Wendy Morgan

What types of organizations do you like to Volunteer for, and do you have any favorite Charities?  The three most recent organizations that I have volunteered for are the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, JDRF, and The Tacoma Rescue Mission. Previously I have volunteered for the United Way, YWCA and Youth for Christ. My favorite charities are the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (volunteer time span- 2000 - current ) & JDRF (2018 to current.) CFF & JDRF are organizations that have had a huge personal impact.

What motivated you to work with your favorite organization(s)?  My oldest daughter Mary has CF and Type 1 diabetes. (CFF) Throughout the years I have participated in fundraising for The Great Strides Walk, and annual galas. Scientists and doctors have been able to advance the medical pipeline with their research. Discoveries of how to isolate and treat specific mutations has made it possible to develop new medications. This has made it possible to expand CF patient's life expectancy. Every effort and step made, creates a pathway closer to finding a cure. None of this would be possible without funding from these organizations. JDRF's funding provides assistance to patients in need of medical supplies, support programs for families, and researchers to develop more efficient ways for daily care. ( I volunteered at a few of the walks.)

Brett Meyer

What types of organizations do you like to Volunteer for, and do you have any favorite Charities? I primarily do volunteer work for two different organizations, Chesapeake Citizens Police Association and SEVA GRREAT. SEVA GRREAT is my favorite charity that collects funds. The other group is more about assisting the local police department.

What motivated you to work with your favorite organization(s)? SEVA GRREAT is a Golden Retriever rescue organization. We have been rescuing not only local dogs but also abandoned dogs from Turkey and dogs set to go to a butcher in China. It is rewarding to see them survive and often thrive through the fosters and adopters. I volunteer for the local police department because I think they get a bad rap, and they are mostly trying to do good for the community, and I want to give back. Also, I have always been interested in police work, and this gives me the means to see behind the scenes.

Do you have a favorite memory from volunteering, if so, can you please share? I have three memorable experiences that all happened in 2019.

1. National Night Out (McGruff) – National Night Out is an evening in August where the police visit community events around the local area. I qualified as a McGruff as I was going through my training and participated in this event. We visited six underprivileged neighborhoods that night, and I got to interact with the children from those communities. I don’t think I have ever had that many hugs in 3 hours. I also lost 5 lbs that night in the costume. The blue vest I am wearing is filled with ice that was melted by the time we got back.

2. With SEVA, I have done many fundraising events, but the one that sticks out the most was a visit we did to a local nursing home. We didn’t do this to raise money but instead to let the residents experience these wonderful dogs. They reserved a courtyard for us, and the residents took seats around the outside perimeter. We took each of the goldens around and let them meet each resident individually then we let them off-leash. My golden played and played in the courtyard and entertained the residents for an hour with his ball-playing antics. It was great to see the smiles on each of their faces. And through their thanks at the end, we know how much this visit meant to them.

Why do you have a passion for volunteering? I feel we all need to give something back to the areas we are passionate about. I love dogs, and since getting my own golden retriever, I wanted to make sure none of these dogs has to live in horrible conditions. The community police work is something I think needs more attention. I had to go through a 12-week academy, learn all facets of police work, and even graduated. I not only do the McGruff volunteering but also work some evenings at a substation police office at one of our local malls to tell more people not only about community policing but also opportunities to speak to kids about getting into police work.