Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Faye and Ellen
by Carissa Hodgson, Bright Spot Network Director of Programs and Community Outreach
In the past year I’ve garnered so much appreciation for the book industry! There are so many moving pieces when it comes to writing and publishing stories, ordering books, and shipping them around the country. I have to admit, I’ve been working along the learning curve to meet the explosive growth of our Bright Reads program that has grown by 56% over the last year. Last year we distributed books to 477 families and we are on track to deliver books to OVER 700 families this year.
When Haley and I sat down to think about engaging volunteers to help us, the first person I thought of was Faye. I met Faye 15 years ago when I started at Gilda’s Club Madison. She was the lead Food Fairy (yes, we had food fairies!) who had the tall order of planning and hosting our weekly Family Night Dinners. She was so warm and inviting to all of the families, helping them to feel nourished both literally and emotionally before the evening cancer support groups. Faye went on to become a weekly Greeter at the front desk and the official Gilda’s Club Librarian. Her top-notch organizational skills, attention to detail and love of books was a perfect match for this volunteer position. I just knew she would bring the same tender love and care to Bright Reads.
When I reached out to Faye about the opportunity to help with Bright Reads, she was excited to help out AND invite a friend along for the ride! It was such a treat to meet her longtime friend Ellen who is amazing in her own right. Though I’ve only had the pleasure of knowing her for several months, I know she is smart, organized, incredibly kind and funny! I’ve also learned she is a creative problem solver, and very thoughtful. When we started to work through the challenges of the volunteers packaging all of the books and items, Ellen had great ideas to assist in the transition, including offering her house as a storing center for the boxes of books and supplies (an interesting quandary of holding a fully remote book program is finding space in your home to hold it all!)
Ellen and Faye have already taken some beautiful ownership over the program and have expressed how meaningful it is to get books about cancer into the hands of families who can use them as support. Here is a short message from each of them about who they are and what drew them to Bright Reads:
First of all I would like to thank everyone for reaching out to Bright Spot Network. It’s so important to get your questions answered and the support you need. I have done volunteer work for most of my life and find it’s very rewarding to be that helping hand to those in need of support. For the last 10+ years I have been volunteering at Gilda’s Club Madison. Being a two time cancer survivor and several family members passing from cancer it was a good fit for me to get involved in supporting those affected by cancer. Joining Bright Spot as a volunteer was yet another way to continue helping those who need that valued support.
I retired from the corporate world nearly 10 years ago. Leaving a technical and analytical job I tapped into my creative side which has led me to be a fiber artist today.
I was drawn to the idea of giving parents, guardians, etc, an additional tool to help children understand cancer and death. Some parents don’t always know where to start and books are a way to start the conversation at any age.
I am mother to 2 (Angela and Eric), grandmother to 7, and great-grandmother to 1 (that sounds old!). My husband and I have been traveling more since I retired as an Accountant. I enjoy camping, playing board and card games, reading, and learning new things.
I know Faye and Ellen are the type of people who like to shine from the background, but I just couldn’t help but share their light with the Bright Spot Network community. We are SO LUCKY to have these amazing women on the Bright Spot Network team!