Volunteer of the Month
December 2009
View Volunteer Slide Show Here
Volunteer Giant T. Rowe Price
“Surely not what this associate of T. Rowe Price envisioned when deciding to participate in providing an evening meal at the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins many years ago. That one act of volunteerism has led an entire spectrum of individuals and divisions within T. Rowe Price to become involved with Believe in Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation and at the same time spawned the quintessential team-building opportunity.
T. Rowe Price, a global investment management firm with corporate headquarters in Baltimore, MD, states on their website: “Our mission is simple: help clients around the world achieve their long-term investment goals.”
Truly, for Believe In Tomorrow National Children’s Foundation, they have faithfully invested in the families and critically-ill children we serve, empowering and expanding our network of support. As an organization, Believe In Tomorrow has, over the years, watched individuals within T. Rowe Price initiate corporate-sponsored participation which in turn inspires first-time participants to spearhead their own endeavors within their corporate departments and communities. It is a cycle of doing good that impacts a whole new wave of people with each act. While words cannot adequately address and express our gratitude for each individual associate who has forever touched the lives of the BIT families, we would like to highlight two of the most recent “waves of kindness” initiated by this incredible group of people.
Sandy Montgomery and David Pitz are among those who have spearheaded the volunteer endeavors embarked upon by T. Rowe Price in July 2009. Together, they collaborated as members of the Events Committee to create a unique inter-departmental teambuilding exercise. Six teams were challenged to create a unique meal for the families. In keeping with their corporate philosophy, they created a culinary “round the world” experience serving tacos, lasagna, and BBQ, amongst other goodies.
When asked what is different and meaningful about volunteering at Believe In Tomorrow, Sandy said the unanimous feeling among the associate participants is the “immediate feedback…the sense, first hand, of the impact” a meal, lovingly prepared or a kind word has on those experiencing an excruciating situation. “You see the smiles, have conversations, and everyone couldn’t help but leave with the sense that you had done something good.”
David Pitz, a 6 year veteran of Believe In Tomorrow’s volunteer force, offered some insight int0 the appeal of BIT’s volunteer opportunities on both a corporate and personal level: “We enjoy the team building aspect of coming together outside of the hustle and bustle of our day to day activities, partnered with satisfaction of giving back to families that are working through very stressful and life changing situations. It is a good feeling to try and bring a sense of normalcy back to the residents, who are often away from their homes, families, and friends for extended periods of time, if even for a single night.”
We would like to offer a round of applause, a hip hip hooray, and our heartfelt thanks for the following members of the teams that provided (and will provide) Believe In Tomorrow families with an opportunity to forget about cooking and relax over a meal:
Robert Martino, Chris Carpenter, Aimee Chrest, Kevin Clapper, Pete Arconti, Debbie Rausa, Chris Browne, Andrew Bixler, Kirk Hughes, Gina Sklar, Amy Hubert, Vinnett Mason, David Brown, Becky Oster, Jennifer Krieger, Kevin Creaby, Nathan Brown, Clay Bowers, Mike Saylor, Sarah Stevens, Robin McCready, Jean Hawes, Debbie Rogers, Mark Broccolino, Antonio Altobelli, Stephen Castro, Sara Weise, Bill Luecking, Sarah Haines, Carrie Myers, Sandy Montgomery, Andy Gaiser, Amy Bullinger, Megan Bollinger, Mike Kurzmiller, Craig Warlick, Luke Schroeder, Adam Tremper, Katherine Scheungrab, Todd Peeples, Tom Kurzmiller, Mike Verill, Courtney Murphy, Julia Alexander, and Lisa Bankert.
Team Leaders Dan Middleton, Mark Woods, and Steve Greene will be coordinating groups that will provide meals with a touch of holiday spirit in December:
Jill Talbott, Howard Heller, Mary Ellen Whiteman, Heather Bryant, Bill Wright, Linda Caton, Donald Fisher, Dan Middelton, Pam Stevens, Guna Muthukrishnan, Beth Burlingame, Linda Crawford, Maria Oliver, Elizabeth Dorn, Mark Woods, Kristin Seeberger, Julie Zerivitz, Jon Zerivitz, David Williams, Shannon Cuffley, Dave George, Kellie Cummings, Melanie Milazzo, Stacy Hedeman, Mike Gaucher, Beth Plotkins, Diana Shvalb, David Kepner, Emily Clinton, Steve Greene, Dan Klos, Mike Thompson, and Engel Baldwin.
“We are very grateful for the ground swell of support we’ve received from so many T. Rowe Price associates, over the years” said Believe In Tomorrow Founder and CEO Brian Morrison. “Preparing family suppers for our guests at the Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins or the Believe In Tomorrow House at St. Casimir, is a very special gift for families in the throws of battling a child’s critical illness, having one less thing to worry about is huge.”