Member Stories

Networking is a key role of any professional network. SAVMA is no different. Sharing member stories is an important part of networking. Meet your peers. Share your struggles. Introduce yourselves. Do it online, in person, in writing, over the phone, in different ways. Networking with your peers will keep your skills fresh and your connections current.

  • smiling volunteer manager with habitat hat

Celebrating IMVD with SAVMA: Be Bold. Make Change.

Celebrate IVMDay with SAVMA! 💙 Be Bold. Make Change.Celebrate IVMDay with SAVMA! 💙 Be Bold. Make Change on November 5, 2025. International Volunteer Managers Day (IVMDay)  — is a global celebration of the professionals who power volunteerism through strategy, heart, and leadership. This year’s theme, “Be Bold. Make Change.”, perfectly captures the courage, creativity, and innovation that volunteer engagement professionals (VEPs) demonstrate across Southern Arizona every single day. At [...]

  • Mary Zier Community Service Recognition

Mary Zier: Community Service Recognition

Mary Zier: Community Service Recognition Mary Zier has been an amazing volunteer to work with at the Children's Museum Tucson for the past year. She brings her positive energy and enthusiasm to the weekly program she volunteers for, Discovery Nights. Mary is always excited to learn new craft activities.  She facilitate the crafts during Discovery Nights and has wonderful engagement with children and their families. Mary is so consistent and [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Mary Zier: Community Service Recognition
  • Rick Witt Community Service Recognition smiling on a Habitat construction site

Rick Witt: Community Service Recognition

Rick Witt: Community Service Recognition Rick has been a dedicated volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Tucson for the past six years, contributing an impressive 1,500+ hours of his time and expertise. Splitting his year between Wisconsin and Tucson, Rick also lends his skills to Habitat in Wisconsin, showcasing his deep commitment to our mission of building quality homes and stronger communities. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Rick has [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Rick Witt: Community Service Recognition
  • Ken Johnson and Shadow Community Service Recognition

Ken Johnson & Shadow: Community Service Recognition

  Ken Johnson & Shadow: Community Service Recognition Tucson Medical Center (TMC) enthusiastically nominates volunteer Ken Johnson and his therapy dog, Shadow. Ken and Shadow have visited the hospital almost daily for six years. Ken and Shadow quickly became a TMC fixture, visiting the lobbies and units every morning. Ken’s visits were so frequent that he struck a strong friendship with many TMC employees. Though Shadow is a one-hundred-and-twenty-pound bull [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Ken Johnson & Shadow: Community Service Recognition

Karl Hoffman: Community Service Recognition

Karl Hoffman: Community Service Recognition Karl Hoffman has been a dedicated volunteer at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona for over five years, contributing more than 1,680 hours of service. Known for his unwavering commitment and leadership, Karl volunteers three days a week, often arriving early and staying late to ensure critical tasks are completed. As a leader in the Emergency Food Box Production area, Karl plays a vital [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Karl Hoffman: Community Service Recognition

Jesus Hernandez Galindo: Community Service Recognition

Jesus Hernandez Galindo: Community Service Recognition Jesus Hernandez is a dedicated and passionate volunteer with Literacy Connects' Adult Basic Literacy programs. His journey began as a student in an English Language Acquisition for Adults (ELAA) class, where his love for learning and teaching flourished. In 2021, Jesus transitioned from student to volunteer, where he discovered his talents in teaching as part of the Spanish language GED program. During the Covid-19 [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Jesus Hernandez Galindo: Community Service Recognition
  • Sharon Foltz Community Service Recognition Sharon smiling while hugging bulldog Winston

Sharon Foltz: Community Service Recognition

Sharon Foltz: Community Service Recognition Raised in rural Ohio, Sharon Burrier Foltz started volunteering with her parents and grandparents early at school and church, and she helped neighbors. Volunteering with developmentally disabled children in high school led to teaching, then becoming a Volunteer Administrator for the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and serving on the Greater Columbus United Way, her first of hundreds of boards and committees. [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Sharon Foltz: Community Service Recognition

Tom Crowly: Community Service Recognition

Tom Crowly: Community Service Recognition Tom is organized, a great communicator, and enthusiastic about dogs and the joy they create- to owners and to those they interact with. This is why the number of Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) teams in Pima County has more than doubled, from 40 to 99 teams, since he volunteered to be a trainer and coordinator five years ago. Tom has volunteered with ATD for [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Tom Crowly: Community Service Recognition

Rebecca Crane: Community Service Recognition

Rebecca Crane: Community Service Recognition Rebecca Crane is a Realtor and Team Owner of Signature Group at Real Broker, and she served as the 2024 Board of Directors Chair for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona. Her journey with the organization began in 2014 as a founding member of the Advocacy Board for Young Professionals, and she has been on the Board of Directors since 2019. Rebecca’s commitment to [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Rebecca Crane: Community Service Recognition

