Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Sabrina Welch. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Sabrina Welch, a 17-year-old high school senior, has always been interested in science, often mixing concoctions of dirt, grass and water to “cure cancer” as a child. Her parents took note and—aside from preventing her from sampling her yard potions—directed her towards educational experiences to nurture her curiosity.
In 2022, Sabrina decided to use her passion for neuroscience to inspire other kids like her. She founded Mind Tricks to teach advanced neuroscience concepts through free magic shows at museums and libraries. To the delight of seniors, she also performs in assisted living and nursing homes. The organization has grown to encompass 150+ members worldwide with 15 chapters. Together, they’ve directly reached over 10,000 people through the program.
That passion sparked another when federal funding for medical research and education was cut in 2025. Sabrina used Mind Tricks to fundraise for PBS’s children’s media, and she founded PEACE Youth Educational Advocacy Organization, an endeavor meant to bring attention to the importance of supporting both. As a research intern for Chai Laboratory, part of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, she saw firsthand the difference research can make.
Using a podcast and public speaking opportunities, she highlights important issues and lifts up youth voices. While she would like to pursue a career in neurosurgery, she notes the need to advocate for policies that create access to healthcare before patients can be effectively treated and is open to addressing related policy issues before going into medicine.
What inspires you to volunteer?
When I was a kid, I was welcomed into the science community. The events for older kids would have minimum age requirements, but whenever my mom would ask for me to be allowed in, it was always a positive and welcoming energy. I want to make that more accessible. I don’t think there’s a lack of enthusiasm within the science community for youth to get involved. Youth just don’t know it’s there for them.
Sabrina (in blue blazer) holds a neuroscience magic show at the Cambridge Public Library to share the magic of neuroscience with families.
Tell us about your volunteer role with Mind Tricks: The Magic of Neuroscience.
I’m the founder and CEO. As the only magician in the Massachusetts chapter, I present the show. The biggest part of my role is scheduling. Onboarding chapters and teaching other people how to do the show effectively in their own region is a big commitment as well.
A lot of it is also social media outreach and managing my local team of 25. Prior to onboarding our new assignments manager, I created weekly assignments for members–finding new show spots, planning fundraisers, social media outreach, onboarding new members and more.
Now that we’re more established, we do a lot of community and school events. We do MIT Cambridge Science Festival, the carnival part and now the tabling event. We also collaborate with youth organizations like Moon Foods, which talks about how nutrition affects your brain. And there’s a large street performing culture in Cambridge, so I perform on the street, too. It’s one of my favorite parts.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
When I was young, my mom helped me find opportunities to explore STEM with two types of events on Eventbrite; one that targeted younger audiences and the other that was lecture-style for patients with a disorder or illness to learn from doctors and explore treatment options.
When I started my organization, I wanted to create a resource for kids to explore the advanced science that I found from the lectures but to experience it in an engaging way, like the kid events. Neuroscience is my personal passion, and I loved going to magic shows as a kid. Magic is really interesting at the neurological level. When you view a trick, the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activates in your brain, and it’s processed as a reward. When you pair that with a lesson, it helps with learning retention.
I created PEACE because of my work with Mind Tricks and seeing how important it is to support research, especially in fields that don’t receive a lot of funding or that aren’t as popular to research. It started with hosting a mile-long walk for peace in my community that launched a community-based fundraiser to support medical research. I spent most of my summer going door to door, building interest.
My mom suffers from chronic kidney disease. Whenever there’s a new article about an upcoming kidney study, it always brings hope to my family. I want to help give other families hope for a brighter future.
Sabrina (fourth from right, front with red sign) hosts and leads a Walk for Peace in her community to raise money for medical research affected by federal cuts and to advocate for education.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
It’s an unexplainable feeling to be able to see how you’ve had even a small impact on someone’s life. Maybe you’re able to spark a kid’s interest in neuroscience. My favorite thing is when a kid stays after the show to ask questions. Maybe you explain what neuroscience is to someone for the first time. It’s also just nice to add a little bit of positivity into someone’s life, like a magic show. Maybe it brightens someone’s day. This cycle of passion and science is consistently perpetuated, and I get to participate.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
I’ve learned a lot about myself and, of course, neuroscience. But I’ve also learned about people’s lives. I met a Nepalese man who leads tours of Mount Everest while street performing on his first day in America. He thanked me for sharing American culture with him and shared a bit about Nepal. I’ve also learned about logistics and how to organize and lead people.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
Founding an organization or being a leader in the youth demographic can feel very out of reach. I’d love for every kid to understand that everything they see other people doing is something they can also do. They just have to have the motivation and the ability to hold themselves accountable. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, you can start right now, and it can come to fruition in a beautiful way.
Keeping One of New York’s Most Famous Landmarks Beautiful
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Wei Qiang Liu. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Wei Qiang Liu isn’t originally from New York, but the Hong Kong native has found a home in Central Park. Since moving to the city, Wei has found comfort visiting New York’s beloved 843-acre park with his wife. While strolling in the park with her, he was inspired to jump in as a volunteer. Since June of 2025, Wei has volunteered with the Central Park Conservancy, an organization whose mission is to preserve and celebrate Central Park as a sanctuary from the pace and pressures of city life, enhancing the enjoyment and well-being of all. In just the last year, Wei has contributed over 100 hours as a Landscape Management Volunteer, as well as participating in various additional horticultural projects. From removing weeds and invasive plants to putting down new bulbs before the start of spring, Wei puts forth a positive attitude with every single shift he volunteers for. English isn’t Wei’s first language, which can be particularly intimidating.
However, Wei is always eager to learn from the other volunteers and improve his skills, and says he’s learning so much as he goes. In fact, Wei praises all the great people he’s met while volunteering, and mentions that they’re all much more qualified than he is, referring to them as his role models.
For an organization that greatly relies on its 4500 volunteers to keep Central Park shining for its 42 million annual visitors, the Conservancy makes it clear that Wei is a standout whose genuine enthusiasm is a shining beacon of example. Combining a dedicated work ethic with a true appreciation for the park, Wei is a powerful testament to the true spirit of service. His decision to put himself out there and participate in service is something anyone can do if they find that same spark of willingness.
