This week we’re catching up with Sheryl Greene, a second year Daycare volunteer. Cheryl volunteers at Congregation Beth Israel and (fun fact) she’s been to nearly all 50 states.How did you become a volunteer with your Madison House program?
Why did you chose your program?
Tell us your best, funniest, or most educational experience as a Madison House volunteer.
I became interested in the Madison House programs when I first started at UVA, but it wasn’t until I was a 4th year that I realized there were programs I could participate in that fit with my schedule.
I chose to be part of the Big Siblings Program after seeing some of my friends’ experiences with the program. I like that I am able to be a constant influence in a child’s life and that I get to know her well, and not just barely get to know a larger group of people like many of the other programs.
As a Big Sibling, my five-year-old little sibling has taught me a lot. The funniest thing I learned recently, is that if you don’t scream enough in a day, then you feel like you have to clear your throat. She showed me, for the next five minutes, exactly how to scream so that you don’t have to clear your throat.
What is one thing you’d like readers to know about your program?
The Big Sibling Program is a great program to get involved with. It is incredibly fulfilling to see the difference you make in a child’s life.
Stephanie Maxwell, a fourth year majoring in computer science, started volunteering at Madison House last August. She also made an appearance in “Inspector Gadget visits Washington D.C.” when she was five years old.
When I joined the Madison House Board in 2011, I knew very little about how Madison House operated. I worked in Facilities Management at the University for over thirty years and was familiar with some of the volunteer work performed by Madison House. But, I had no idea of the scale of involvement, the far reach in the community, or the engagement and passion of the student volunteers. In my two years serving on the Board, I have met some amazing students with bright futures who truly believe in the power of volunteerism. These student volunteers are the unsung heroes in our community, giving of their time and incredible energy, asking for no recognition.
There are many unique and distinguishing aspects of the University of Virginia. The Academical Village, a World Heritage site, is still used as Jefferson originally intended. The University is also consistently ranked highly among public universities. Finally, University students and staff of Madison House provide unparalleled volunteer service to the surrounding community.
During the last 30 years working in Facilities Management at the University of Virginia, I have seen many changes and significant growth on Grounds. The Medical Center expanded its hospital and clinical services; the University continued to lead in more research initiatives; and finally, the true lifeblood of the community, the student body, increased in both size and diversity. It has been exciting to be a part of this growth and to have the opportunity to meet and work with so many talented people. However, contributing to the unique mission of service and leadership at Madison House has been especially gratifying. Thank you, Madison House.
By Desiree Davis
The DC kickoff event for the Madison House Alumni Network was unforgettable.
Metro DC alumni woke up that day to cold temperatures and fast winds. In fact, MHAN organizers planned backup events in case alumni showed up at Long Bridge Park begging to go indoors. Council members also brought hot beverages to keep people caffeinated and warm for what looked to be a very frigid morning. Upon gathering the two-dozen alumni together to ask them if they wanted to proceed, we were thrilled attendees were determined to follow through with the event’s mission.
And in the first 15 minutes they showed off that determination—
- A couple sprinted off-path to grab floating plastic bags even as wind hit them head on (we kid not)
- Someone brought a self-made spear to more easily grab deeply-rooted garbage particles (we salute such efforts)
- A group of volunteers veered off path to wade into a thicket of branches to collect hundreds of abandoned bottles and cans (exhibit A: the pictures)
For over an hour, the group circled Army Navy Drive and Crystal Drive cleaning up everything in its path – no item was too big, too dirty or too weird. Alumni and friends who had not known each other at all teamed up to grab items, using trash and recycling bags. The high that day was 34 degrees and yet 25 people showed up to help out their community. We collected and sorted 16 bags of trash and 14 bags of recycling.
And it would not be a UVA event without a combination of both work and play.
Afterwards, the group headed over to Good Stuff Eatery, a DC burger and shakes staple, to celebrate the morning’s accomplishment, and to defrost. Everyone left quite full and very excited about both the network and the upcoming events. The key requests? Warmer weather…and more trash.
How did you become a volunteer with your Madison House program?
I was extremely involved with service clubs in high school such as National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, so I was looking for service organizations when I got to UVA. I also wanted to be involved a program that would let me get off grounds once in awhile and into the Charlottesville community.
Why did you choose your program? What do you like about it?
I was immediately attracted to the Adopt-a-grandparent program because I love talking to senior citizens and hearing about their experiences because they always offer such great advice. I had spent a lot of time back home with senior citizens and I didn’t want to forget that a world existed outside of the college life.
Tell us your best, funniest, or most educational experience as a Madison House volunteer.
