5 Questions With Susan Moody About Big Brothers,Big Sisters

Susan Moody

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Susan Moody

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Susan Moody volunteers with Big Brothers,Big Sisters. We sat down with her to learn more about her and her love of volunteering, and some great events coming up with Big Brothers, Big Sisters that you will not want to miss.

1.

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Born in Washington State, my parents were educators in the public school system and I was the youngest of three siblings. My father was a coach and at one time my coach. He continued to coach me from the sidelines in college level track. While it took a lot of his time away from our family, I was proud of his leadership and eventually ended up coaching myself. In college I spent some time living and working in an adult family home with Alzheimer’s patients and their families. I also had an internship working to provide mentors for one parent child families that were trying to manage childcare and parenting issues and get training for employment. I recall the first time my pager went off and I was asked to pick up some children and take them to a crisis nursery to keep them safe while their mother prepared to take them to a family shelter. While it was startling, I knew that non-profit programs that helped vulnerable populations, young and old, were essential. I found joy in most situations others had a hard time talking about because I knew in some small or rather big way I was helping others move ahead and realize their potential.

 

2

Share with us one of your first volunteer memories?

I graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Sociology. I partnered with the Washington State Department of Developmental Disabilities interfacing with business leaders to seek meaningful and permanent job placement for special populations. This was both exciting and challenging. On a typical day I would check on a gentleman that had characteristics of the character played by Dustin Hoffman in The Rain Man, spend time with occupational therapists helping to build accommodations for another client’s job, visit client homes, visit with parents and residential programs, and then spend time washing dishes with one of my favorite guys at Taco Bell. The experience allowed me to look at other people’s lives and challenges from a different perspective; theirs not mine. It taught me to listen and to hear people’s hearts. After marrying my husband, who was also a coach like my father, and having our first child, I volunteered in the nursing home with my infant son. Seeing the joy on the residents faces meant a lot to me. Helping families understand that they were not alone meant a lot too.

3

What do you say  to families about becoming a volunteer?

The importance of teaching volunteerism to our children while starting at an early age became our family mission. Whether it be making applesauce in the group kitchen or letting some of the sweet ladies sing my son a lullabye, this was where I experienced the magic of servanthood with my own children and not long after I recruited some other new mommies at the local library playgroup to do the same. I enjoyed beating the typical baby blues, one stroller at a time. Connecting others once again gave my life additional purpose. A year later I chose to take a job in the computer software world and ,while scary at first, my relationship building skills helped me become a great salesperson.

4

Tell us where you spend your time volunteering now?

My family returned from Hong Kong a year ago and and I currently volunteer for Couture for a Cause in Brentwood, TN. CFAC is a 501(c)(3) non profit resale boutique in Brentwood, TN. Donations of high end designer clothing and accessories are accepted and sold to benefit the charity of the donor’s choice. Donors receive a donation receipt and it ALL goes to help local agencies! It is this kind of out of the box approach to serving our community that excites me the most. Founder, Patricia Apple sums it up best, “We cannot do the good the world needs, but the world needs all the good we can do.”

I am not employed by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle TN. I was chosen by the board to run for “Queen of the Vines” for the Franklin Wine Festival to promote awareness and raise money for the program. Currently there is a long waiting list of children ready to be matched and I am committed to encourage adults to become “Bigs” and for our entire community to look at the vital role that mentorship plays in bring up our children to be future leaders.

5

Why did you chose to volunteer with Big Brothers, Big Sisters?

I believe in Big Brothers Big Sisters’ emphasis on building community through mentorship. I am reminded the importance of giving children a stable positive force as we have two third culture children and a husband who continues to travel. The pressures faced by kids in a changing world makes this program vital and I am committed to help raise awareness for it in non traditional ways that involve our entire community.

I believe charity begins and ends in the hearts of people and at home. I know Williamson County is a blessed area to live and I’m proud to call Middle Tennessee home. Mentors are important for us all, regardless of age, race, religion, or socioeconomic background.

While I am hosting several different fundraising opportunities for the public, I am most excited about the Community Family Fun Night on Saturday, October 3rd.

Thanks so much to Susan Moody for taking time out to talk with us and don’t forget about Family Fun Night at A-Game in Cool Springs on Oct 3rd from 6-9pm.
Activities include:  Nashville Bubble Balls, Dodgeball Competition, Dance Party, Jenny’s Camp Brick LEGO FUN, Laser Chase Laser Tag, Zumbathon and a special appearance and demonstration by weightlifting professional and advocate of mentorship, Matt Poe of Poe’s Gym and “Creating Separation”.

Learn more about the event here.

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