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As a recreational therapy major at Indiana University, Jacklyn Moleski was looking for a place to practice what she was learning in the classroom. She knew that play is paramount for early childhood development and inclusive play allow children with and without disabilities to interact and learn from each other. Her involvement as a volunteer at Kids Play Gym in …

Fatherhood can be a bit daunting for anyone. For Micah Heath, as the new father to a baby with Down Syndrome, the unknowns were becoming overwhelming and the questions endless. When Micah and his family moved to Bloomington two years ago for his new position as the principal at Arlington Heights Elementary School, they knew they needed to find a …

Tom Zoss knows the value of a mentor. Now retired, Tom has had many mentors himself and learning experiences throughout his working life that have given him wisdom and perspective that he is now able to share with those just starting out. Bloomington SCORE provides free and confidential business advice and counseling through its volunteers. As a volunteer for SCORE, …

Joel McMillan moved to the Bloomington Community to work at Crane, but had some extra time in his schedule and was interested in getting more involved in the community beyond his job. When he heard about the new LifeMentor program through LIFEDesigns, he saw an opportunity to meet new people, broaden his perspectives, and connect to someone through a mentoring …

It all started when Danyele tagged along with a friend to an adoption event for Our Lil’ Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue and Sanctuary a few years ago. The dedication of the volunteers and the need that she saw drew her in immediately. She knows that it is impossible to save every dog, but she has seen the difference that …

Donna and Otto Ray didn’t ever expect that they would find themselves behind the scenes as volunteers supporting songwriters in Bloomington. They don’t write songs and only dabbled in playing music. It was a twist of fate and the close connections that Bloomington provides that brought them together four years ago as a couple. Soon, their shared love of original …

When Melinda Swenson retired as a nurse practitioner and instructor after 32 years in those positions, she looked around for a way that she could continue to contribute her knowledge and skills as a volunteer. Discovering the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic was the perfect match for Melinda’s need to continue caring for individuals and to contribute to Bloomington as a …

Laura Walter saw the opportunity to assist others with their annual struggle to get heir taxes done as a simple solution to a very complex problem. She first came to the United Way Community Tax Service just like anyone else – as someone with some anxieties about being able to complete their annual taxes correctly. What appealed to her was …

Jim Rusie’s ethic for service runs deep in his family tree. Giving back was something that his mother instilled in him, his children, and grandchildren from an early age by example. She has won numerous awards for her service in the Martinsville community. Jim has continued his own service by taking a leadership role in the Area 10 Food Pantry program through …

Jenn Harmless looked around and didn’t like what she saw. About 5 years ago, she noticed an increase in dehumanizing rhetoric aimed at Muslims and other populations. Jenn decided that she needed to find a way to counteract the increase in hate speech that was happening nationwide. Together with a few friends, she founded We Are You, a nonprofit whose …