WEI QIANG LIU, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY, SQUATS TO TRIM A FLOWER BED OF TULIPS IN CENTRAL PARK. /COURTESY WEI QIANG LIU
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
Both my wife Anna and I were so curious while walking in the park. There are so many volunteers here and there, working so dedicatedly to improve the space. We really appreciate their hard work and the warm-hearted volunteers. They inspired us with their actions. It’s a pleasure and honor to be part of them. I started last June, and now I realize, compared with other volunteers, like those who have volunteered for over 30 years, I am just a baby.
Tell us about your volunteer role with the Central Park Conservancy.
My volunteer role is horticulture, gardening, removing weeds in the summer, planting tulips at the beginning of the winter, removing leaves in the fall and cleaning ice and snow in the playground and sidewalks in the winter. I may not know all the English names of the plants and tools we use, but I’m just following instructions and putting all my heart into it. If I cannot make it one day, I will make it up another day. As committed as I am, I position myself as a follower, a facilitator, a co-worker and mostly a learner. I really enjoy my role.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
I truly wish I could someday celebrate my 30th volunteer anniversary with the Central Park Conservancy like Fern, with whom I had a long chat the other day. We were working at the same time to remove lesser celandine, an invasive plant, and she’s almost my mom’s age. She’s optimistic, positive, healthy, friendly and full of sympathy.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
There’s so much that is rewarding. You’re a change maker. The visitors’ satisfaction and learning new things. Every time I work, I explore new parts of the park. The Conservancy’s volunteer Christmas party and annual receptions are great and have awesome food!
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
I’m still learning! But I’ve learned the names of all sorts of weeds and tools. Also, I’ve learned a lot through the atmosphere and chemistry of volunteering by wishing each other good. The volunteers’ words and their behavior and their ways of thinking and their hearts.
CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY VOLUNTEER WEI QIANG LIU WEARS A PONCHO ON A RAINY DAY IN CENTRAL PARK. /COURTESY WEI QIANG LIU
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
Volunteering is sharing your love with the world, for people you may know, and then people you may not know. It’s being a role model for your kids and for the next generation. You’re sharing what you have and what you want to be. It is a mental and physical practice and experience that connects us more closely to the natural earth mother in the city.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
The Central Park Conservancy has a great volunteering system. I have enrolled in the Weekly Landscape Management Volunteering Program, and there is also the flexible program, corporate program and school program. Over the weekend, there are family programs where children volunteer with their parents, and teen programs to let youth practice independence, curiosity, raise awareness of social responsibility and do hands-on work. Central Park is a perfect platform that fits all kinds of people.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
It’s all about give and take, and by volunteering, we are giving. We are helping other people live a better life. Being an individual success while facilitating others’ success is amazing. If we can be part of other people’s success, that is a wonderful thing.
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Michael Panza. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Michael Panza will tell you he gets more out of volunteering than the people he serves. The clients he delivers meals to would probably disagree.
For the past six years, Michael has been a dedicated volunteer with
in Houston, Texas — first through the AniMeals program, which provides pet food to homebound seniors with animals, and then expanding to deliver hot meals and groceries to clients on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Between meal deliveries, a monthly pet food run, twice-weekly shifts at a local food pantry and an annual holiday gift bag drive that produces 20 to 40 generously stocked bags for clients each Christmas season, Michael estimates he gives about 20 hours a month to the cause.
A Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran who spent decades working in corporate sales, the New Jersey Lottery and hearing aid services before retiring to Houston, Michael also made good on some unfinished business in 2021, earning his bachelor’s degree nearly 40 years after he was supposed to graduate. He started volunteering simply because he needed something to do. Six years later, he can’t imagine stopping.
What first got you into volunteering with Meals on Wheels?
I needed something to do. Somebody told me about Meals on Wheels, and I was raised to help whenever I can. I’m a great believer that if everybody does a little, a lot can be accomplished. So I went down, asked them if they needed volunteers, they said yes, and I just started doing it. It’s very rewarding to help people.
Tell us about the AniMeals program and why it’s meaningful to you.
The program serves seniors who live by themselves and have a pet. For a lot of them, that pet is their companion — their world, in a lot of ways. Most of these folks are on fixed incomes, mainly Social Security, and they really can’t afford to buy all the food their pet needs. What AniMeals does is supplement that food, so the pet stays healthy and the senior keeps their companion.
Having three rescue dogs and five rescue cats myself, I know what that bond means. My wife and I deliver once a month — usually the fourth Saturday — and at the holidays, Dee will bake them a pumpkin pie or something, just to let them know that someone cares.
What does a typical Meals on Wheels shift look like for you?
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I pick up the meals and drive to each client’s home to deliver them. For many of them, it’s usually the only hot, good meal they get that day. I’ll interact with the clients, see how they’re doing, talk if they have time. You get to know people over the course of time — I see them every week, so I ask how life is treating them, see if they need anything.
Everybody thanks me for doing it, but really, I get so much out of it just knowing these people are being taken care of. They’re very humble and grateful, and what matters most is that they know they’re not just thrown to the wayside.
Is there a client interaction that has really stuck with you?
There’s one gentleman I deliver to who said to me, “You have an aura about you — you don’t know what joy you bring to me.” He’s got family, but he’s pretty isolated. He’s extremely religious, and even though things are hard for him, he always says there are people a lot worse off than he is.
That perspective stays with me. Any time I start to feel sorry for myself, I just say, “ Michael, 90 percent of the people in the world would trade places with you right now.” This work gives you a real perspective on life. It teaches you to be grateful for what you have. And it shows you that you can literally make someone’s day just by a kind word or a little extra effort.
Tell us about the holiday gift bags you and Dee put together each year.
The gift bags are for people who don’t have a lot. We get the list, go shopping and pick up everything on it — plus a few extra things they can’t afford, maybe a nice blouse or a sweater. We deliver them the week before Christmas so they can have something nice and know that the holiday still means something.
We also participate in our church’s giving tree. We’ll pick out five or 10 families and buy things for the kids because they can’t afford Christmas gifts otherwise. Again, if everybody does a little, so much can be accomplished. It’s really not that hard.
You also volunteer at a food pantry twice a week. What is that work like?
