so much to the community that you cannot even imagine. It’s amazing. This town is amazing. We, as volunteers, are the ones on the frontline of any event we do: the Easter egg hunt, changing exhibits, Fourth of July or education programs. We recently did National Night Out with the local police department. I love seeing families enjoying the activities together.
Are there any future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about?
The Bush Museum has permanent exhibits, but we also have a changing exhibit which stays for between three months and a year. Recently, we opened a Mandela exhibit. Everybody’s invited to attend the reception for the opening. We have another event coming up with an author. We get writers all the time. I’m excited about any event we do.
Why do you think it’s important to get involved in your community?
It helps build a sense of citizenship, strengthening communal bond and improving community life. That’s what we’re all about. We’re not giving something physically, but we have something to share and it really builds people up. When families and children come, they learn so much about our history, our community and our country… even politics!
We have docents all over the museum, so at every point, guests get to talk to a different docent about different topics or hear a docent talk about their own experience. It’s really important for our country to get young people involved.
Do you have any particular stories about guests that you really felt like were affected by coming through the museum?
In 25 years, I have never heard a negative comment. Sometimes they get nostalgic and tell stories about how President Bush was a part of their lives growing up. I’ve met people from all over the country and the world. Recently, I met a professor from South Korea who kept saying President Bush is his hero. I said, “Yeah, mine too!”
I’ve had guests who have flown in from all over the world for cancer treatment at MD Anderson come down for the day just to go through the museum. And once, a young man was assisting another young man in a wheelchair with a rod and reel — we have a pond in the back of the museum for catch and release. He said, “You know President Bush is the one who did the ADA [the American Disabilities Act]!” It makes my day when I meet our visitors. I’ve met dignitaries over the years, too!
“Accidental” Volunteer Spends 25 Years Sharing Knowledge and Building Community at Presidential Library
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Janet Goebert. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
In the mid-90s, Janet Goebert, or as most people know her, Jan, picked up a call from a couple of friends going on a trip to the groundbreaking of the George Bush Presidential Library. They had an extra seat. Would she like to go?
Thinking of it only as a fun event for the day, Jan said yes. Shortly after, another friend reached out about going back as a volunteer, and the rest is history. Before his passing earlier this year, both Jan and her husband John, a retired engineer, volunteered together at the library. Since she signed up in July of 1997, Jan has worked over 5,700 hours!
What inspires you to volunteer?
I was a full-time mom. I had four daughters right away after I got married. When they were older, after my husband and I moved to Texas, volunteering was just something fun to do. I had worked with the Heart Association and the Cancer Association on sending out invitations for lunches and things like that. Just little things that were interesting. But this was the best thing that ever happened. It’s just fun.
Describe your volunteer role with the George Bush Presidential Library.
We greet people at the door, start films, take tickets and pictures, etc. Somebody will hand me their camera, and I will take a picture of them with whatever special guest is there. We’ve had Supreme Court justices, sports people and many more. I help out wherever I’m needed at events, too.
John and I also volunteered over at the Bush Foundation opening mail. That’s where the Bushes had their apartment. We both got to go to the apartment to separate Barbara’s books in her personal library. She had so many and wanted us to sort out some children’s books she could donate. Authors would send signed copies of new books they had out, so she had stacks and stacks of them.
On another morning shift at the museum, John and Janet get ready to greet guests./Courtesy Janet Goebert
What’s been the best or most rewarding part of your work?
It’s meeting so many people from all over the world. You never know who’s going to come in. A lot of people come to College Station just to see the library. They sometimes will have one person who speaks English with them, but sometimes they don’t. We always figure it out pretty well. It’s just a nice place to volunteer. And I learn all the time. Somebody will ask me a question that I don’t know the answer to, so I pick up more information when I figure it out.
Are there any guests that were particularly memorable?
A lot. I saw Mikhail Gorbachev. I didn’t meet him, but I met his secret service. He came into the library one day I was working. A lot of the Secret Service were fun. I would meet some guests personally, but often I would meet whoever was surrounding them, like the Texas Rangers who were with the Supreme Court Justice who came in to do research in the archives.
