“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” —Barack Obama, President of the United States
As a teenager, I participated in an exercise to learn the importance of teamwork. We arranged four chairs facing each other and sat in them sideways so that we could recline. When the chairs were removed we did not fall because we supported each other.
We borrowed strength from each other to keep from toppling over. It’s a great exercise to teach people of any age about teamwork and an analogy for how we can affect the world around us. I am sure we are not strangers to the challenging situations that many of our friends and neighbors face daily. However, by borrowing strength from each other, we can stand up to what our community is facing.
The concept of borrowing can be a tricky one to discuss. Barriers and stigmas prevent many from entertaining the idea. However, these barriers fall away when it comes to borrowing from the heart of a generous lender. I want to tell you about a few of these leaders who specialize in loaning their time, talent and treasure to the cause of uplifting the Central Florida community. These outstanding individuals are owners of many accolades and superlatives, but I am most proud to know them as Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida volunteers.
Perry Crawley is a member of the executive leadership team at Walt Disney World and Chair-Elect of Second Harvest Food Bank’s Board of Directors. He takes the extra steps to inspire and motivate others in his sphere of influence also to give their time to the food bank. Perry’s impact has not only been felt in the high-level organizational decisions he has been a part of making but also in the number of volunteer hands that have been present helping. As Perry says, “Volunteering is fun! Bring friends or come and make new ones; either way, it’s fun.”
Cynthia Pope gives from her heart out of an abundance of lived experience. Cynthia is a role model to many of our regular volunteers due to her willingness to help in any way she can. She has generously given her time on afternoons and weekends to assist those in need, even volunteering for special events outside of the food bank to amplify her impact. She is an inspiring figure within the volunteer community and says, “…imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Those who give of themselves to benefit others inspire me to emulate them.”
Carralyce Buford, Co-Founder/Chief Operating Officer of Label Hoarder and co-chair of the Ultimate Garden Party event planning committee, is a volunteer with an unwavering willingness to assist those in need. Her drive is like high-octane fuel that supercharges those around her to make an even more significant impact. In Carralyce’s words, “Food is a necessity to all people no matter their age or background. It does not discriminate. No one should go hungry, be hungry, or feel that food is a luxury.” This motivation allows her to keep the goal of eradicating hunger in focus while compelling others to join the cause.
Change will not come if we wait for some other person or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”
Barack Obama, President of the United States
These selfless individuals embody the ideal of being the change they want to see. Whether driven by passion, responsibility or empathy, they have all decided that it isn’t anyone else’s responsibility but their own to change the world around them. I hope their impact inspires you to do the same!
Ian Dixon
Volunteer Services Manager