It’s at Christian Community Service. People who qualify for supplemental food come in, and we fill their orders — enough food for a week, depending on family size. Right now we’re seeing a lot of large families, three generations under one roof. The people are so grateful.
You just treat everybody with dignity and respect. I try not to be judgmental about how someone got to where they are — they’re where they are, so let’s help them. And hopefully that can be the spark that helps them move on to a better place. But right now, let’s get them through this so they’re not choosing between paying the electric bill and feeding the kids.
Where do you think your heart for service comes from?
My parents. They always said to help people whenever you can, and we were all raised that way. You always have something to share, no matter how tough things may be for you, with people who have less.
The military also ingrained in me that we’re all in this together. You help when you can. That’s how I guess it all came about for me.
Why is it important for people to get involved with causes they care about?
No child or senior should go to bed hungry. That’s how I feel. These are people — human beings. And the time commitment is so minimal. Even one afternoon a week can make a huge difference in someone’s life. If there’s a way I can help, I’m all in.
What do you hope people learn from your story?
That if you just give a little and help a little, so much can be done. You don’t have to change your life or make radical decisions. Even one time a week for a couple of hours — you can make a huge difference in someone’s life. And that’s the most important thing.
Never give up hope and always have faith that good will triumph and that people will be taken care of.
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Phillip Reeves. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
When Phillip Reeves pulls the cord on his chainsaw, he’s making a difference in the world. After leaving his role as a middle school teacher, Phillip was looking to find more volunteer opportunities that gave him the same amount of what he calls “feel goods.” Looking for a way to serve others and get out of his own head, he found a new appreciation for diving headfirst into the wake of disasters and helping others navigate their way out.
Phillip connected with Minuteman Disaster Response, an organization that deploys self-sufficient volunteer teams in the aftermath of disasters. Across the region, Phillip has been deployed to disaster sites, providing hands-on support to homeowners and community members facing unimaginable loss and crisis. After working with his hands his whole life, Philip also played a key role in developing and leading chainsaw training programs, helping volunteers learn how to operate a chainsaw safely and effectively in high-risk environments. When disaster strikes, Phillip and his team are ready to jump in and lend a helping hand. Thus far, Phillip has served in more than 40 storms, helping hundreds of homeowners recover from the unthinkable. This commitment can vary from teaching classes over a few weeks per year to three full weeks at a time in a disaster zone.
Because he loves the work so much, Phillip recently started his own smaller disaster response organization, Kosmopolite Disaster Response, which offers disaster relief services free of charge. While he’ll always serve with Minuteman, building his own organization will give Phillip the ability to design his own organization from the ground up. But no matter what he does, Phillip believes that serving others and surrounding oneself with other people is essential to maintaining adequate mental health. He encourages all people to find the motivation to step outside of their comfort zone, because it just might change their lives forever.
PHILLIP REEVES, A VOLUNTEER WITH MINUTEMAN DISASTER RESPONSE, CLEARS TREES AFTER A TORNADO IN TENNESSEE. /COURTESY PHILLIP REEVES
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
In 2021, I quit my job teaching middle school. When you teach, especially in public school, you get a lot of feel-goods from that, and my feel-goods were very lacking. I started to look for volunteer organizations, and I got into disaster response shortly after that. My first volunteer group was with Team Rubicon. I knew a preacher in Houston who had given them housing in the Houston area after a huge hurricane. I joined Team Rubicon, worked with them for a few years and really enjoyed it, and then came across Minuteman Disaster Response, and got even more involved with that organization.
What inspires you to volunteer?
I get a little philosophical with it. I believe that humans are one of only a couple of super-social species on the planet. You’ve got bees, ants and then humans. Dogs run in packs and apes have a bit of a tribe. But we are super social. I truly believe that we require other humans to be fulfilled. I think when you don’t have that connection with other humans, when you live a life that isn’t in service, it manifests a lot of negative feelings.
Tell us about your volunteer role with Minuteman Disaster Response.
My current role is the chainsaw coordinator. I run the entire chainsaw program for the organization. We have around 40 chainsaws and 130-ish qualified operators, and half of those I’ve trained myself. I developed the curriculum for our chainsaw safety program and I have started to develop other instructors so that the load isn’t all on me. I have three instructors, and I’m going to pass one more into service next weekend. If he passes the instructor course, then he’ll be the new instructor in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. I’m spreading them out on purpose so that they can train people locally to keep costs down, and we can keep on pushing safe and skilled operators into the field.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
My long-term goal with Minuteman Disaster Response is to build them a scalable chainsaw program that they can continue to flex as the organization grows. I want something that I can walk away from. I don’t want to do this forever, but I’m also not going to leave until it’s until it can run itself. I’m always going to serve with Minuteman. I love the organization. I love what they do. I like their attitude, but I don’t want to continue to be the coordinator forever. So right now, I’m building a chainsaw program where we can keep creating more and more safe and effective members that can go out and serve.
MINUTEMAN DISASTER RESPONSE VOLUNTEER PHILLIP REEVES CLEARS AWAY TREES AFTER A TORNADO IN ARKANSAS. /COURTESY PHILLIP REEVES
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
Disasters are really special in that although they seem very common on the news, they are very rare to the individual. Most people will never experience a natural disaster, and those who do definitely didn’t think they ever would. So they’re really in shock. No one trains you on that. No one really knows what to do. They’re very shocked. And when you can walk up to a survivor and tell them you know exactly what needs to be done, and they don’t have to worry about it, that’s a very powerful feeling. You can be the expert and you can provide it for free, because most people are not prepared for that kind of event.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
I feel like I’ve been doing it so long that I’ve forgotten a lot of the things I’ve learned, and I’ve just internalized them at this point. However, I definitely always had the inkling that service was necessary for good mental health. I always knew that was true, but I really know it now, and I’ve watched people’s lives turn around whenever they start giving instead of just trying to survive.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
You sleep better at night. It’s like I’ve been getting at: I truly believe that service is required for a fulfilling life, and if you’ve never tried, then you can’t experience the benefits. I would say that no matter how skeptical you are, if you just give it a shot, then I think you’ll see what I mean.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
I want people to give service a chance in whatever way it looks in your life. I want people to get up off the couch, and I want them to get off their phones and find a more fulfilling life, because it’s not nearly as hard as it seems.