Johanna Cordero: Community Service Recognition

Johanna Cordero: Community Service Recognition With a passion for poverty alleviation, Johanna Cordero has been teaching financial literacy throughout her banking career the past 19 years. She is tireless in her support for the Tucson community as she comes from humble beginnings and knows what it is to struggle. She wants to help offer her financial expertise to give people tools to break out of the cycle of poverty. Johanna [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Johanna Cordero: Community Service Recognition

El Rio Vecinos: Community Service Recognition

El Rio Vecinos: Community Service Recognition Since 2013, the El Rio Vecinos Block Party event proceeds have supported El Rio Community Health Center's patients and programs. In 2024 this young professionals volunteer group crossed a milestone by raising more than $1,000,000! Proceeds from their 2025 "Run for the Roses" May 3rd Block Party will help provide 175-200 free mammogram screenings for women who are uninsured and have no other resources. [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on El Rio Vecinos: Community Service Recognition
  • Charlotte Bruntmyer Community Service Recognition SAVMA 2025

Charlotte Bruntmyer: Community Service Recognition

Charlotte Bruntmyer: Community Service Recognition Charlotte Bruntmyer began volunteering with Aviva in October 2022 and has completed over 450 volunteer hours. Her warm smile welcomes the 200-300 youth served monthly at the Community Resource Program, who need emergency resources like clothing, socks, underwear, shoes, hygiene items, beds, and car seats for youth and families involved with the Department of Child Safety (DCS). Like a retail store, the Resource Room allows [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: , , |Comments Off on Charlotte Bruntmyer: Community Service Recognition

Cydne Bolton: Community Service Recognition

Cydne Bolton: Community Service Recognition Cydne Bolton has called Tucson home for over 40 years. She is currently the Training Manager for the Adult Basic Literacy Program at Literacy Connects, a non-profit organization with the mission of connecting people of all ages to a world of opportunities through literacy and creative expression. Cydne considers herself to be a lifelong learner and educator. Her positions in elementary education, logistics, juvenile corrections, [...]

By |January 17th, 2025|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Comments Off on Cydne Bolton: Community Service Recognition

2025 Proposed SAVMA Leadership

2025 Proposed SAVMA Leadership The Governance and Administration Committee of the Board of Directors is presenting the 2025 proposed SAVMA Leadership. The link to submit interest in a leadership position is perpetually open, as all members are encouraged to take up leadership. The annual meeting is December 12th. If you still need to register, please do so here so we have enough food and beverages. Board of Directors Officers (terms [...]

By |December 1st, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, SAVMA Programs, Sponsors|Tags: |Comments Off on 2025 Proposed SAVMA Leadership
  • Sandra Wong: Volunteer Recognition

Sandra Wong: Volunteer Recognition

Sandra Wong: Volunteer Recognition Sandra Wong: Volunteer Recognition recipient was born at TMC and grew up in Marana and Tucson. After receiving an engineering degree from the University of Arizona, she moved to California to pursue a career in aerospace. She enjoyed her time working on satellite systems, but eventually she tired of the California life and missed the Sonoran dessert. Upon her return to Tucson, she continued work as [...]

By |January 17th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: , |Comments Off on Sandra Wong: Volunteer Recognition
  • Heather Volpe Community Service Recognition

Heather Volpe: Community Service Recognition

Heather Volpe: Community Service Recognition Raquel Cooley from Nova Home Loans would like to recognize Heather Volpe with a Community Service Recognition. She is a nurturing mother with a heart committed to service. Heather embarked on her remarkable volunteer journey over 20 years ago. Her altruistic path began at the Tucson Community School, where she actively participated in the parent co-op, fostering an early appreciation for community engagement in her [...]

By |January 17th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: , |Comments Off on Heather Volpe: Community Service Recognition
  • Zainab Rana Community Service Recognition Children's Museum Tucson

Zainab Rana: Community Service Recognition

Zainab Rana: Community Service Recognition Children's Museum Tucson celebrated Discovery Nights volunteer, Zainab Rana: Community Service Recognition recipient at the SAVMA Awards 2024.  Zainab has been volunteering regularly during Discovery Nights programming at the Children's Museum Tucson helping run the program alongside paid staff members. Discovery Night is every Thursday evening and it is free admission during the time the program runs, so they see many visitors. Zainab helps run [...]

By |January 16th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: |Comments Off on Zainab Rana: Community Service Recognition
  • Eric Majchrzak: Community Service Recognition

Eric Majchrzak: Community Service Recognition

Eric Majchrzak: Community Service Recognition Eric Majchrzak, Community Service Recognition recipient from ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation willingly gives his time and experience. He helps grow the Center’s Leadership Council into a collection of champions, who fully align to advance the mission. As a result of Eric’s leadership, our Center realizes greater levels of achievement and impact than ever in our 25-year history. Eric is a volunteer [...]

