Shauna Brown has been with Project Read for over 20 years…she started out as a volunteer herself, and is now the Executive Director. Project Read is an adult literacy program where they help individuals gain the skills they need in reading, writing, math, and even digital skills. One thing I especially love about this episode is all the great stories Shauna shares. She really gives a good picture of the work they’re doing through these stories and experiences she had herself as a tutor, and now also the success and good experiences other volunteers and students are having with their program.

I mention in this episode, I especially had a real interest in this interview because I myself volunteered as a tutor with Project Read many years ago when I was a college student. That opportunity impacted me in so many ways and definitely instilled my love of volunteering in the community and seeing the good effects it can have on everyone involved.

This episode originally dropped on August 22, 2023 and I’m excited to share it again so more people can learn about all the good things Project Read is doing.

Links mentioned in the episode:
Project Read Website
Project Read Instagram
Project Read Facebook

ProLiteracy
National Literacy Directory

Follow the podcast on social media:
Do Something More Instagram
Do Something More Facebook
Do Something More YouTube

After a 5 year battle with cancer, Quinton Muir passed away in 2017 at the age of 16. Now his parents, Jeff and Lori Muir are running a foundation called the Ironman Q Foundation to honor his memory and to help other families who find themselves navigating a cancer diagnosis.

This of course was a tender interview as Lori shared her memories of Quinton and some of the reasons they felt motivated in different ways to begin this foundation and help other people in honor of Quinton. She shares how they started out by offering scholarships to kids graduating from the high school Quinton attended, and then moved on from there to doing a variety of things to help other cancer families…including donating quilts, organizing Christamas boxes, giving away Jazz tickets, or even organizing retreats for angel moms.

The Muirs are my neighbors, and I am so inspired by their example of acting on thoughts and promptings to help others, even while they themselves were still grieving the loss of their boy and navigating their own hard days. I loved how Lori shared it doesn’t take much to help someone and make a difference and we can all ‘be that someone’ for somebody else.

This episode originally aired May 16, 2023 (which is actually Quniton’s birthday!). Since then, I haven’t featured any other organizations that have a mission of helping people affected by cancer…but I would like to because I know there are many doing good things just like the Ironman Q Foundation. Send me a email at dosomethingmore.podcast@gmail.com if you have a good idea for one I should feature.

Links mentioned in the episode:
Ironman Q Foundation Website
Ironman Q Foundation Instagram
Ironman Q Foundation Facebook

Follow the podcast on social media:
Do Something More Instagram
Do Something More Facebook
Do Something More YouTube

Vaughn Kimball is my older brother…but he’s also had a lot of experience working with youth through work and also a variety of volunteer roles and opportunities. For this episode I asked him if he could talk about being a volunteer coach for kids sports teams. He shares a lot of good advice and encouragement for anyone that’s ever thought about wanting to be a coach for their kid’s teams. I also love the ‘why’ he shares at the end. That yes, it’s fun competing and learning a new sport, but most of all he has cherished the opportunities to really connect with kids, help build their confidence and self-esteem, and let them know that they have the capacity to learn anything and do good in the world. This episode originally dropped on May 9, 2023…and I wanted to share it again because I know there are many good coaches out there (and potential good coaches too!) who are making a difference for kids in many ways.

Follow the podcast on social media:
Do Something More Instagram
Do Something More Facebook
Do Something More YouTube