Providing a Global Lifeline to Men with Breast Cancer
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Cheri Ambrose. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
For a long time, Cheri Ambrose has walked a path few others dared to tread, illuminating a corner of the oncology world often left in the shadows. As the founder and president of the Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance (MBCGA), she has dedicated her life to supporting a demographic that’s frequently misunderstood and underrepresented: men diagnosed with breast cancer. What began as a localized spark of awareness has ignited into an international movement, driven by her belief that no patient should feel invisible or unsupported.
Cheri’s leadership within the alliance is a loud, hopeful call for inclusion. Under her guidance, the MBCGA has expanded its reach to more than 40 countries. Today, the organization connects over 500 men globally. These connections are often a lifeline for those who previously lacked a community of their own, or were too silenced by stigma to seek out support. By collaborating with leading cancer centers and research initiatives, Cheri is working to ensure that the male perspective is no longer an afterthought in education or awareness campaigns, but a vital part of the global conversation.
Cheri often clocks 80-90 hours per month to steer the organization’s strategy and fundraising efforts. She frequently engages in public speaking to dismantle the persistent stigma surrounding the disease, as well as building partnerships and overseeing programs that deliver resources directly to families in need. For Cheri, the goal has always been to transform the “pink” landscape into one that is inclusive of every person affected by the diagnosis, regardless of their biology. She has successfully advocated for the inclusion of men in breast cancer clinical trials and has been instrumental in revising breast cancer bills at both the state and federal levels to ensure gender-neutral language. Her dedication is helping to rewrite the narrative for thousands of families worldwide.
Cheri is dedicated to supporting men throughout their breast cancer journeys.
Tell us about your volunteer role with Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance.
I do just about everything; I’m chief cook and bottle washer! I run the organization, basically. Were an online, internet-based, social media-based organization, and the reason why we do it this way is because we have men from around the world all on different time zones. It gives me the flexibility because I’m retired now, and I actually can do this full-time.
We support men diagnosed with breast cancer throughout their whole journey. We also support their care partners, and when someone passes, we stay in touch with their family members. We have three different Facebook private groups: one for the men, one for the care partners and one for those who have lost somebody. I post on there for birthdays, remembrances and anniversaries, plus whatever information I come up with on a daily basis.
We actually work with men who have been newly diagnosed to see if there are clinical trials available for them. We have a really robust medical advisory board who help us with second opinions if something is needed, and we can make connections with them. Most of them are so busy that if you had to get an appointment with them, it would probably take you anywhere from three to six months, but they will get on a call or an email and talk to these guys. That’s how committed they are. So I really feel strongly about them being a wonderful asset to us.
We advocate on men’s behalf with state and local government, and also on the federal level, for inclusion in any type of breast cancer screening bills that may be changing or being put up. Also, for anything to do with genetic testing, we want to include men in that as well. Primarily, we’re looking to change the wording in anything that has to do with breast cancer from “women” to “individuals.” That covers the LGBTQIA+ community as well, because they also face these hurdles. We advocate with scientists, researchers and medical companies for men to be included in the language on any research and on clinical trials, again using “patients” or “individuals” rather than making it a gender-specific disease, because it is not.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
A very dear friend of mine had been diagnosed, and I got a phone call from his wife. She said, “Brian’s been diagnosed with breast cancer. We haven’t even told our son.” I knew about three or four men here in New Jersey who were also diagnosed, so it sparked me wanting to do more. I started setting up Google Alerts to see if there were stories of other men around the world telling their stories. What resonated with me was that when these men told their story to a news outlet or in an interview, they felt as if they were the only man on the planet who had breast cancer. That just didn’t sit right with me. Everybody should have a support system. Being that there was so much support for females with breast cancer, I decided nobody else is doing it, so I’m going to make something work with this. Here I am, 16 years later, still doing it.
Cheri with fellow advocates at the 2025 San Antonio Breast Cancer symposium.
Tell us more about male breast cancer.
About 1 in 726 men are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. It is approximately 2,800 men just here in the United States. Unfortunately, because of no scanning, they don’t go for mammograms unless they find a problem. The stigma around breast cancer is that it’s a pink and fluffy thing. That could be no further from the truth; it is not a happy, fluffy disease. Because of the stigma, these men are going unchecked and ignoring signs. A lot of them are coming through as metastatic when they first realize they have a problem, because they find a problem in another organ that’s not working properly and then find out it was originally breast cancer.
The symptoms are exactly the same as in women. It could be leakage from the nipple, an inverted nipple or a lump—any type of lump, even under the arm where the lymph nodes are. If anything is swollen, or if the skin around the areola changes and looks like an orange peel or looks rough. Most times it’s not painful, so they think they just bumped themselves and they ignore it.
Men’s mortality rate with breast cancer is 19% higher than females. And that is strictly because of the stigma and lack of awareness.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
The rewarding parts are when somebody sends me a random email or I look on social media and the comments we get are, “These people really care,” or “This organization really is looking out for us.” When we get a little bit of praise. You don’t look for it; I never started this because I wanted a pat on my back—but it means a lot.
Each one of these men has a profound impact on me. I don’t have siblings, and my mother was an only child. There are no aunts or uncles; it’s just me and my husband. They actually become like my family. I got word the other day that one of my men, who is in his 40s and just learned he was metastatic, is in the hospital and has only a few weeks to a month left. It’s like losing family, and it’s hard.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
No one can do anything on their own. It does take a village. Even though I’m doing this by myself, I do have the support of other breast cancer organizations and foundations. I get on as many panels as I can to be the male voice, and they really do embrace our presence. To me, that’s one thing. My wish is that all these organizations could work together, because I’ve found that by working together, you get a lot further instead of just fighting for the little bit of money that’s available every year.
What are your long-term plans or goals you have with the organization?
My goal—one of my big wishes on my wishlist—is to have a CME-credited course on male breast cancer. We still have oncologists and techs at breast centers who, when they see a man, tell him, “I’ve never had a man before. I didn’t know men could get breast cancer.” That means to me that there’s teaching that needs to be done.
I would also like to see some type of annual check done on men. If someone were to do just a clinical breast exam on them annually, especially if there is a history of certain cancer in a man’s family, it would make a difference.
