VOLUNTEER OF THE WEEK
Each week, the Volunteer Center of Greensboro profiles an outstanding volunteer in the community. The profile is printed in the News & Record, People & Places section, each Sunday and airs on WFMY-News 2 noon news broadcast each Wednesday.
If your agency or school would like to nominate
someone as a Volunteer of the Week, please call
the Volunteer Center at 373-1633,
e-mail janinegriffin@volunteergso.org.
May 16
Alan Oakley and Steve Resciniti
Relay for Life
Alan Oakley (left) and Steve Resciniti are co-chairs of the Relay for Life, which begins at 6 p.m. Friday, May 21 and ends 10 a.m. Saturday at Page High School.
What they do:
"We never know when the next dollar we raise will be the one that funds the cure for cancer," said Alan Oakley, co-chair for Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society's annual fundraiser.
Personal tragedy brought Oakley and Resciniti together as volunteers. Oakley's sister, Teresa, died this past January, and Resciniti lost both his wife, Ann, and his father to cancer.
"When my father was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, I didn't even know what the word 'oncologist' meant," said Resciniti.
"I was filled with anger and a sense of helplessness. When Ann was diagnosed at the same time, I decided that I'd have to become educated so we could understand what we were challenged with."
Oakley also turned his anger into something positive by joining the thousands of volunteers who work for a cure. "Cancer is very scary. You can let it overwhelm or you can try to do something about it," he said.
This is the second year Oakley and Resciniti have been co-chairs for Relay for Life, a two-day celebration of life to honor cancer survivors and remember those who have died. On Friday, May 21, Greensboro will join more than 4,000 communities across the country for this two-day event, which last year raised $273 million dollars nationally for the American Cancer Society.
Why they do it:
"I don't want to see anybody go through what my family did. I became so tired of the 'cancer' word that I came up with what I call the three C's: Committed to Conquering Cancer. I tried to take a word I was totally mad at and frustrated with and turn it into what I can do to make a difference for other people," said Resciniti.
It was difficult for Oakley to serve as co-chair this year since his sister died only five months ago. "Teresa hated to hear the words that someone 'lost their battle to cancer.' She'd be upset if I didn't help this year because she was always so positive. I realized the best way to honor her is to move forward," he said.
One of the special moments of the event is the lighting of 4,000 luminaries, each bearing the name of someone who died of cancer. This year, some of those lights will spell out the word 'courage,' and each luminary in that word will be dedicated to Oakley's sister.
"You can hear the awe in the crowd when the luminaries are lit," added Resciniti. "It's a moment to remember and it brings us all together. The heartache of losing a loved one is so instrumental in our lives, but I don't consider my work as a failure because we haven't yet cured cancer. We did what we could to prolong my wife's life and give her a very good quality of life. I'm working now to give hope to the next person."
What they tell others:
"Every time we hear of a cancer breakthrough, we take just a little bit of credit, and we tell everyone who volunteers here to be proud," said Oakley.
"But the American Cancer Society needs volunteers in order to put every available dollar toward education, advocacy, services, and research," added Resciniti. "When Ann was living with cancer, all these played key roles in how we were able to deal with her disease, and that's why I made the personal commitment to volunteer."
"People say volunteering is a sacrifice," added Oakley, "but I think it's really selfishness that makes you want to serve. You get such pleasure and satisfaction when you volunteer, especially when you work with positive people in a positive atmosphere. Teresa and Ann did so much to help others that we have a lot to live up to. Steve and I are being pushed to do everything we can."
Want to help? Join the Relay for Life. The event begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 21 and ends at 10 a.m. the next day and will be held at the Page High School track (201 Alma Pinnix Drive, Greensboro).
There'll be lots of entertainment, food, and activities for adults and kids.
Special events:
Friday, May 21 at 7 p.m.: Survivor's lap.
If you're a cancer survivor, we'd like to invite you to join us. Please call the American Cancer Society at 834-0844 so we know you're coming and can honor you.
Friday, May 21 at 9 p.m. Luminary ceremony to honor those we've lost.
May 9
Haywood Galloway
National Youth Service Day
What he does:
At first, Haywood Galloway thought making blankets was "a girl's job," but when he started thinking about the children who would be receiving them, he changed his mind.
"It's good to do things for children who have problems in their lives because they're more important than us," he said.
Galloway and 150 other Guilford County high-school volunteers came together on Friday, April 23 to make blankets and complete other service projects as part of National Youth Service Day. Students with and without disabilities worked side-by-side on a number of projects to benefit nonprofit agencies in the community. Partnership FIVE (Fostering Inclusive Volunteer Efforts) and the Volunteer Center of Greenboro coordinated the event.
