Volunteer Spotlight: Shelby!

Bridging The Gap (BTG) engages more than 1,500 volunteers each year across a wide range of programming. Occasionally, we’ll feature a volunteer in our spotlight to celebrate their service and to give our supporters a behind-the-scenes glimpse of why individuals choose to volunteer with us! Want to volunteer?  Reach out to Amy Smith, Volunteer Services Manager, at 816-561-1062 or email volunteer@bridgingthegap.org!

 

Today, we’re featuring Shelby, a devoted Recycling Center Phone Bank volunteer!  Shelby has been volunteering with BTG since November 2015, and helps out for a two hours once a month.  We recently celebrated her two-year anniversary with a giant (calorie free) cupcake made out of recyclable materials! Some of you may remember the cupcake from our 2017 Recycled Gala-ry fundraiser.

Shelby’s role is to call fellow BTG volunteers who have previously served at one of our Recycling Centers and ask to schedule them for another Recycling Center shift. She feels that volunteering with BTG is important because “I know that, no matter what volunteer position I am choosing to lend my time to, I am helping my peers, my community and society overall toward a more “green” and more sustainable planet.”

If Shelby had a magic wand to fix one environmental issue, she would focus on plastic waste.  Holding the companies accountable that produce the waste and advocating for the use of biodegradable plant-based alternatives are top priority. “This should be the business’ responsibility, NOT the consumer.”

In addition to recycling, her other favorite hobbies include playing with her 16-year old orange tabby and her recently adopted kitty from KC Pet Project, hula hooping and listening to Brother David Steindl-Rast’s meditation, “A Grateful Day”, which she highly recommends to everyone!

Favorite quote: “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”

Thanks to Shelby’s dedication, the Recycling Centers operate efficiently with engaged volunteers!