And actually, for it to be just called “breast cancer.” Females don’t have to specify, “I have female breast cancer.” I think everybody needs to realize it can happen to anyone and just call it breast cancer without having to put the “male” in front of it. That would be a huge step in de-stigmatization.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
Because if no one picks up a mantle and asks for change, nothing will ever change.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
You have to be passionate about it. You can’t just jump into something you don’t really understand; you have to have a little bit of background or knowledge. But it makes you feel good at the end of the day when you can make a difference in one person’s life and get them to smile. It means a lot, and I would hope others feel the same way.
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Kim Malone. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
A lifelong advocate for service, Kim Malone contributes more than 110 hours annually to causes in Texas, where he lives. That already impressive impact is amplified by his employer, RTX, where Kim coordinates volunteer events that other employees can take part in, encouraging the spirit of volunteerism in his workplace. In 2025, his commitment was also backed by a significant personal financial contribution.
The roots of Kim’s dedication run deep. Growing up, the local Boys and Girls Club was a sanctuary that provided him with the guidance and stability he needed to succeed. Today, he honors that legacy by partnering with the organization to host STEM-focused events. By introducing young minds to the wonders of science and technology, Kim is providing the next generation with the same spark of inspiration he received decades ago. Beyond mentorship, Kim is a constant presence at various local food pantries, and he works closely with a local church to organize monthly efforts providing meals for neighbors experiencing homelessness.
Ultimately, Kim views his work as a way to foster the type of unity that transcends individual effort. He carries with him the early memories of volunteering alongside his brothers, a formative experience that taught him that service is most powerful when shared. Read on to hear more about what inspires Kim to volunteer.
Kim Malone helping make food baskets to be distributed to families in the area during a volunteer event at Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano, Texas./Courtesy Kim Malone
Tell us about your volunteer role.
At Raytheon Technologies, now RTX, in McKinney, Texas, I set up multiple volunteer events that all of the organization’s employees and their families can attend. Setting up these volunteer opportunities is something that I do on a voluntary basis, in addition to my primary roles and responsibilities at the company. Additionally, I volunteer at several events of the local chapter of my fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Why is getting involved so important to you?
Two reasons. One, my passion for helping the community is personal. Growing up, the Boys and Girls Club provided me with mentorship and a place to learn, which is why I make it a point to set up volunteer events with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County. Second, my early experiences volunteering at church with my brothers sparked a lifelong dedication to service in me.
Community service through volunteering is a key part of who I am as an individual. I have found that creating and sharing opportunities for others to volunteer as well multiplies the impact and effectiveness of those volunteering opportunities.
What are your long-term plans or goals?
To continue creating opportunities for myself, and others, to do community service through volunteering whenever possible. I also plan to lead by example when it comes to participating in those events.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
The most rewarding part has been literally seeing the results and the impact that volunteering my time has had on strengthening our community. It’s been meaningful to help people who are in need, and encouraging others to make a difference through volunteering as well.
What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?
Volunteering has given me a sense of fulfillment in so many ways. It has also helped me realize just how truly blessed I am. I’m encouraged to continue volunteering because the need is so great in our communities. When I hear the stories of some of the people who we serve through community service, it becomes apparent that any of us could very easily be in similar circumstances.
Something else that I’ve learned is that volunteering is one way that I can pay it forward. I truly believe in karma, and that what goes around comes around! That said, I want to sow blessings to others with the hope that one day blessings may come back to me or to my family.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
It’s simple. The more people who get involved through volunteering, the bigger the impact on the community.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
It doesn’t matter how big or small your efforts are, it all has an impact. You may not realize it, but your efforts could have a life-changing effect on someone’s life. When it comes to volunteering, I tell everyone to follow the Nike slogan: “Just Do It.”
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Tasha Sport. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Every week, in a Midland, Texas animal shelter, Tasha Sport arrives to create hope and opportunity for animals waiting to be adopted. Midland Animal Services is an open-intake system legally required to accept every animal regardless of health or history, and that can make things feel overwhelming at times. But as a volunteer photographer, Tasha transforms 10 to 15 dogs each week into stars, with their own themed photo shoots aimed at showing off their disposition and finding a forever home. With backdrops, props and tiny outfits she funds herself, she captures each dog’s personality. These images provide a “beautiful first impression” that serve as a lifeline for the pups.
During her weekly sessions, which require 12 to 15 hours of shooting and up to 30 hours of monthly editing and labeling, she meticulously observes how each animal handles a leash, reacts to being touched or follows basic commands. This data is crucial for networking animals to local adopters and rescue partners. Her dedication became especially critical during the 2024 canine distemper outbreak. When adoptions were suspended and the shelter faced chronic overcapacity, Tasha’s photography became the primary medium for facilitating foster and rescue placements, allowing the community to see the dogs when the shelter doors were physically closed.
Beyond the camera, Tasha is the founder and coordinator of the Rescue Runners program, an initiative designed to break the cycle of kennel stress. Held on the first and third Saturday of every month, the program pairs volunteers with shelter dogs for structured off-site runs and walks. These outings are a breath of fresh air that improves social behavior and provides a glimpse into how these animals behave in home-like environments.
Tasha pours nearly 55 hours a month into the welfare of Midland’s animals. Read on to learn more about her mission.
Kade and Tasha during annual family photos.
Tell us about your volunteer role.
I’ve been involved in animal rescue for about 10 years, and it all started when there was a dog spotted out in a field that was my breed of dog, which is a Heeler, or herding breed. I actually worked for nine months to catch this dog. After that, I got really involved in rescue, but I didn’t like the drama that came with it. I was already dabbling in photography, so I decided the way I could help was taking pictures of those rescue animals. It grew significantly from there. I photograph for a majority of our local rescues, and then on a weekly basis, I go to my local municipal animal shelter every Friday and take photos of 10 to 15 animals.
At capacity, we can house 110 dogs. I take photos of 10 to 15 animals on Friday, and then those are publicized on Monday. It is a very quick turnaround time, and unfortunately, that’s due to our high euthanasia rate. I’ve been doing this for five years on a weekly basis for them. I’m often asked, “Do you feel like it’s making a difference?” and yes, I do. Some people have their heartstrings pulled when they see those animals behind the kennels, behind the bars. What my photos do is show them dressed up. It shows them sitting on a couch. It shows them that they’re able to sit. People relate with those as they see how the dogs could interact with their own family. We’ve never really taken any stats on how much the photos are helping, but I’ve had people say to me, “I came in to adopt this dog because he was wearing a hat.”