The day is perhaps more appropriately called International Youth Service Day because more than 22 million young people in 150 countries around the world join forces to serve their communities and learn the importance of volunteering. In the US, the project is sponsored by the national Points of Light Foundation.
This is the second year Guilford County has participated in the program. A team of UNCG students from the Recreation Parks & Tourism Department served as the planning committee and led activities.
Galloway and his fellow students made blankets for Project Linus, which provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill and facing a crisis in their lives; centerpieces for seniors' dining tables at Heritage Greens; and decorative plates for the Mental Health Association in Greensboro.
They also planted flowers at Bur-Mil Park, made cards for seniors receiving groceries through the Servant Center, and a mailing for the Mental Health Association.
Why he does it:
A senior at Page High School, Galloway is an old hand at making fleece no-sew blankets. He and his classmates spend two hours a week making them. He even teaches other students the technique. He's worked so hard that he can't remember how many blankets he's made.
It's special to spend a day with other teens doing volunteer work. "It's good to see old friends you knew from elementary and middle school. They look so different. It's also good to work with people you never knew before. I've made a lot of new friends," Galloway said.
What he tells others:
"My dad tells me he's really proud of what I do, and he tells me to keep it up. It makes me feel good inside so I hope I can keeping doing it when I graduate," said Galloway, who plans to attend GTCC in the fall and study business management.
"It's really up to each of us" to help each other.
If youd like to volunteer with Partnership FIVE, call Kim Miller at 333-4480, e-mail .
May 2
Mary Albright
Mental Health Association in Greensboro
Mary Albright (left) and Chris Spence enjoy browsing local bookstores and sharing their love of reading.
What she does:
Mary Albright's always been surrounded by men. She grew up with three older brothers and has four grown sons. What she didn't have was a sister -- until she met Chris Spence through the Compeer program at the Mental Health Association in Greensboro.
"When I first met Mary, I knew I wanted to be friends with her," remembered Spence. What she didn't know was how much the two had in common. Turns out, they're both registered nurses, have served as volunteers in their community, and enjoy the same interests of reading, walking, and bird watching.
"To me, Chris is my sister. I'm always so uplifted when I spend time with her," said Albright, who's been instrumental in helping Spence overcome the isolation and loneliness often associated with mental illness. Through their friendship, Spence is learning how to express herself and to become more independent.
"Two years ago, I didn't have any friends except my husband, who was also my caretaker. I needed a relationship with another woman," explained Spence. "Mary has an openness and candor which I like. Those are great traits to have, and I'm learning from her."
Albright has seen great changes in Spence. "She's getting stronger and stronger. She stopped driving three or four years ago, but now she's back behind the wheel and more independent," said Albright. Spence agrees. "I'm getting a little part of myself back," she said. "Mary has seen me come from a place where I had a hard time communicating. I used to write her letters to explain how I felt. Now I can tell her what's on my mind!," she said proudly.
Why she does it:
Albright's has had many mentors throughout her life. "They set the standard for what you'd like to be or what you'd like to become. I try to emulate what I learned from them in my own volunteer work," she said.
The women agree that doing volunteer work brings people closer to their community and to each other. Before she became sick, Spence ran errands and forged friendships with physically disabled residents at Bell House "It's a good feeling to know you've done something for even one other person," said Spence.
"Both people gain so much from a one-on-one relationship. You can share each other's concerns and joys and really become friends," added Albright. "In some small way, I feel that I'm really giving back to the community."
What she tells others:
Albright recommends choosing work that suits a volunteer's schedule. "The flexibility of being a Compeer really fits my lifestyle," she said.
"Chris and I get together at different times of the day or even weekends, and we do things we really enjoy. We love animals and walking, so we went to the zoo, walked most of the morning until we were exhausted, and then stopped for lunch on the way home. What a great way to spend your time!"
If youd like to volunteer with the Mental Health Association in Greensboro, call Blair Benson at 373-1402, extension 206, e-mail .
April 25
Robin Williams
Peck Elementary School
Ben listens as Peck fourth-grader Juan reads a story. Ben's owner, Robin Williams, looks on.
What she does:
It's no wonder that Ben's favorite story is about a golden retriever who rescues a young girl from a riptide. Just like the dog in that story, Ben's a hero in the eyes of Peck Elementary students.
Each week, Ben and his brother Bailey snuggle next to the boys and girls as they read aloud in the Peck media center. The gentle golden retrievers listen attentively and without judgment or criticism. For their unconditional love, they're rewarded when the children pet their soft heads, scratch their ears, and offer a small treat.
When Robin Williams rescued Ben four years ago through the Triad Golden Retrieval Rescue program, she knew she had a special dog. She'd been reading about the Delta Society, an international program focused on using the human-animal bond to help children learn to read and promote wellness in hospitals and nursing homes. It's not just dogs who become therapy animals - the program also includes cats, birds, and even pygmy goats.