When the Bushes were up at the library a lot,I met most of the family. President Bush used to ride around the A&M campus on those motorized scooters, the things you stand on with one foot, with a single agent. His Secret Service agents would always have lunch catered to the library and sit around telling us stories.
Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?
They’re just getting back into having events they had to cancel during the worst of COVID. They did do the annual Easter Egg Roll this year. It’s so much fun. They also usually have Fourth of July fireworks but not this year. The museum and library were free all day, though.
There’s an author speaking this month who has a book on President Kennedy. I have so many signed books because I go to these events. When Laura Bush had her book out, she came up for a book signing and had a private event at the library in the rotunda before she spoke. She was very gracious. She made sure the caterers fed us, too. We were just pouring wine.
Why do you think it’s important for others to volunteer?
A couple of times, my husband really thought he would give it up, and I told him I wasn’t going to. I think he only took off a couple of weeks and then he said he was coming back. We did everything together. That was another thing that made it so fun and so easy. I volunteer because I like it. People wouldn’t be there if they didn’t enjoy it.I’ve made a lot of new friends, and I feel very lucky.
Nonagenarian Joyfully Volunteers to Spotlight President George H.W. Bush’s Legacy
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Glinn White. Read his story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Glinn White has been at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum since the beginning — the Bryan, Texas resident starting his volunteerism in 1997 before its grand opening.
Glinn, now 90 –years old, has since served more than 4,600 hours at the museum, helping to support its mission to preserve and make available the records and artifacts of George H. W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States. Glinn says he enjoyed President Bush and his time in office, and so when the library opened at his beloved Texas A&M University, it was an opportunity for the retiree to give back to his community and build new friendships.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I enjoy seeing the people come in and try to make their visit a special occasion if I can help in any way. I enjoy reading the material as well; I forget so much these days it’s new learning every time I go in.
Describe your volunteerism with the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
The library and museum promotes civic literacy and increased historical understanding of our national experience, and fosters a community of public service and volunteerism. I welcome visitors, introduce the orientation film, give out maps and answer visitor questions in the Oval Office, and also take their photos if they ask. In addition to my weekly shift, I’ve also helped with many special events including the Annual Easter Celebration and the I Love America 4th of July Celebration. I’ve got more event t-shirts than I can wear. I enjoy greeting and telling visitors what to expect in the museum.
Glinn has volunteered more than 4,600 hours at the museum, giving back to his community and building new friendships./Courtesy George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Share one personal story with me from your volunteerism.
Before the library opened were my happiest days. My wife had just passed away, and volunteering gave me an opportunity to do some things that were useful and beneficial to the center and to me. I repaired some items that had been damaged during delivery, and built and painted some items for the museum including many display cases using my woodworking and repairing skills. I made a raiser for a model submarine to sit on and when a carrier model came in, the antenna radar ray was broken so I repaired it and put it back on the ship.
Why do you think it’s important for others to get involved?
I’ve been so blessed that I think I ought to give something back.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your service?
It’s rewarding being able to continue volunteering. A lot of people have had to quit because of health reasons and I’ve been blessed that I’ve been able to do it all these years. I just take volunteering one day at a time and I’m grateful for that. If I’m lucky enough to be there at 100 then I’ll do it.
In one word, what does volunteering mean to you?
One word. That’s difficult! Joy. Just the joy of volunteering.
As a volunteer at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, Glinn White is helping to promote civic literacy and increased historical understanding of our national experience./Courtesy George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
What do you want people to learn from your story?
You have to take joy in volunteering. It makes life more meaningful when you can do something to help somebody.
What’s your favorite part of the museum?
The World War II section is my favorite part of the museum. President Bush served and was also a part of the rescue effort. On a personal note, I served in the Army artillery myself, I was an officer when I finished school at Texas A&M University. I repaired and built some things in the museum’s WWII section to prepare it for the grand opening.