Usually, photographing takes us about four hours to set up and tear down, because each week at Midland Animal Shelter is a different theme. For example, this Friday, we’re doing “April Showers Bring May Flowers.” It’ll be a sky background and props of little ducks, an umbrella, rain boots and bandanas for the dogs. So, about four hours spent at the shelter photographing, and then my editing and getting them labeled and sent out takes about eight hours. Each animal I’m given has their name, age, suggested breed and sex, and their animal ID number. I label all those images with that information before they roll out to the city.
Why is animal welfare so important to you?
I was an only child. I was raised with animals. My mom passed away when I was young, and animals became my comfort. I had horses, dogs, cats, rabbits. They truly were my best friends, and that’s continued into my adult life. I currently have five dogs and five cats, and one child.
Why should people consider adopting a pet?
Animals within the rescues and within the shelters, I have learned through all this, are truly some of the best pets. Four of my five are rescues. They actually know you have saved their life. It’s just a different relationship you have with them. I have nothing against breeders; I have one breeder dog currently. My other one passed away, and she’s an amazing dog too, and she came from a very reputable breeder. But in this day and age, especially in the South, we are having to euthanize animals because there’s not room for them. There are not enough homes for them. There are purebred animals at the shelter every day, amazing animals. That’s why I advocate for the shelter animals. They’re not broken. They were just failed by people, by humans.
What inspired you to get started with animal photography?
A lot of it was driven by the industry. There are tons and tons of regular photographers for family and kids throughout. I saw a hole where there wasn’t someone for animals, and that’s what I gravitated to. I prefer to be around animals than little children or families. I’m more comfortable with them. I’ll photograph the most unruly dog any day over having little kids. I don’t have patience with young children, but I have tons of patience with an animal. That’s just a difference in personality. I saw the need for good images of these animals to portray them and help them find their family.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
I’ll continue as long as the shelter will have me.
What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?
Going into this, I had really only been around herding breeds. Going into the shelter, I’d never been around pit bulls, and I have truly learned they are some of the sweetest dogs ever. They get a bad rap, but truly, a dog from any breed has the ability to be vicious. This work has really taught me differences in breeds. I would say the biggest thing is the pit bulls, just how lovable and goofy they can be. They are great family pets if raised and socialized properly.
Then also, on a sad note, is the number of animals surrendered to the shelter on a daily basis. It’s horrific. People don’t realize – and I understand things come up – but animals are a lifetime commitment. You’re looking at 12 to 16 years for a lot of them. Where I live in Midland, Texas, which is the heart of oil and gas country, there are a lot of transient people coming in for work. They’ll get a pet because they’re lonely. Often, it’s the men here by themselves. They’ll get a pet when oil is great, and then when they lose their job, they end up dumping them or taking them to the shelter. They don’t take them with them. They move here for work and don’t realize how expensive it is to find an apartment that will take a pet or the breed restrictions. That’s something that we see quite a bit here.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
When I get the update that an animal photographed has been adopted. I’ve always said it’s a lot of time and a lot of money that I’ve spent on this, because I pay for all my props and backdrops. My deal is: if one animal gets adopted out of this, it makes every bit of it worth it. My photos are shared on the city’s social media and also one of our big local rescues. A lot of times, the owners will message me letting me know that they’ve adopted a certain animal. It’s very rewarding. During the photos, part of that four hours is we don’t just pull them out of their kennel and dress them; they get to run around the play yard for a few minutes. In that time, we learn a lot about them and the shelter uses that information to further market and help find them homes as well.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
To help support your community.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
Jump in. It is the most rewarding thing ever. I have a well-established business I started in 2018, and I have paying customers, but honestly, my volunteer work is what I enjoy the most and would prefer to do. Fridays at the shelter are the best. Getting to spend time with the animals, photograph them and get to know them better. Going to the shelter is truly the best day for me.
VOLUNTEERING COUPLE DELIVERS MEALS WITH A SIDE OF SMILES
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honorees Jeff and Paddie Trick. Read their story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Jeff and Paddie Trick are delivering meals, but they’re really bringing so much more to their clients. The dynamic duo wanted to make the most of their retirement and decided that helping others in their Texas community was the best way to pay it forward. When Jeff retired from his career, Paddie encouraged him to pursue volunteer work to stay busy. When she retired from her job a few years later, she was ready to join in as well. Together, the couple is active volunteers with IM Houston’s Meals on Wheels program, which delivers warm, nutritious meals and friendly visits to senior neighbors, ensuring they remain healthy, happy and independent in their own homes.
On Tuesday mornings, Jeff and Paddie arrive at their local church, which is about a mile or two from their home. They’re given boxes of frozen food that will accommodate each client for five days, but larger amounts are sometimes given in the case that an emergency is expected, like a hurricane. Together, Jeff and Paddie follow a strategic route, visiting their clients’ houses from house to house. At each stop, they drop off the food, but they also serve as an important point of connection to the outside world for people who often don’t have the ability to get out of their homes. Whether it’s just introducing Jeff and Paddie to their pets or chatting about their families, Jeff and Paddie serve as a vital lifeline and source of companionship for people who often severely need one. That conversation is a touchstone for each client, providing not only the nutrition and health benefits of a solid diet, but the emotional connection of true friendship.
Jeff and Paddie’s story of pursuing an active volunteer life is a great example of how being of service is a wonderful pursuit for anyone looking to stay active during retirement. Not only are the couple keeping their bodies and minds active, but they’re also helping others, and that’s something that fills them both with a lot of satisfaction. It’s an important lesson for anyone looking to help others, no matter one’s age.
JEFF TRICK (LEFT) AND PADDIE TRICK (RIGHT) DELIVER MEALS WITH IM MINISTRIES’ MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM. /COURTESY JEFF AND PADDIE TRICK
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
Paddie: Jeff had retired, and then, according to me, he didn’t have enough to do. I knew about working with Meals on Wheels, and so I suggested that he maybe look into that. I was working part-time, and my days were different. So Jeff checked into that.