Ben had just the right temperament for the program. "I call him Velcro because he wants to be close to you all the time. He loves human attention," explained Williams.
Bailey joined the team a few years later when he was rescued after a December ice storm. "Both of these dogs probably would have died if someone hadn't found them. Now they're giving back to the community that gave back to them," said Williams.
Helping children become better readers is the easiest therapy work they do, according to Williams. "They just curl up next to the child and relax. That makes the children relax, too, and gives them a chance to practice their reading when no one's looking over their shoulder and there's no peer pressure. They can read at their own pace, and soon they realize reading is fun."
Why she does it:
Williams' six-year-old son, Dalton, is learning to read himself, which is one of the reasons why Williams is so passionate about literacy. "I got my love of reading from my mother, who just wrote her first book at age 84. I want to pass that love on to my son and to all children.
" Studies show that reading is the cornerstone to success in school. Being a good reader opens so many doors," she said."I'm so proud of my dogs, and I love showing the community all the good they can do. Being therapy dogs gives them a purpose in life and makes them happy. As my dog trainer says, our dogs are limited only by our imagination. With the right training and attention, other pets can accomplish great things, too."
What she tells others:
"I really believe God put these dogs in my life for a purpose. This is the way I love my neighbors, both the two-footed and four-footed kind, by watching my dogs help other people, especially children.
"Use your imagination and think about all the ways you can help others. The key is to enjoy your work, and you'll soon discover that volunteering does as much for you as it does for others."
If youd like to volunteer in the Guilford County schools, call Libby Cheek at
370-8355.
April 18
LaToya Mayer
Tristan's Quest
LaToya Mayer serves a hamburger lunch with the help of Payton Maxwell (left) and Chandler Davis, members of the Random Acts of Kindness Club at Peck Elementary.
What she does:
Spirit the horse is much happier these days, thanks to the children in the Random Acts of Kindness Club at Peck Elementary. Last year, the third through fifth graders fell in love with the horse when they volunteered cleaning stables and grooming horses at KopperTop Therapeutic Learning Center, a program which serves children and adults with disabilities.
As their service project this year, students in the club decided to collect enough money to pay for Spirit's food for a year. With the guidance of their club leader, LaToya Mayer, they created posters and collection jars and made presentations to each class at the school. In all, they raised $385.65. Club members hosted a hamburger lunch with all the fixings for Mrs. Faucette's and Mrs. Seagraves' fifth-grade classes, which raised the most.
The Random Acts of Kindness Club hosted a hamburger lunch to thank the fifth-graders in Ms. Faucette's and Ms. Seagrave's classes for raising the most money to help Spirit.
The Random Acts of Kindness Club is sponsored by Tristan's Quest, an agency dedicated to improving the lives of children and adolescents with behavioral or emotional disorders. Approximately 40 students at Peck, Sternberger, and General Greene Elementary Schools participate in the program.
A UNCG student majoring in human development and family studies, Mayer chose to volunteer for Tristan's Quest to complete a school internship, but she continued to volunteer beyond her class requirements "because of the genuine love and concern the people at Tristan's Quest have in teaching others to be kind."
Spirit, the horse, helps children and adults with disabilities at KopperTop Therapeutic Learning Center. Thanks to the children in the Random Acts of Kindness Club at Peck Elementary, Spirit will have a full load of food for the coming year!
Why she does it:
As a volunteer, Mayer is teaching children how to be volunteers themselves. "It's important to be involved in community service early so you're volunteering for the right reasons -- truly wanting to help other people," she said.
Mayer believes it's especially important for children to have a strong voice in the work they do. "Many times children who are labeled as having behavioral or emotional problems are just told what to do and when to do it. They rarely have a say in their actions.
"The philosophy behind the Random Acts of Kindness Club is to let the children plan and organize their service and then get out in the community and see the results of the work they've done," Mayer said.
Jan Meier, the students' teacher, agrees. "Being club members and creating their own projects helps the children get outside of their own little world and discover how good it feels to help others," she said.
"When the students recite the Random Acts of Kindness pledge -- to work as a team, to help people around them, to respect each other's differences, and to believe in themselves and their ability to make a difference -- they see the words come to life when they do something to help others," said Mayer.
To the children, helping others doesn't necessarily have to mean helping people. "Spirit the horse is a living creature on this earth, and nature is fun and one of God's creations," explained Shaquille, a third-grade club member. Fifth-grader Tamikka, a member of Mrs. Faucette's winning class, agrees: "It's important to save lives, and I like pets. I feel proud, and I feel like a hero."
