“My son had surgery at Arnold Palmer Hospital in 2004. That’s when I found out about the Ronald McDonald House. Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for families with children receiving treatment at hospitals and medical facilities in Orlando. The Share-A-Meal Program provides dinner in a Ronald McDonald House kitchen, ensuring guest families have a meal after a long day at the hospital.”

“Our family has been visiting Cape Cod for many years, and we felt it was important to give back to the place we love. World Ocean Day was the perfect opportunity to help preserve the waters we enjoy each year by participating in a beach cleanup with the Center for Coastal Studies.”

“Not only is my daughter Zoya an athlete on the Special Olympics Team, I also thoroughly love spending time with the athletes.  If you want to see joy and the best sportsmanship there is, spend time with a special athlete!  It is so much fun to connect with the athletes, and they teach me how life is supposed to be lived…Do your best, win or lose!  The Special Olympic Oath:  “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

“My wife and I have a passion to serve the youth, not only in our community, but anywhere.  As Christians, that is Amy and my calling!  This includes serving students who do not have stable homes, so they have someone they can trust. We want to mentor the youth!

If I can play a small part in someone’s life that puts a smile on their face, then I have served my purpose!”

“Volunteering at the annual Memorial PGA golf tournament is a high-profile  event and offers several unique opportunities for anyone looking to make a difference in the Central Ohio area. During the tournament, I volunteer in concessions, where you meet other volunteers and staff from all over the U.S. The tournament raised 4.8 million dollars for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, and other children’s charities. When you see the results of a child’s care and outcome at a children’s hospital firsthand, volunteering for this cause for 3 days feels well worth the time.”

“My wife and I are lifelong animal lovers, especially when it comes to rabbits. We share our home with two of our own, who bring so much warmth and joy to our lives. Unfortunately, rabbits are often misunderstood as low-maintenance pets. In reality, they require plenty of exercise, a diverse and healthy diet, daily attention, and a safe, enriching environment in which to live and thrive.
The House Rabbit Network has long been a leader in rescuing abandoned, mistreated, and neglected rabbits. Beyond rescue work, they provide vital medical care, educational resources, and community support to improve the lives of rabbits and the people who care for them. I’m proud to support their mission and help give more rabbits the second chance they deserve.”

“Volunteering at FeedNC and giving back to the community I live in gives me a huge amount of Joy and is very fulfilling. FeedNC provides much-needed support to individuals experiencing food insecurity. We will all face difficult seasons in life and being able to help provide others with this basic necessity allows me to show compassion and understanding in a world that often forgets how important a trait that is.”

“‘If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you could move mountains.’
I chose to volunteer at The Mustard Seed of Central Florida because it has a long and deep personal connection to my wife’s family.  In 1984, my mother-in-law, Carol Kane, began collecting used furniture and other household items in her garage to distribute to families struck by misfortune. She called this initiative The Mustard Seed. After just a few years, The Mustard Seed became so large that it outgrew its original location.

The news of Carol’s work spread and caught the attention of Washington, D.C.  In 1992, Carol was one of four recipients, nominated from a group of 46,000, to win the prestigious Jefferson Award recognizing extraordinary achievement in public service.

Today, Carol’s legend lives on, and the Mustard Seed has expanded to three locations nationwide. Over the decades that followed, the Mustard Seed has helped more than 3,000 families a year make a fresh start in rebuilding their lives with comfort and dignity.

My wife, Susan, and I have long supported The Mustard Seed financially, but Vitex’s 30th Anniversary Volunteer effort has allowed me to serve with my time and gain a deeper sense of how this organization impacts the lives of these families right here in Central FL.”

“The Dream Center serves under-resourced families in the Central Savannah River Area. They make a tremendous impact on the community by offering both practical resources in the form of food and clothing, as well as counseling and spiritual support.  I believe that the opportunity to connect with people in need, and provide a “Hand Up” whenever possible, is one of life’s great joys.”