Jeff: I trained and did a winter class, and then I started doing it in 2014.
Paddie: Then I retired at the end of 2016, so I took a class, and we did it together.
What inspires you to volunteer?
Paddie: I just knew that we had the time to do it, and it would be good for someone else, and it would be good for us.
Jeff: A lot of those people really need that. They need the food, but they also need the people talking to them.
Tell us about your volunteer role with Meals on Wheels of IM Houston.
Paddie: The people we volunteer with are all very nice. We meet up at a church, and we make a big, long line. And then Todd Rosen from Interfaith Ministries comes in a van, and he’s got all of his boxes of food. We enjoy getting the boxes and talking to everyone, and Todd. Then we have to hop in the car and take off. The instructions just come on our phone. We figure out what order we should be going in. The clients put in an order. It’s nice to talk to people.
Jeff: All the people are very friendly. They’re glad to see us and glad to have the food delivered. That’s rewarding. It makes you feel good because you’re helping other people.
What are your long-term plans or goals for volunteering?
Paddie: Well, I plan to keep doing it. The people are all very nice.
Jeff: As long as we keep doing it, it gives us something to do, and it’s an incentive to get yourself out and get going and get things done that need to be getting done. The people are all very appreciative, because a lot of those people really need the food, and that’s really important. It makes your heart feel good because you’re helping them, and that’s important.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
Paddie: Talking to the people. They’re just so thankful and nice about it.
Jeff: Talking to them, and they’re glad to see you, and they’re happy to get the food. And that really makes you feel good when you’re trying to help someone else. They need the food, and they need people talking to them.
What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?
Jeff: To be patient and be kind to people. Because sometimes, maybe they don’t have many people around them and they need people to talk to, so to be patient with them, listen to them, and be encouraging to them is showing that we care. We’re here to help them.
Paddie: Jeff’s a big talker. I’m not. So I’ve appreciated the people who are talkers, so we don’t try to rush or anything. They’re all appreciative, and they’re all glad we’re there, and that works out fine.
Why do you think it’s important for others to get involved with causes that they care about?
Paddie: People need help at different times. We have a big arboretum here in Houston, and when we volunteered there for about a year, helping to build trails, they were very appreciative. Our son was a Boy Scout, and he asked them if they needed anything done, and he made bird houses. It’s something that we know is needed for some people, and we can do it.
Jeff: It’s a way to help other people out who really need it, and you feel good about it. Paddie feels good about it. I feel good about it. And the people that we deliver to, they’re friendly, and they are very appreciative of what we’re doing by delivering meals for them, which is important.
What do you want people to learn from your story?
Paddie: Some things are needed all over, and surely you can find one that you can connect with and like to do. Just know that there are many opportunities out there, especially in larger areas. There are different places you can surely find something that appeals to you.
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Bekah Aisenbrey. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
As a dedicated volunteer social media manager on the marketing committee for the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE), Bekah Aisenbrey has turned the organization’s online platforms into a thriving hub of activity. Her work has been building a type of virtual porch – where professionals can gather, share and grow. By dedicating roughly 15 hours per month to crafting content and strategy, she has ensured that those who lead volunteers never feel they are leading alone.
Bekah supports the 1,055 organization members who serve as volunteer engagement managers. These professionals are part of the backbone of the nonprofit sector, overseeing thousands of volunteers across the globe. And when she empowers one manager through information and community, Bekah indirectly touches the lives of the countless volunteers they lead.
In fact, she became the narrative voice of the recent 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement. Stepping into the role of marketing co-lead for the steering committee, she helped capture the energy of the event, creating and distributing real-time content that brought the summit’s mission to life for both those attending and those watching from afar.
Through Bekah’s lens, marketing is an act of advocacy – something she is passionate about instilling in her two-year-old daughter. Read on to hear more of her inspiring story.
Bekah Aisenbrey, social media manager at AL!VE.
Tell us about your volunteer role.
I volunteer as a member of the AL!VE marketing committee, specifically as their social media manager. I started about three years ago, and in the last year and a half, I’ve become the social media manager, and it’s just fun. I get to tell the story of the work that AL!VE does. Lately, for instance, we did the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement, and I was part of the steering committee for that. We worked behind the scenes to share highlights or promote it. It was fun to see how we were able to have that event and share the great work that volunteer engagement professionals do, and just having a network and a place for them.
I think most of my volunteer position is really about working with the other committee members throughout AL!VE to promote the benefits of being an AL!VE member, networking for volunteer engagement professionals and trying to move that profession forward. As an organization that tries to strive to move the profession forward for volunteer engagement professionals, we have great resources for communities of practice within different areas, like healthcare, AmeriCorps, local associations and more. We have events, we have trainings for volunteer engagement professionals or those in the nonprofit world, we have different committees to be involved in. We have a lot of volunteers within the organization too.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
I learned about AL!VE through my full-time position. We are members of AL!VE and so I knew they had volunteer opportunities. In my full-time position, I was given some marketing tasks to do just because we needed to get some things done, and so I found a love for doing more creative tasks in that sense, and I wanted to really build on those. I found that their marketing committee was looking for volunteer opportunities, and so I signed up and got involved that way. I just found it really fun to learn from others, but also network with volunteer engagement professionals from all around the country and learn from them and be able to implement some of the things that I’ve learned through volunteering into my work as well.
Why is this issue so important to you?
I think sometimes volunteer engagement professionals might, especially within their organization, feel kind of alone, or like no one else is doing the work that they’re doing. And AL!VE really does provide that networking opportunity to learn from, connect with and ultimately see that you’re not alone. I think that’s a really big reason that I wanted to get involved, is showcasing the importance of volunteer engagement professionals and volunteers. The impact they make and how important it is to organizations to have volunteers and dedicated staff for them. Being involved with AL!VE just ties into the full-time work that I do. Being able to volunteer with something that I really enjoy was what enticed me to first get involved with them.
What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?
I’ve loved my volunteer role and I continue to enjoy growing in it, so I think just continuing to find new ways to tell the story of the work that AL!VE is doing and building on that creativity is my goal. Bekah working on AL!VE marketing tasks while her two-year-old daughter works on her own “marketing” project.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
For me, it’s been really seeing the summit come to life. I saw it behind the scenes – I wasn’t able to attend – but being able to see everyone share our posts and use them to promote that they were attending. That was really cool, to see our work being used to really get attendees there and share the story when they were there.