Senior Volunteers Nearly 4,000 Hours to Promote Civic Literacy at Bush Presidential Library
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Joan Ledwig. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Joan Ledwig was walking through the Texas A&M University campus with her husband when they spotted a sign asking for volunteers for the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Signing up to volunteer with her husband in 1997, the two began to catalog artifacts for the museum. Joan fondly remembers this time with her husband, who has since passed, saying it was the first time the two College Station, Texas residents had served together. More than 3,800 volunteer hours later, Joan says the Bush Library has become a part of her life, as she helps to support its mission to preserve and make available the records and artifacts of former President George H. W. Bush.
What inspires you to volunteer?
It’s the people you work with that inspires me. You get fond of everybody you serve with and we do things together. Volunteering just makes you feel good.
Joan Ledwig has volunteered more than 3,800 hours at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum./Courtesy George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
Describe your volunteerism with the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
I volunteer every Tuesday afternoon in the museum. We welcome and visit with the people coming in and answer their questions. I also introduce the orientation film, give out maps and take pictures in the Oval Office. I assisted with the grand opening of the museum, and I’ve helped with many special events including the Annual Easter Celebration and the I Love America July 4th Celebration. In addition to my volunteerism at the museum, I have volunteered at a local hospice.
Share one personal story with me from your volunteerism.
There was a gentleman who came in the other day, he told me, ‘You know, you girls, you do so much here.’ That felt kind of good. Sometimes we might receive a letter of gratitude. Volunteering is a calling. I need to use a cane and live in a senior apartment, but when I come in on Tuesday and I see the people, I really am proud I have my Bush shirt on.
Why do you think it’s important for others to volunteer?
There are so many needs. I just really think everybody should do something they feel they could do. I remember when President George H. W. Bush first discussed “points of light” – I was so pleased by him saying that and starting the Points of Light organization. My service isn’t near what some volunteers have done. Their volunteerism inspires me to do more.
Joan pictured at the 2000 Easter Celebration (far right.)./Courtesy George Bush Presidential Library and Museum
What’s been the most rewarding part of your service?
My husband and I would go to many different events put on at the library. Seeing the Bush family (at these events), always so gentle and sweet, it was very rewarding to see the family and know what they did. President Bush sent a personal letter to me when my husband passed.
What would your husband think about all your years of volunteerism?
He’d tell me I’m doing a good job and he’d be there with me (volunteering). We were married 62 years. One time, a lot of people were quitting volunteering. I asked my husband, do you want to quit? He said, ‘Goodness no! I love this.’ And he always met somebody that knew somebody that he knew.
Embracing Personal Adversity, Teen Volunteers to Support Children Around the World
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Taylor Stuart. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Taylor Stuart’s dedication to helping children has resulted in thousands of hours of service and thousands of dollars raised by the 16-year-old Orlando, Florida student.
As a volunteer with Sunshine Foundation and more recently, Who We Play For (WWPF), Taylor connects with children from around the world and also closer to home in Florida. Recently embracing adversity in her own life to help others facing similar challenges, Taylor is advocating for a better future and health for kids in need through volunteerism.
What inspires you to volunteer?
It’s inspiring to see the results of my volunteerism. When the kids we help through the Sunshine Foundation write me a letter back saying thank you, or when I help kids receive EKGs through Who We Play For and we help save their life or help them discover an underlying condition. It means the world to me that I’m able to impact kids and be able to connect with them.
Describe your volunteerism.
As a volunteer with the Sunshine Foundation, an organization that grants dreams for children from all around the world who are terminally ill, chronically ill or severely abused and whose families have limited income, I do some of the following activities:
Sixteen-year-old Taylor has dedicated her volunteerism to vulnerable children around the world./Courtesy Taylor Stuart
Greet families at the airport who are visiting theme parks in Orlando
Provide tours
Host fundraisers, sell raffle tickets at the annual gala and personally raise money for the Sunshine Foundation dreams
As a volunteer with Who We Play For, an organization that provides affordable heart screenings to help eliminate preventable sudden cardiac death in children, I do some of the following activities:
Serve as a spokesperson to educate people about EKGs and advocate with local lawmakers to eliminate preventable cardiac death
Perform EKGs at events
You’ve turned personal adversity into service to others. Explain.
In 2021 I was diagnosed with a severe heart condition, and now am thankfully doing okay, but because of the low-cost EKG I received from Who We Play For, my condition was caught. A lot of people might have something happen to them and want to get down because of it, but as soon as I was able to recover from my condition, I wanted to tell my story and educate people so that their lives could be saved as well.