By |January 14th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: , , |Comments Off on Eric Majchrzak: Community Service Recognition
  • Larry Housner: Community Service Recognition

Community Food Bank Honors Larry Housner Community Service Recognition

Larry Housner Community Service Recognition The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona would like to present their 2024 honoree Larry Housner, Community Service Recognition. We are proud to express our deepest gratitude to Larry Housner for his outstanding dedication and unwavering commitment to the mission. Since March of 2020, Larry has been an invaluable member of our volunteer team, standing out as a shining example of selflessness and compassion. One [...]

By |January 13th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: |Comments Off on Community Food Bank Honors Larry Housner Community Service Recognition
  • Volunteer management association member at Habitat for Humanity Tucson.

Art Hoffman: Community Service Recognition

Art Hoffman: Community Service Recognition Arthur Hoffman is a Community Service Recognition recipient for his loyal volunteer service to Habitat for Humanity Tucson since 2011. Contributing in countless ways, Art not only gives Habitat Tucson his precious time, but the gift of wisdom, skills, and tremendous professional experience. In his time with Habitat Tucson, he leads the IT efforts, participates in construction, lays new flooring, attends and builds at events [...]

By |January 12th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: |Comments Off on Art Hoffman: Community Service Recognition
  • Volunteer management association member outdoors on patio.

Fredericka Hills: Community Service Recognition

Fredericka Hills: Community Service Recognition Interfaith Community Services nominated Fredericka Hills for the Community Service Recognition. Her volunteering shows the love to empower and teach others. Since 2015, she has volunteered with Workforce Development, helping job seekers find employment, for instance. Fredericka works with clients to update their résumés by listening and identifying their skills, building up their confidence and teaching them how to get hired and stay hired. About [...]

By |January 11th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: |Comments Off on Fredericka Hills: Community Service Recognition
  • Aimee Graves Community Service Recognition

Aimee Graves: Community Service Recognition

Aimee Graves: Community Service Recognition As the CEO of The Haven, Aimee Graves: Community Service Recognition was a perfect fit.  is a nonprofit professional who selflessly invests in emerging leaders through her volunteer work with Community Foundation for Southern Arizona's Center for Healthy Nonprofits. She imparts lessons learned, and offers expert guidance. Her legacy of generosity inspires a mentorship pathway for nonprofit leaders today and into the future. Supporting her [...]

By |January 9th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: , , , |Comments Off on Aimee Graves: Community Service Recognition
  • Volunteer standing on rocks near waterfall at nature outdoor trail.

Community Service Recognition: James Geringer

Community Service Recognition: James Geringer Easterseals Blake Foundation honored event volunteer with a Community Service Recognition. James Geringer is flexible and versatile, two skills that serve the organization well in his role as a special event volunteer. Additionally, the the events team describe him as passionate, reliable, cooperative, patient, creative, energetic, positive, willing to help, compassionate and organized. Without ever being asked, and with a smile on his face, James [...]

By |January 8th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: , |Comments Off on Community Service Recognition: James Geringer
  • Community Service Recognition: Linda Down Reid Park Zoo Docent

Community Service Recognition: Linda Down

Community Service Recognition: Linda Down Reid Park Zoo honors retired educator and volunteer Docent, with Community Service Recognition: to Linda Down! As a volunteer Docent, Linda engages Reid Park Zoo guests by utilizing interpretive artifact stations and handling small animals, educating about species natural history, individual history, and conveying conservation messaging and actions; she is instrumental in furthering the Zoo’s mission “to create inspiring memories for all by connecting people [...]

By |January 7th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors, Uncategorized|Tags: |Comments Off on Community Service Recognition: Linda Down
  • Gabriela Cervantes Community Service Recognition

Gabriela Cervantes: Community Service Recognition

Gabriela Cervantes: Community Service Recognition Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona submitted Gabriela Cervantes for Community Service Recognition in 2024. She is a Marketing Specialist for Snell & Wilmer, and the founder of Gabriela with one L Consulting. Additionally she facilitates University of Arizona courses, is an Independent Fora Travel Advisor, serves on the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona Board of Directors and is a "Big Sister." [...]

By |January 6th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: |Comments Off on Gabriela Cervantes: Community Service Recognition
  • Community Service Recognition: Alexis Carreon

Community Service Recognition: Alexis Carreon

Community Service Recognition: Alexis Carreon Children's Clinics honors Weekly In-Clinic & Adaptive Recreation Volunteer with a Community Service Recognition: Alexis Carreon! Alexis is a full-time honors college student at the University of Arizona. She fills her time with volunteering, athletics, and creative activities. Alexis is majoring in physiology and medical sciences and has her eye on being a physical therapist. After seeing a posting in a newsletter on campus, she [...]