On a more personal level, I’d say it’s doing some of the work with my daughter, who’s two. She gets to sit there with me while I’m doing some of the work, and she gets to see that. Having her grow up seeing her mom volunteer – not only be a volunteer coordinator, but be a volunteer myself – it’s rewarding. She’s sat with me before and done her own little marketing project! She’s coloring a page while she watches me work on social media posts or create different graphics. It’s been fun to watch her see all of it and get involved in her own way.
What have you learned through your experiences volunteering?
Step outside your comfort zone. I don’t think that this is a volunteer position I thought I would ever do. Marketing was never my go-to – it was kind of thrown at me – and it was something I was really excited to do, but have learned to be more confident in over time. I’ve built confidence knowing that the ideas I have can be accepted or that they will work. I’ve learned to build my confidence in my creativity, and enjoy just knowing that not everything has to be perfect, but can still be helpful, useful and effective.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
Individuals who are really passionate and love the cause they’re volunteering with bring that energy and purpose to the work. And so it really is all about the passion for the cause. Someone who’s passionate is really going to put their all into it. I think if you have passionate people, then they’ll be more committed, and they’ll be there to really build the program that you’re looking to build.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
Find something you’re passionate about. Just commit to making the time for it. Any time is great. Following through with that commitment and believing in the work that you’re doing is important. When you’re volunteering, you’re making an impact on the organization that you’re volunteering with, but you’re also ideally finding joy in it. It has the potential to be really meaningful and rewarding for both the volunteer and the organization itself.
Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Doug and Nancy Payne. Read their story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.
Doug and Nancy Payne, 84 and 83 respectively, have been volunteering together at The Carter Center for more than 20 years, but they have spent their lives helping others. They met as students at Florida State and married right after graduation, Nancy in nursing and Doug in accounting. Doug served in the Air Force before venturing into software and, ultimately, banking. Nancy stayed home with their two daughters before spending her career in public health.
Both are lifelong learners and have spent decades volunteering with multiple educational initiatives for young children. But their service doesn’t end there. After observing a friend’s experience, the couple decided to host a Haitian teenager for 10 months through Childspring (recently merged with World Pediatric Project) while she sought medical treatment in the U.S. And they make a dish each month for a dinner with residents in a women’s in-house addiction recovery program at The Extension.
With their hands in so many initiatives over so much time, Doug and Nancy have become central figures in their community, lending their support to those working towards their potential and to an organization known for its dedication to making the world a safer, healthier place. They are undoubtedly points of light.
What inspired you to get started with this initiative?
Nancy: We were impressed with what the Carters had done after the presidency and in creating the Carter Center, which helps people around the world, and addresses voting and neglected diseases. So, we called. When we started volunteering, I had just retired and Doug did soon after.
Tell us about your volunteer role with The Carter Center and beyond.
Nancy: There was a wait list, but you could start gardening right away. So, we did. I still garden once a month. Sometimes it’s planting tulips. Sometimes it’s pulling up annuals or picking up sticks. We’re in charge of weeding the Pollinator Garden and working in the Rose Garden. There’s also a Japanese garden with a couple of small lakes and ponds.
We started doing events soon after. They send out a list every month of what’s going on, and we sign up for what we’re able to do. We welcome people, sign them in, answer questions, direct them from one area to another, etc. Just before the pandemic, Doug stopped gardening due to a medical issue, but he’s recovered fully and continues to help with events.
We helped with the funeral proceedings of both the First Lady and, later, the President. We were there getting it set up, during the ceremonies and throughout the whole process. It wasn’t as elaborate for Mrs. Carter, but her remains were there for a period of time. When President Carter passed away, volunteers stayed there all night, because many people came through to pay their respects. Two of our grandchildren helped as well.
Outside of our work at the Carter Center, we hosted a 17-year-old girl with an open cleft lip palette through Childspring. It’s a local organization that brings children over from developing countries who need medical care and finds a volunteer hospital and doctor who will help. They told us she would be with us four to six weeks for the surgery, but when she got here, they found an orthodontist who would put braces on her. So, she was with us for almost a year, and even gardened at the Center.
Doug: We taught her as much English as we could. And we’ve since visited her and stay in touch. Nancy: She’s in her late 30s now and getting married. We’re just delighted for her. Doug: We’ve also been volunteering at an afterschool program for kids K through 3 at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta for around eight years. Nancy: We help the younger kids with their homework once a week for an hour and a half during the school year. Doug: Everyone is also assigned a child for whom you might buy a birthday gift or give a Valentine’s Day card. Stuff like that. We were with one little girl for six years who is now a junior in high school, doing really well. We’re very proud of her.
Nancy: Now, we have a fourth grader who I babysat as an infant back when her mother was taking English classes. Doug: I’ve also been volunteering with Wonderful Days Preschool since 2004 as treasurer, secretary and chairman of the board. Raising money is the biggest function along with ensuring we abide by the rules for a 501(c)3. And I read to classes several times a month.
The school was originally one day a week but eventually expanded to five with bilingual teachers when the demographics shifted to children from Spanish-speaking families. We help them learn English and prepare for kindergarten. Nancy: At one time, Doug and some other instructors were teaching the mothers while the kids were in class. And there were three babysitters, including myself, for the toddlers and babies who weren’t old enough yet.
Doug (right) and Nancy rake, pull weeds and do general maintenance work in The Carter Center’s Japanese Garden.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?
Nancy: The Carter Center is so nice to the volunteers, and they have a yearly volunteer lunch and teas. We had a trip down to Plains to visit the Carter farm. The volunteers are also really nice. That’s been a pleasure for us. It’s been helpful to stay active. Doug: It’s also rewarding to see the kids we work with do well as they progress through their education.
Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?
Doug: I feel good about what I’ve done at The Carter Center, the preschool and the afterschool program. We can see results, and that makes me feel good.
Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?
Nancy: Go for it!
What do you want people to learn from your story?
Doug: Just jump in. Start volunteering. I hope they can see that we’ve made a difference.
Bekah working on AL!VE marketing tasks while her two-year-old daughter works on her own “marketing” project.