Share one personal story with me from your volunteerism.
I greeted a little girl who had been granted a dream at the airport, and she was wearing a sparkly jacket. She was the happiest kid I’ve ever met. She ended up thanking me later, but I felt like I should be thanking her. She’s had to go through so much in her life, and it made me feel so full. Taking some time out of your day can completely change someone’s life, and it makes me realize this is exactly why I’m volunteering.
Why do you think it’s important for others to get involved?
Volunteering is a very humbling experience and it’s very eye-opening. It’s really important to be grateful for what you have and if you have the ability to pay it forward, it’s honestly life changing for some people. If you were in that position you’d want other people to do the same for you.
As a volunteer with the Sunshine Foundation, Taylor is helping to grant dreams for children who are terminally ill, chronically ill or severely abused./Courtesy Taylor Stuart
How have you continued to volunteer throughout the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Sunshine Foundation wasn’t able to send people down to Orlando for a part of the pandemic, so I made Sunshine Packs with my mom. The packages were sent to current and past dreamers, including games and activities to keep the kids busy and a card.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
Appreciate the impact you’re able to make. Take everything very seriously and treat everyone with kindness when you’re doing so.
In one word, what does volunteering mean to you?
Grateful. I’m grateful to help people and of course, I feel grateful for what I have.
When you’re not busy volunteering or in school, what do you do for fun?
I am a very sporty person. I cheer, plus play volleyball and flag football. Once I get home I’m wiped out. I like to spend time with my family or practice my sports just for fun.
Teen’s Volunteerism with Light Up Network Fosters Intergenerational Connections
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Kate-Yeonjae Jeong. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Seventeen-year-old Kate-Yeonjae Jeong recognized a gap between younger generations and senior citizens, and is now using art to form intergenerational connections through service.
As the founder of Light Up Network, Kate is preventing elderly isolation by offering art activities, performances and positive messages to seniors, the youth-led organization spreading joy to more than 100 nationwide thus far.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I’m inspired by the joy volunteering brings others and myself. Giving is truly the best gift I could give to others and myself. It’s such an uplifting thing to do and as the quote says, “Spread kindness like glitter.”
Describe your volunteerism with Light Up Network.
As the founder of Light Up Network, I work with local and national organizations to establish events, provide artwork opportunities for seniors and work with local students on performances and activities with seniors. Some activities include a musical put on by local high school artists at a Houston hospice, and students who played live instrumental music for hospice patients. I also coordinate partnerships; we’ve partnered with organizations including Noah’s Houseand Houston Hospice.
As the founder of Light Up Network, Kate-Yeonjae is preventing elderly isolation by offering art activities, performances and positive messages to seniors./Courtesy Kate-Yeonjae Jeong
Share one personal story with me from your volunteerism.
I started this organization in 2020 when I was in 8th grade, and during our first event with Noah’s House, which is a residential center for disabled seniors, we did arts and crafts with the seniors. One told me they didn’t get visitors often and not many people aside from family came to visit. The person said it was so great to see me and asked when I’d come to visit again.
That experience cemented in my mind the positive impact we are having by creating artwork and expressing ourselves together, forming that intergenerational connection. One parent of a Light Up Network volunteer said we were possibly extending the lives of the seniors by doing these events. By going out in the community and engaging with people, you can share what you love with others and feel so powerfully moved by what you can do.
Why do you think it’s important for others to volunteer?
Volunteerism fosters a spirit of coming together. Without it, there can’t be a way for us to genuinely unite, come together behind a passion or cause and truly promote a sense of positivity that can impact the world.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your service?
It’s rewarding to meet every single senior I’ve worked with and light up their faces with smiles.
Kate-Yeonjae delivering handmade cards to patients at the DeBakey Veterans hospital./Courtesy Kate-Yeonjae Jeong
In one word, what does volunteering mean to you?
Joy.
When you’re not busy volunteering or in school what do you do for fun?
Partaking in my school’s newspaper, and I am very much involved with tennis. I enjoy trying new recipes and I enjoy creative writing and utilizing my voice to promote causes within my community.