What she tells others:
"Everyone says it, but it's true that children are our future," said Mayer. "What we invest in our children is what we'll reap in the end. If you really want to get involved in your community, being a volunteer is a must."
Tristan's Quest needs $2,500 to operate the Random Acts of Kindness clubs next year at Peck, General Greene, and Sternberger elementary schools. To make a tax-deductible contribution, contact Dr. Jean Allen at 335-3188, And the organization is always looking for volunteers!
April 11
Eleanor Procton
Friends Homes at Guilford
What she does:
Every Wednesday morning, Eleanor Procton waits in the living room at Friends Homes at Guilford, guitar in hand, for her best friends to arrive. She greets each one by name, and they share a hug and kiss. When she asks how they're feeling, someone invariably says, "Better, now that you're here." Then they get down to the business of singing.
For 26 years, Procton has led a sing-along for the Friends Homes Music Makers, a group she started as a volunteer. Louise Nelson and Chip Wilson, two original members of the group, still come to share the music and friendship.
Procton grew up in a musical family. "If you didn't play at least one instrument, you couldn't be a member of the family," she joked. Her mother taught her guitar, an instrument she continues to love.
She plays old favorites, but she's also taught the seniors new songs. She even wrote a Friends Homes Music Makers' song, which the group sings to start off the day. If residents can't remember the lyrics or read the words, Procton encourages them to sing rhythms and just have fun. Those who have lost their vision sing from the heart.
Why she does it:
"What else could I do with my Wednesday mornings that would be better than being with my best friends?," asked Procton.
"Singing makes your heart feel good, your soul feel good, and your body feel good. Sometimes we can't remember what we ate for breakfast, but we can always remember the words to songs."
Procton credits her parents, who adopted two Chinese orphans, for teaching her the importance of helping others, and she's passed the tradition to her own family. She arranged for her father, husband, and sons to perform a special Three Generations concert for Friends Homes' residents.
"The residents have shared my grief and joy over the years, and I've been so inspired by them. One of my greatest honors was to sing at a resident's wedding. The couple both lost their spouses, met here at Friends Homes, and romance just blossomed," she said.
What she tells others:
"We shouldn't call it 'volunteer work' because it's really 'volunteer joy.' There's nothing better than being with my friends and seeing their faces light up with joy when we sing and share memories.
"Just as in life, it doesn't matter if you're singing in tune or remembering the right words to the song. It's all about sharing with other people."
If youd like to volunteer at Friends Homes at Guilford, call Sheila Dunning at
292-8187.
April 4
Jeanie Ray
Guardian ad Litem
Jeanie Ray plays with two of the children shes helped through the Guardian ad Litem program, Matthew, age 5 and Amy, age 13.
What she does:
Getting to know children and building their trust is a passion for Jeanie Ray. As a Guardian ad Litem, shes assigned to juvenile court cases involving children who have been abused or neglected and placed in foster care.
"The hardest thing is knowing that there are adults who have failed these children. Its just devastating to the kids. Showing them that you care by just getting to know them means a lot. Sometimes its as simple as attending a football game or just playing with them on the swings," said Ray.
Ray combines what she learns from the child and information she gathers from parents and foster parents, teachers, therapists, and other professionals who work with the child to create an independent assessment of what she believes is in the best interests of the child. Working in conjunction with Social Services, she provides an independent assessment so that the juvenile court judge can make the most informed decision possible for the childs future.
"I have such admiration for the children in our program. Theyve faced real barriers and traumatic experiences in their young lives, things that Ive never known first hand. I admire their courage to keep going, especially teenagers, when itd be so easy for them to drop out of school and give up on life. I hope theyll remember that someone cared and worked in their best interests," she said.
Why she does it:
Ray grew up in Madison, where her mother directed a summer camp for disadvantaged children. "I was 17 when I first volunteered at her camp. It made a huge impression on me. My mother and I still talk about those children and all the fun we had," said Ray.
From that experience, Ray discovered her passion. When her own three children left home, her empty nest made her realize she needed to do something worthwhile with her time.
"Working for children through the court system just intrigued me. Its not always an easy job being a childs advocate because you cant predict how things will turn out. But I think of each one of the children I help as my own. They deserve the best we can give them, so if I think a childs life could be enhanced by a service or program, Im right there advocating for that," she said.
What she tells others:
"My friends ask me why I work so hard as a Guardian. I answer, Why not? Kids really need you; they appreciate your being involved in their lives.
"People think just one person little old me cant possibly make a difference, but theyre wrong. One person can make a world of difference in a childs life. Every child Ive touched has given me something special, and that love keeps me going."
If youd like to become a Guardian ad Litem, call Patti Hanna at 574-4394, e-mail .
