Stories of a Volunteeraholic: Moving the needle of impact one person's journey

By Amy Tiemeyer

Stories of a Volunteeraholic is written from the stories and experiences of one person's volunteer journey over forty years, but none of the projects, programs, or events were done single-handedly. Our country has the opportunity coming out of the pandemic to pivot and embrace working together in new ways and in better ways--if the everyday person chooses to engage in the small ways to prepare for the big ways.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fulton Books, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798889820819

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Foreword

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Serving Those Who Served

Why Not?

The Harlem Shake

Zombie Apocalypse 5K

Hoops 4 Heroes

Wear Blue

Tee It High and Let It Fly

Turkey Shoot

Santa's Castle

Christmas Tree Lot

The Travis Manion Foundation

Single Soldier Welcome Home Baskets

Family Fun Days

Thanksgiving Dinner

Suits for Service Members

Turkey Drop and Ham Grenade

Community and Social Justice

Why Volunteering Has Become Who I Am

Yoga and Youth

Redeeming the Prophetic Dream

Juneteenth

The DASH Center

The Lucky Ninjas

Building Community through Fitness

Weed and Seed

Citizens for a Healthy Bay

Why I Believe Volunteering Is So Powerful

The Time Is Always Right

Where You Might Fit In

Volunteering Is in My Blood

Advice on Running a Project

Big Dreams

Conclusion

About the Author

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Stories of a Volunteeraholic

Moving the needle of impact one person's journey

Amy Tiemeyer

Copyright © 2023 Amy Tiemeyer

All rights reserved

First Edition

Fulton Books

Meadville, PA

Published by Fulton Books 2023

ISBN 979-8-88982-080-2 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88982-081-9 (digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Foreword

We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a thousand points of light… We all have something to give.

—President George H. W. Bush, Founder of Points of Light

* * * * *

The collective support of my community allowed me to begin grieving when my husband, CPT John Hallett, was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. In the days following his sacrifice, my neighbors earnestly volunteered to help my family: providing food, taking out the trash, and watching my three young children. There was no task too big or too small, as local volunteers created the space for my family to begin our healing journey.

My husband's death was one of many in what proved to be a difficult deployment. Over a ten month period, we lost forty-one Soldiers. On the home soil, we forged a small community of support, meeting weekly for remembrance, runs, and connection. A global not-for-profit, wear blue: run to remember, was formed in those simple first steps.

In the years that ensued, volunteers continued to come together through wear blue. These volunteers gave generously of their heart, time, and talents to create a community bigger than themselves that ensured there was always a place to honor the fallen, empower their families, and support those who still raised their right hand to serve.

In 2011, my brave, inspiring friend, Amy Tiemeyer, joined our local wear blue community. A change maker with a deeply personal connection to a life of service, Amy quickly became an invaluable volunteer leader in the organization.

Well over a dozen years later, wear blue: run to remember remains an organization of impact because of the enduring passion and commitment of our volunteer community. And, true to form, Amy remains a steadfast volunteer. I am deeply honored to know and work with her.

* * * * *

From the simple act of making a meal to protecting our freedoms in our all-volunteer military, America is a great nation because of these efforts. Volunteers are driven not by dollars, but by purpose. And, in this altruistic commitment, these individuals create a better America.

When we volunteer, our selfless actions improve our lives and the lives of those around us. As we build new networks driven by purpose, we create community and a place to belong. The foundations we lay, the food we pack, the trees we plant, the words we read, are building blocks to a stronger, more thoughtful, more connected self. Which creates a stronger, more thoughtful, more connected community.

There is power in each and every one of us to volunteer. To give a little bit of ourselves to do good. To make the world better. Not because we have to, but because we want to. When we stand shoulder to shoulder, our small ripples of kindness become rolling waves of impact.

Because of the neighbors who walked alongside me in the early days of my husband's death, and the sea of volunteers who continue to help me honor and remember our fallen heroes, my family, and thousands of families like mine, have the strength to persevere and thriv—on their own, but never alone.