How can readers help?
Please visit the Light Up Network website for more information about how you can help.
Teen Volunteer Teams Up with Prisoner to Reduce Recidivism Using Math
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Walker Blackwell. Read his story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Plano, Texas teenager Walker Blackwell says he grew up with a fondness for mathematics, so when he read a news article online about a convicted murderer named Christopher Havens who had solved an ancient math problem, he was inspired.
“Christopher had just solved a research math problem,” says Walker. “The article established (that) he (entered prison) with no prior background in math, not even finishing high school math. For someone to reach the level he did with the lack of resources available, it was just so inspiring, and I wanted to get other people that same opportunity to have a better success rate with learning like Christopher was able to obtain.”
Through volunteerism, Walker realized that he could help an underserved sector of the math community grow and flourish, and in turn, benefit the prison population as a whole. At the tender age of 15, Walker co-founded Prison Mathematics Project (PMP) with Christopher, a 42-year-old who is currently serving a 25-year sentence at the Monroe Correctional Complex in Monroe, Washington.
“(Christopher) has been very transparent about the situation,” says Walker. “When we were first getting started there were a lot of talks with my parents to make sure they were okay with it. He let me know his intentions over and over again. (His volunteerism is) not to make up for the incident, but to live the best life he can and to help others do the same after what happened. His transformation is also a huge inspiration in the continuation of our service. To see how math has transformed Christopher inspires the broadening of making math resources accessible to see how many people it can impact in the future.”
Walker collaborates with PMP’s co-founder, Christopher Havens, who is serving a 25-year sentence, by phone or email./Courtesy Walker Blackwell
The now 17-year-old Walker has only ever communicated with Christopher by email or phone, as the two, separated by more than 2,000 miles, collaborate to provide math mentorship to prisoners around the United States. As an inmate, Christopher had initially struggled to obtain math resources, something PMP is addressing by offering mentorship from members of the math community. The sole prison education system focusing on math, says Walker, PMP’s 450 volunteers have connected with more than 170 prisoners across 27 different states thus far.
“Our volunteers are located all over the country. They include math teachers or professors, or someone who has a good understanding of the subject. The mentors come up with customized lessons they then mail to the inmate they are paired with. Multiple tutors are sometimes paired with one inmate because the communication system takes so long. The inmate will respond back to those lessons by mail.”
According to Walker, PMP provides increased knowledge for program participants in addition to instilling the idea of community and culture, establishing networks to help empower the prisoners to self-rehabilitate through the engagement of mathematics. The rewards of the program extend even beyond release for participants, as staying in touch with individuals who have gone through the program and since been released helps to maintain that sense of community and help to reduce the rate of recidivism, says Walker.
“About a year and a half after we’d started (PMP), we received an email after a participant went through the program outlining how as a kid, he went through the foster system and didn’t have a sense of belonging, and thus ended up in the prison system. After many attempts to find education, he found our organization and found this was something that could give him hope for a better future and a life even after prison. When I first read the email, I started tearing up, because it showed that everything we’d worked for, if nothing else came out of it, I think it would have been worth it to stop right there.”
Part of Walker’s service fights stereotypes about prisoners and their characters, he says, many of whom have more in common with an individual on the outside than people realize. His dedication to changing hearts and minds, says Walker’s co-founder, Christopher, who also serves as executive director of the organization, is not only changing life for incarcerated individuals, but also inspiring community members around the country.
“As a part of our newsletter’s editorial board, Walker has made it possible for our participants (prisoners) across the United States to engage in meaningful community projects and contribute to society,” says Christopher. “However, as co-founder, he has inspired teenage and young adults to become community minded and to do their part in changing the ‘shape’ of justice in prisons.”
Walker’s service journey has been a unique one, but he maintains that the enlightening and eye-opening lessons from his experience can be applied to any volunteerism.
“Even if you feel it’s too early or too late to give back, it’s not. Just ask. In this case, I had emailed a number of people before finding Christopher’s email. Having not spoken to a prisoner before, I had no idea what it’d be like to talk to him. Starting this organization, the whole idea of being successful has taught me that the worst thing (someone) can say is no, and the benefits can far exceed the detriments.”
