This New Yorker didn’t let the global pandemic get him down. In fact, COVID created the opportunity for Dice to volunteer. Had he not chosen to serve others during this time, he admits to being “in a very depressive mental state.” Therefore, early on during COVID, Daisuke Suzuki, usually called “Dice” by his friends, took a hard look at his interests, knowledge, resources and … [Read more...] about A self-professed geek volunteers
Lifelong Servant Leader Serves on the Path She Once Walked
By: Angela Barbosa Imagine being at an appointment with your doctor and learning you have cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 1.8 million people in the United States face that moment each year. Sadly, many of them face the uncertain and frightening next steps alone. People with initial cancer diagnoses typically face a fast-paced barrage of … [Read more...] about Lifelong Servant Leader Serves on the Path She Once Walked
Harvesting Seeds His Dad Planted to Benefit Farmers
By: Angela Barbosa Growing up as a farm kid in northern Indiana, Vane Clayton had chores every morning and every night. Working the family’s dairy farm and spending big chunks of the summers helping out neighbors on their farms too, he loved the farming life. His philanthropically minded parents were both active in church and in a variety of local and state nonprofit … [Read more...] about Harvesting Seeds His Dad Planted to Benefit Farmers
Service in her School
Written By: Emma de la Pena Many can look back on memories in their lifetime and think about their first strike of inspiration. For Sassy Neuman, this moment happened in the 4th grade when she was watching a documentary on foster care children and the foster care system. Immediately after watching this documentary, she felt a calling to take initiative and find ways to … [Read more...] about Service in her School
Featured Volunteer: Jason
Listen to Jason, a husband, father of two, and a young professional, as he talks about the heart of a person. What happens to children after their court date? How do they move forward in a meaningful way? These are just two of many ways the Juvenile Justice Center impacts children & their families throughout Davidson County. … [Read more...] about Featured Volunteer: Jason
Volunteering: Not always glamorous, but always rewarding
Written by: Angela Barbosa In many ways, our May Featured Volunteer Anna Kate Roberson is your average teenager. She attends high school and plays in the band. She plays soccer and enjoys drawing, reading, and being around animals, including riding and grooming horses. Anna Kate also has an autism level 1 diagnosis. It makes mastering school subjects more difficult for … [Read more...] about Volunteering: Not always glamorous, but always rewarding
Offering Opportunities, Reaching Potential
Growing up with a sister with Down Syndrome, Elizabeth Graham Pistole has a strong passion for helping individuals with special needs grow and develop. Her first experience volunteering was at her local church on “Special Saturdays” to serve church-goers living with disabilities broaden emotionally and spiritually. “The first time volunteering . . . was way more … [Read more...] about Offering Opportunities, Reaching Potential
Just Go for it!
Written by: Terri Seydel It was an elementary holiday event that sparked an interest in her to help children in need. In 4th grade, Taylor Rowe and her classmates enlisted in the Salvation Army Angel program which pairs people with a child in need. She was excited to participate but surprised to learn this would likely be the only gift that these children received. Up … [Read more...] about Just Go for it!
Volunteering with Friends – It’s Just Fun!
Written by: Terri Seydel In many ways, Phillip Hyams is a typical American teenager, balancing his time between school, sports, and friends. He attends Brentwood High school and participates in the school’s sports program with the track, cross country, and basketball teams. Where he stands apart from other teenagers, is in what he chooses to do with his spare … [Read more...] about Volunteering with Friends – It’s Just Fun!
Giving the Gift of Time
Life experiences are often the best teachers and influencers of how we form our values and priorities. This has become powerfully evident in the mindful way that Fatema Chaklasi and her family volunteer within their own community of middle Tennessee. Inspired by their own modest origins in Mumbai and their move to the United States to continue their education, Fatema and her … [Read more...] about Giving the Gift of Time