I’m completely in love with my adopted grandma. She always has so many stories to tell me about her adventures and some of my favorite memories with her are when we just sit and talk about our travel experiences. I look forward to seeing her because it is a nice break from the week. Some of the things she’s done with her life have really motivated me to make more of my time in college and join other clubs or learn new things. For example, my grandma was an avid sailor when she was younger and her stories of her lake days have encouraged me to join the sailing club this semester.
What is one thing you’d like readers to know about your program?
I hope everyone knows that you can make a difference with this program. Some students think that spending an hour a week with someone won’t change anything or help anyone but I know that both my adopted grandmother and I love meeting and talking. Being a volunteer for this program brightens someone’s day every week. I know personally that my adopted grandmother still loves the Madison House volunteer that preceded me and that they both became incredibly close. I can’t wait to spend more time with my own adopted grandmother and I hope more students will get involved with the program!
Victoria Tran, a first year at the University, began volunteering at Madison House last fall. She is originally from Kansas.
A few short years ago, I left the house I had grown up in and moved my familiar belongings into an unfamiliar room at the school of my dreams. Mom and Dad left, eliciting a delicate balance of homesickness and excitement. Reflecting back, I think it is safe to say that I didn’t return home the same person. My college friends became family and U.Va. traditions became staples of my daily life. Today, only a few months shy of my final steps down the Lawn as a student, I have found comfort in uncertainty and faith in new opportunity.
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How did you become a volunteer with your Madison House program?> Donate to the Thankful 2013 Campaign
Chris Zapple and Alex Shannon are setting out to run/bike 2013 miles, volunteer 100 hours, and donate $2600 to Madison House.
by Chris Zapple ‘14
Forty days ago, Alex Shannon and I stood at the trailhead of the C&O Canal in Cumberland, Maryland. It was a cloudy mid-December morning with a brisk breeze coming off the Potomac River. Despite the weather, we set out to bike the 184.5-mile C&O Canal in 3 days. That day we also began pedaling towards another goal, in fact something much greater. On that day, we launched our campaign of personal fitness and service for others: Thankful for 2013. Thankful for 2013 intends to inspire hope and encourage service in the UVA and Charlottesville community. Starting on December 19, 2012, and ending with the Charlottesville Marathon on April 6, 2013, Alex and I have pledged to do three things: run/bike a combined total of 2013 miles, complete 100 hours of community service, and donate $2,600 to Madison House. It sounds ambitious and we are up for the challenge. The idea of this project came nearly 4 months ago. I was walking home from Alderman Library on a Tuesday night and the idea of running 2013 miles in 2013 popped into my head.
Honestly, I would be crazy to run that far in one year, so I decided to run/bike 2013 miles in 2013. However, I felt like having running/biking partner would be better to complete this goal with. So I asked Alex and he immediately said yes. However, there is another source of inspiration to this campaign. A little less than two month ago, a friend of mine tragically passed away. She had a personality that lit up the room; she inspired hope and happiness in others. I am thankful that she was and will always be in my life, and I wanted to find a way to pass this thankfulness on to others. That is why Alex and I will perform 100 hours of community service. And it is why we chose Madison House to be the beneficiary.
Both Alex and I admire the services that Madison House provides. Whether it is through tutoring, coaching teams, or helping those in need, we feel that Madison House encapsulates the spirit of thankfulness. We know that you have been touched by your Madison House experience and we want to give back to this wonderful organization that has benefited so many. We ask you to support Thankful for 2013 by going out into your community and serving others. Help a friend or stranger in need and be thankful for the life you live. Also, we ask for your support to help us reach our goal of donating $2,600 to Madison House. Donations can be made online through the Madison House donation page and please write “Thankful for 2013” in the memo. If you would like to follow our adventure, please go to thankfulfor2013.blogspot.com.
How did you become a volunteer with your Madison House program?
Things I love about tutoring: I get to brush up on my cursive skills (in dire need of help), once I got to pretend to be an airplane with a student, carpools always turn into story time about everyone’s lives as elementary schoolers, sitting in child sized chairs is fun, and you’re reminded that the world is not solely composed of 18-22 year olds. Honestly though, my favorite part is just getting out and creating personal connections between UVA students and the Charlottesville community. Sometimes I feel like UVA thinks of itself as a separate entity from Charlottesville so it’s refreshing to be able to break those boundaries and integrate Charlottesville life with my life as a UVA student.
Tell us your best, funniest, or most educational experience as a Madison House volunteer.
I was with a couple of other UVA students in a second grade class last year and we asked the students if they knew what UVA was. They all looked fairly mystified and answered “No.” That was just mind-blowing that students who lived literally miles from grounds had no concept of UVA. That definitely brought me out of the “UVA bubble” and I was glad to have the opportunity as a tutor to give Charlottesville kids a positive association with UVA students.