Foster Mom Volunteers Time and Talent to Support Foster Families in Her Community
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Monique Zantop. Read her story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Monique Zantop of Jackson, Michigan, accepts donations through the nonprofit organization Birthbrite Foster Closet. She and her sister spend hours putting together bags of clothing, basic need items and comfort items for children entering foster care. They host events and make arrangements to deliver the items to the children so they have things of their own.
Monique volunteers anytime it’s needed, day or night. She goes out of her way to be a support to the youth in care. Monique always says, “All of these ‘littles’ will someday grow up and they will be the adults. Do we want them to feel overlooked and angry, or do we want them to know they are seen, loved, worthy and cared for?”
Her determination to keep volunteering and showing up for kids in her community is incredibly inspiring. Read on about what motivates Monique to keep engaging with foster families in her area.
Describe your volunteer role with Birthbrite Foster Closet.
My role is to help get items that children in foster care need, and to the families that serve them. So sometimes this looks like making deliveries, dropping things off at people’s houses, or sometimes going out and purchasing items if someone’s provided funds but maybe there’s a transportation barrier. So really anything that fills in the gaps of what’s needed to get items to the foster children and families. Some weeks we might not see any children, other weeks we see 10, but it averages out to be about 4 to 7 children per week.
Why are you passionate about this cause in particular?
I’ve been a foster parent myself and there’s a general idea that people sign up to become foster parents and that they shouldn’t have any needs or complaints. That’s just untrue. I really want to be a support for the families that are serving children to make sure that everyone has their basic human needs. Everyone deserves dignity.
Monique Zantop serves as the chief executive officer at Birthbrite Foster Closet in Jackson, Michigan./Courtesy Monique Zantop
I’ve adopted two children from foster care, and feel that everyone deserves a chance to have what they need so they can be the best version of themselves. I became a foster parent in the last decade, but have been doing volunteer work through the Birthbrite Foster Closet for the past three years. We got started during the pandemic, so everything we were doing was low-contact or no-contact service.
Can you share a rewarding moment from your volunteer work?
Recently, we had a foster family come in and they needed a few items for an emergency placement they took. They went into it knowing that the child would only stay with them for maybe a week to 10 days and they just needed pants, a sweatshirt, a jacket and a few other items. While the child was there, I got to meet and interact with the child, and the child took an interest in a particular toy. But because the family knew the child wouldn’t be there for very long, they left without the toy.
In the meantime, another family contacted me and they were really nervous letting me know they were going to be accepting their very first foster placement. They shared some of their needs and wanted some advice on what kind of items they could possibly use. Long story short, I was able to connect the pieces without anyone sharing any additional information, and realized the child I had just met was going to be going to the other family who was anxiously awaiting their first placement. So while getting things ready for them to drop off, I was able to put that particular toy in there that the child had had their eye on.
Of course, that was awesome. It’s scary to be a child who just went to a new home temporarily and is now headed to another home with strangers, but to be a key person who had the role in meeting the child and getting the child the item they really wanted was so rewarding. We love that we get to be the consistent people in some of these children’s lives, despite them moving from place to place. Birthbrite Foster Closet is really about being an identified, safe place for the kids in care. For us to get to know them and get to understand them is an honor.
Why do you think it’s important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
I think everyone has something they’re passionate about and everyone serves a purpose. If we can all focus on what we’re passionate about and what we’re driven to do, it can really help benefit everyone in our community, even worldwide. If everyone focuses on their passion, I think we’d have a much kinder community and world and it would benefit everyone.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
There’s no volunteerism or task that’s too small or unimportant. Everything matters; it all adds up. One act of kindness makes a difference for someone, even if you can’t see it in that moment. Those are the things that stick with people. Even the smallest task can really have a ripple effect.
How can readers help?
The best way is to visit our website to see any needed donations. We’re also on Instagram, which is a quick and easy way to keep up with things.