* * * * *

In the following pages, Amy will unfold a celebration of volunteers. Who they are; how they give; what they create. Her words and actions are a beautiful and needed reminder of that which is good in this world.

Thank you to all who choose to give of themselves for the good of others. May you be an inspiration for those around you to do the same.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my parents Monte and Jane Craypo for raising me as a volunteer, they modeled volunteerism though out my life and showed me the joy of giving as well as the gratitude for all life's lessons.

I would like to thank my forever husband Marc Tiemeyer who when warned, by me and others over and over still decided to join me on my quest to live my best life, full of nonsense and joy.

I would like to thank my kids and grandkids all of whom taught me the most in life. Whether mine by birth or circumstance we are forever tied and forever moving forward. Your journeys are inspiring, loving and perfect. I would like to thank my brother who always has my back and answers all my IT questions again and again even when he is doing other things.

I have so many people that helped grow me, encourage my creativity, joined me in the arena and never let me think or feel I couldn't change the stars. I will name many but just know there is probably still some I missed: Candi Hall, Darren Spencer (Scooter), Tiffany Sanders, Jimmy and Charles, Kenya, ChiQuata, Dr. Dexter Gordon, Athrettis, all the youth from the DASH center and Young Business Men, CSM-retired Herb Schmeling, Jackie, Tammy, Mandi, Brittney, Ron, Curtis, Rachel, Amber Young, Jasmine Marcheselli, Charlene Miseli, Heather Kelly, Stacy Miller, Denise Dhane, Ken Swarner, Ken Leonard, Kimberly, Scott, Tamara, Melissa, Katie, Meghan, Dawn, Amber F. Ed P. Elliott, Chris R., Josh, Jason, Linh, Eddie, Wes, and the list goes on.

I want to especially thank Lisa Hallett for writing my foreword and Michael Gueltig for editing my book, along with the team at Fulton books.

Introduction

When I think of what I want to be known for, the foremost thing is volunteering. Volunteering has changed my life. From childhood to marriage, to parenting and beyond, every part of my life has been influenced by and through volunteering.

Volunteering has shaped who I am as a human being, how I see the world around me, and how I want the world to be transformed. It has taught me much about myself. More importantly, though, volunteering has shown me just how big the world really is. And also how small.

You see, I believe we're all connected. We all have the bloodline of humanity running through our veins, and because of that, when one of us is struggling and in need, others who aren't need to step in and help. I also believe that we all spend our time able to serve and in need of being served and that when we feel called to serve others, we should step up.

The book you're about to read is a collection of stories from my experience as a volunteer—from being a grunt to leading the way. It is my wish that through reading it, you will discover a multitude of ways to serve, be inspired to serve, and then write to me and tell me about your experience as a volunteer.

I am a volunteeraholic, and because I have watched the world grow farther apart, I wanted to write this book as an encouragement and perhaps as a reference for ideas, ideals, and humor. I believe in us. I know with every fiber of my being, if we chose to get involved in our communities rather than stand in a state of judgment and controversy, we can do great things, build great things, and enjoy our lives more.

This book has my stories of volunteering, and my hope is that you can laugh with me, dream with me, and perhaps even use some of how and what I, or we, did to build your community.

This book is written for volunteers, dreamers, and givers. I have learned we need to hunt for the good; this is me hopefully making the hunt easier. This is me writing down my good stories so I don't forget my why, or how, even when for those bad days we all sometimes have. We have all heard if it bleeds, it leads, but then we don't share the good work we are doing for fear of looking like we are virtue signaling. I hope we can boldly start sharing more, laughing more, and learning more about our communities.

I have over forty years of experience volunteering on pretty much every level. The stories in this book aren't just my stories; everyone that has worked with me has just as much claim to them, and they have different perspectives and depth. I have learned it's okay if two people have different recollections, and I don't have to defend my interpretation, so neither do you. I bring this up because I also wonder if the concern of how someone else remembers an event stops a story from being told.

Theodore Roosevelt was our twenty-sixth president, from 1901 to 1909, and I imagine you have heard the quote from Theodore Roosevelt's speech, Citizenship in a Republic. The quote