By |January 5th, 2024|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events, Sponsors|Tags: , |Comments Off on Community Service Recognition: Alexis Carreon
  • Introducing AmeriCorps Member Lillian hiking in the Gila Wilderness, AZ

Introducing AmeriCorps Member Lillian

Introducing AmeriCorps Member Lillian Through a partnership with Arizona Serve, SAVMA leadership is introducing AmeriCorps member Lillian Ledner to our members. Lillian was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where she attended Mountain View High School, and graduated in 2008. She attends Pima Community College, and proudly is an 8- year Crew Member at Trader Joes. Markedly, inspired by a volunteer experience through the Jett Foundation at Camp Promise, Lillian [...]

By |December 26th, 2023|Categories: Member Share, Member Stories, VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Comments Off on Introducing AmeriCorps Member Lillian
  • Presenting the Public Allies Arizona 2024

Presenting the Public Allies Arizona 2024

Presenting Public Allies Arizona 2024 SAVMA Leadership takes pleasure in presenting the Public Allies Arizona 2023-2024 class to the volunteer engagement professionals of Southern Arizona. The AmeriCorps program is operated by the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, unquestionably, a valued civic partner of volunteer managers. Therefore, Public Allies Arizona is a perfect addition to the service programs SAVMA is proud to promote. Building a Brighter Future: Public [...]

By |November 17th, 2023|Categories: Member Share, Member Stories|Comments Off on Presenting the Public Allies Arizona 2024
  • 2024 Proposed SAVMA Leadership

2024 Proposed SAVMA Leadership

2024 Proposed SAVMA Leadership The SAVMA Board of Directors would like to present the 2024 proposed SAVMA Leadership. To identify barriers to leadership, the Willing and Able Leadership Survey opened September 1st, posing four questions about willingness and ability to serve. The results of that data will be presented in 2024 blog posts. Those identified as willing and able to serve (and qualified) are hereby presented as your leadership team [...]

By |November 1st, 2023|Categories: Member Stories, SAVMA Events|Comments Off on 2024 Proposed SAVMA Leadership

Ask a Volunteer Manager: Alexander Swain

Q&A with Alexander Alexander Swain is the Volunteer Services Coordinator at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Originally from a town near Ann Arbor, Michigan, Alexander studied Biology at Hope College in Holland, MI. After graduating, he attended the University of PIttsburgh to get a Masters degree in Neuroscience. Alexander has also recently been elected to the SAVMA Board of Directors for 2021. Alexander Swain [...]

By |February 6th, 2021|Categories: Member Stories|Comments Off on Ask a Volunteer Manager: Alexander Swain

Ask Volunteer Manager: Genie Patterson

Get to Know Genie Patterson   Genie Patterson, Volunteer Manager works at Heartland Hospice. Born in Tucson, Arizona, she graduated from the University of Arizona with BA in Anthropology and Museum Studies while working in the family business. Her family was in the restaurant business for 62 years in Tucson.     SAVMA'S Ask a Volunteer Manager Series To be featured in this series, email [...]

By |January 4th, 2021|Categories: Member Stories|Comments Off on Ask Volunteer Manager: Genie Patterson

Volunteer Background Check? A Question from the field

Volunteer background checks Question from the field: a company referral SAVMA Member TIHAN, would like to know, "what volunteer background check company does your organization use and would you recommend them?" SAVMA members may respond in the comments below. Do you have a question from the field? SAVMA members are encouraged to send their questions forward for member feedback and brainstorming. Even if you do not receive an answer publicly on [...]

By |October 7th, 2020|Categories: Member Share, Member Stories|Comments Off on Volunteer Background Check? A Question from the field

Nominate a Volunteer for a Daily Point of Light Award

Nominate for a Daily Point of Light Award Southern Arizona recognition at the national level means VEPs can nomination for a daily Point of Light Award during National Volunteer Week. During this week in particular we celebrate the power of volunteers to make a difference, and recognize extraordinary individuals who are at the center of social change. Nominate an extraordinary volunteer in your community for a Daily Point of Light [...]

By |April 11th, 2016|Categories: Member Stories, Uncategorized, VEP Ecosystem Offerings|Tags: , , , |Comments Off on Nominate a Volunteer for a Daily Point of Light Award

Military Veteran Women’s Expo

Military Veteran Women's Expo Military Veteran Women's Expo 2016, presented by Tucson Veterans Serving Veterans, on Saturday, March 19th, click here for more details. Women veteran leaders and key event partners to offer this unique event to Arizona's women veterans in 2016. The Arizona Department of Veterans' Services brought many dedicated community partners together to make the event successful. Women Veterans NOT using VA Benefits and Services? Women Veterans NOT [...]

By |February 8th, 2016|Categories: Member Share, Member Stories|Comments Off on Military Veteran Women’s Expo