17-Year-Old Environmentalist Rallies Community Involvement in Sustainability Projects
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Jae Yoon. Read his story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Jae Yoon was a freshman at when everything shut down for COVID-19. Wanting to “thrive, not just survive,” he used the pandemic lockdown to hone his golf skills and practice standardized testing. He also maintained his role as a longtime volunteer at Love a Sea Turtle (LAST).
Jae volunteers across several organizations, including a program he started six years ago called Better Bag Solutions. It’s a project that fights against single-use plastic that has led him to donate over 2,500 reusable alternatives in his community. Last summer, he created and directed Wilson on Water Golf Camp and Clinic, a program offering free instruction to underserved kids. Now 17, he balances college applications, competitive golf, and applying for colleges with initiatives to preserve the environment and educate youth on sustainability practices as a Riley’s Way Call for Kindness Fellow.
What inspires you to volunteer?
On November 10, 2016, I was nine or 10. I was riding along the highway after a recent hurricane, and I saw trees decorated like Christmas trees with colored plastic bags. I remember thinking to myself, “Is anybody going to come and pick this up? Or is it just going to stay there and kill the environment?” I felt like I should do something.
So, I went to the Greenville City Council, and I delivered a speech encouraging them to raise their political will and courage. I coined the phrase “Keep the green in Greenville.” Since then, I’ve used that motto to work towards that goal. Recently, I partnered with River Park North and Metallixto host the Keeping the Green in Greenville Day in honor of plastic-free July. It was really exciting to see the City follow my lead and take appropriate action towards environmental conservancy.
Jae Yoon has donated over 2,500 reusable alternatives to single-use plastics through his initiative, Better Bag Solutions./Courtesy Jae Yoon
Describe your volunteerism.
Love a Sea Turtle is an ocean and environmental conservancy awareness group. About 18 years ago, the founder of the organization, a young girl, felt inspired to raise money for a sea turtle hospital, so she decided to bake cookies and sell coffee. Over time, it’s become much larger, and now it’s a completely youth-led organization with a few changes. We say “love a sea turtle,” but we actually don’t work with sea turtles, because you do have to be over the age of 18 to directly work with them in North Carolina. We turned it into Leadership Advocacy Service Training. LASD. And I’ve been a member and a volunteer for about eight years.
I’ve been a founder of my own organization or project for six years. I am the North Carolina representative for National Youth Council Project Green Schools and an ambassador for the FXB Climate Advocates program. And I’m also the co-founder of Plastic-Free NC. All of these are promoting the same message and work towards the same goal.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
When I started this at a young age, environmental and ocean conservancy wasn’t seen as valuable. No one understood why it is important to put in effort. Over the years, I’ve seen a change in people’s perspectives. They’ve started to understand why it’s important to take care of the planet, and I’ve seen more conservation efforts. It’s really refreshing, especially with the Keep the Green in Greenville Day. It was very rewarding to see the public take action when I’ve been pushing it for years.
What are a couple of easy things everyone can do to help the environment?
First, you can skip the straw at the restaurants. That‘s the easiest way to reduce the amount plastic waste going in our landfills. Second, bring your own water bottle. There are refillable water stations everywhere now. Bringing your own reusable bag to grocery stores is also a good habit, but it’s important to use that bag over and over again to be net positive for the environment.
Are there any future partnerships, programs, or events that you are excited about?
For Love a Sea Turtle, we have we have a Garden Work Day coming up. LAST covers a broad scope. One of the programs is called the Community for Environmental Sustainability. Their focus is the regular maintenance of a Greenville communal garden and orchard near the ECU campus. Most—if not all—of the produce that grows there is donated to a local food kitchen or charity event. We’re proud of that.
Why do you think it’s important for others to give back to or be involved in their community?
I really believe in the idea that youth can change the world. I think a youth voice goes a longer way than people imagine. I feel like everyone should take action now instead of kicking the can further down the road. Getting involved helps us gain an idea of what we can do as a community and influence others around us.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
I think you should always fight for what you believe in. I think you should stand up for what is truly important to you and not listen to anyone else. There have been times I’ve spoken to a high-ranking public representative or government official that just turned down or ignored my requests or ideas, and it took persistence to make change in my hometown. I’m just barely scratching the surface, but eventually, good things will come if you keep on going.
