National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing, and encouraging people to seek out ways to engage in their communities. The following slides feature our associates that are active in their community and make giving back a priority. They are ambassadors of our Give Back value in their professional and personal lives.

1. NationalVolunteerWeek is about inspiring, recognizing, and
encouraging people to seek out ways to engage in their
communities.
The following slides feature our associates that are active in
their community and make giving back a priority.
They are ambassadors of our Give Back value in their
professional and personal lives.

2. “Volunteering provides me an opportunity to have a
positive impact. It may be a small impact – but it is a
positive impact nonetheless. For me, it’s the right thing
to do. I’ve been fortunate in my life – a great family,
rewarding educational and professional opportunities,
and unique life experiences. I like to think that by
volunteering, I’m able to enrich the lives of others.”
Austin Barger
Brand Campaign Manager | Easton
Volunteers with Jewish Family
Services

3. “Volunteering is important to me because I’ve been on the
receiving end. When my family lived in Louisiana, we were
victims of Hurricane Rita. I know firsthand what it means to
need assistance. United Way helped us through that difficult
time. While living in Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina, I
volunteered to gather and deliver items to the victims. We
delivered the items in superhero costumes. To see them smile
and laugh was so uplifting. Volunteers are the glue that holds
the community together. Every person counts!”
Tony Soliz
Customer Care Supervisor | Lenexa
Volunteers with:
• Big Brothers and Big Sisters
• The Live Happy Movement
• United Way

4. “I have been in situations where I needed someone to
care or to help me when I was down. If it weren’t for
those volunteers I don’t think I would have made it as
far as I have. I want to give someone else that great
feeling of knowing there are people in the world who
genuinely care. Giving back has many rewards, the
biggest reward is the new bonds you develop and the
lives you change for the better.”
Summer Obeng
Customer Care Advocate | Westerville
Volunteers with:
• Mid-Ohio Foodbank
• Ohio Department of Corrections

5. “I enjoy the feeling I get when I can brighten someone’s
day with the smallest of gestures. Whether it’s serving
food, donating blood, building a home, or just listening
to a story, each contribution I make not only helps
someone in need but gives me memories I can pass on
to my children. I hope that through my acts, others will
be inspired to do the same. When people come together
to help others, great things can happen.”
Nancy Cárdenas
Research Clerk | San Antonio
Volunteers with:
• Habitat for Humanity, Haven for Hope
• San Antonio Food Bank, Ride for Kids
• Wrappin’ with Jack, Texas Department of
Transportation

6. “I volunteer because I think it’s important to help
the most vulnerable members of our communities
gain access to the basic needs that many of us
often take for granted. I understand what it’s like to
need assistance and because of that I know the
positive impact the smallest gesture can have on
those in need. Volunteering in any capacity has the
power to help you look at the world a little
differently.”
Iris Coker
Strategist, Marketing Strategy | Easton
Founder, The Columbus Diaper Coalition

7. “When you help others you do truly get it back triple.
Helping others is more gratifying than anything you can
do to gratify yourself. If you’ve never volunteered before
start with simple acts of kindness. It is contagious. Your
small act will spread much further than you know. It
makes us all better and makes our communities better
places to live!”
Pam Richmond
Customer Care Specialist | Broad Street
Volunteers with Canine Companions and
Pelotonia

8. “I enjoy helping others in their time of need because I
hope there would be people to help me if the need ever
arose. Volunteering allows me additional opportunities
to be humbled. I find great joy in helping others and
being an example to my friends and family.
Volunteering is my way of giving back.”
Sarah Hoston
Collections Associate Supervisor | Coeur
d’Alene
Volunteers with:
• Coeur d’Alene Fire Department
• Coeur d’Alene Pipes and Drums

9. “Simply put, volunteering makes me feel good. There’s
no doubt writing a check to charities you believe in is
important, but getting out and participating is so
much more rewarding. Prior to working for Alliance
Data I was very naïve of the severe financial and
educational challenges faced by so many in central
Ohio. We’re fortunate to work for a company that
works to bring awareness to the philanthropic needs
of the communities we live and work in.”
Todd Prince
Sr. Director, Systems | Easton
Volunteers with:
• United Way
• Mid-Ohio Foodbank

10. “I volunteer because I like to help and be involved in the
communities. It’s important that we help others and I
try to get everyone involved. I tell them we can make a
difference if we spread the word and get out in the
communities. One of the hardest jobs I’ve had was
when I volunteered at the Denver Rescue Mission.
Knowing I was able to help serve a hot meal to over 200
people was worth the hard work. The recipients of the
meal were so thankful.”
Francine Benavidez
Customer Care Specialist | Westminster
Volunteers with Florence Crittenton

11. “Volunteering is important to me because I know that
I can help someone less fortunate. In December, I
built several holiday crafts from scrap pallets at our
site. These crafts were sold and we raised $800 that
went towards the purchase of toys for less fortunate
children. Just knowing that children woke up with
gifts brought joy to my life. For me, knowing I can
help others always makes me feel good.”
Bernie Obert
Print Systems Operator | Reynoldsburg
Volunteers with:
• Mid-Ohio Foodbank
• United Way
• Toys for Tots
• Firefighters for Kids

12. “Volunteering keeps me humble and makes me see the
world outside of my rose colored glasses. It reminds
me to practice gratitude every single day. It’s the
greatest feeling in the world when you support
something so much larger than yourself. Whether
you’re stuffing envelopes for an event or working
directly with clients, there is a great benefit to the
people, organization, and community.”
Betsy Hall
Senior Account Manager | Easton
Volunteers with AIDS Resource Center of
Ohio

13. “I volunteer because I love to give back and I feel that
leadership is serving. When I was in middle school, I traveled
to Mexico to help feed and clothe people in need. I was able
to play soccer with kids, and most of them didn’t have any
shoes. I ended up giving my cleats away and when I returned
from the trip I was able to start a small fund with my church to
raise money to provide 80 pairs of shoes for those kids. This
really impacted my life and changed how I look at what I have.
Not only does volunteering change your life, but it also
changes the lives of those you serve.”
Clarence Gutierrez
Customer Care Supervisor | Rio Rancho
Volunteers with:
• Wounded Warrior, Road Runner Food
Bank
• Joy Junction, Ravenna Assisted Living
• Community Connect, YWCA Women’s
Veterans

14. “Volunteering is important to me because I feel blessed
to have what I have. I love helping people get what they
need and don’t have. It gives me satisfaction knowing
that I am helping someone in need. The feeling you get
is so powerful and meaningful.”
Kim Doyle
Payment Solutions Advocate | Milford
Volunteers with The Exchange

15. “I volunteer because I want to have a positive impact on
the world around me, even if it might seem so very
small. Every little bit helps, but for the animals that get
food, shelter, and safety, it means everything to them.
Volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge commitment. It
can be, if you your passion takes you there, but
sometimes it’s just what you can give at the current
moment.”
Kim Prow
Manager, Business Strategy & Integration |
Easton
Volunteers with:
• CHA Animal Shelter
• Worthington Organized Off-Leash Friends
• SNAP!