This year the National Ability Center will be joining many programs nationwide to celebrate National Volunteer Week which is happening this week, April 10th – 16th! National Volunteer Week is a time to reflect on the power of individuals taking action in one way or another and to recognize these individuals and their collaborative efforts in helping make a positive impact in their community. Here at the National Ability Center we have many individuals who fit perfectly within this description, and in honor of this celebration, we will be sharing stories over the next 5 weeks of outstanding volunteers who have generously donated their time and energy in support of our mission.
What these along with many other individuals bring to the National Ability Center is invaluable and with that I would like to say thank-you. Thank you for the respect, dedication, and enthusiasm you share with our participants and for lending a hand wherever needed. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our organization from assisting on lessons to taking photographs during programs and helping plan fundraisers throughout the year. We are very lucky to have such amazing individuals willing to set aside time out of their day to help make what we do possible. As an AmeriCorps I am very lucky and thankful to have the opportunity to work alongside these individuals and serve as a full-time volunteer at this organization. So on that note I would like to introduce our first volunteer spotlight,
Kim Mann, who is involved with our Ski/Snowboard Program.
If you or someone you know would like additional information regarding volunteer opportunities or ways you can get involved with the National Ability Center, please email
laurae@discovernac.org.
Happy National Volunteer Week, cheers!
Laura Erickson
AmeriCorps, Volunteer Coordinator
Volunteer Spotlight Kim Mann’s vacation to Park City, UT is more than just an escape to the mountainous terrain and scenic vistas of the West. As an ex-ski patroller and practicing nurse in Chicago, it is a chance for her to put her professional knowledge and love o
f skiing to good use. Like many Park City skiers, her involvement with the NAC started after noticing one of our adaptive skiers out enjoying the same sport she was— just with different equipment. This combined with the desire to do something meaningful with her time while in Park City led her to become a volunteer. That first season Kim was only around for 2 weeks, but instantly became part of the NAC family. Five years later, she now returns for over 2 months. As if this were not enough indication of her dedication to our Ski Program, Kim consistently goes the extra mile by doing everything from assisting on any lesson we throw her way to attending advanced volunteer training clinics and filling the NAC Ski Center freezer with Hot Pockets and other goodies to keep the staff happy and well-fed. Her support of our mission and passion for working with the participants (especially those in Special Olympics) is undeniable. She treats everyone she encounters with the utmost respect, and her naturally energetic and hands-on approach to lessons makes her a valuable asset to our program
*Make sure to keep an eye out in the following weeks for stories from these outstanding volunteers--
Henny Muldowney, Tyler Israel, Nicole Carollo, and Amber Ohl.
