Joie Gibson '15 '18G

Get to Know Our May 2019 Honoree

Joie Gibson '15 '18G has a true passion for supporting her local area and the SNHU community. Joie has been involved in everything she can: participating in virtual Homecoming activities; sharing a virtual job shadow as a @WorkingPenmen Twitter Takeover host; and leading a Global Days of Service project for two consecutive years. Read more below to learn why she continues to give back to SNHU all the way from Fort Worth, TX. 

What inspires you to volunteer at SNHU?

While I am not on campus, I feel like Southern New Hampshire University instilled an even greater sense of community in me than I already had. The folks at SNHU, faculty, staff, and fellow Penmen, are some of the most positive and caring I have ever met. Their commitment and excitement about giving back, both to the student body and their community, has pushed me to get creative when I look around my community to see what is needed. There is so much we can do!

What do you enjoy most about volunteering at SNHU?

I love getting to know my fellow Penmen. This past Global Days of Service, I hosted an event (Hot Dogs and Hope) to help feed the underserved in downtown Fort Worth. Two awesome Penmen came along to help and even toughed it out in the rain! These are folks I never would have connected with otherwise.

What results have you seen from your efforts?

The underserved people in our community have come to recognize Hot Dogs and Hope not only as a group they can get a home cooked meal from, but a place to get a smile and some kind words. Additionally, as we bring more one-time volunteers to help out, many end up becoming regular volunteers, helping on so many levels. This really helps to grow our group and increase the amount of people we can serve.

Did anything unexpected happen as a result of your volunteer activities?

I made some new friends. I’m not referring the great people who volunteer with us; I’m talking about the amazing folks we serve. We have gotten to know quite a few since we have been showing up downtown for about two years now. For example, I always have to warn my friend (Donald) if something contains rice, because over time I have gotten to know him well enough to learn he is allergic to it. It is truly special to be able to get to know people on such a personal level because it tightens our community bond.

Will you continue to volunteer at SNHU? Why?

I absolutely will continue to represent SNHU through my volunteer work. It’s important to spread the word that SNHU is more than a school; it’s a community.

Will you encourage others to get involved? How?

Oh, yes! I use social media quite a bit to let folks know what we are up to. As a result, we have increased our volunteer base. The new volunteers tell their friends, and they tell their friends, and on and on…

Additional Comments:

If anyone wants to help out with Hot Dogs and Hope, no matter what part of the country or world you live in, contact me at johannashimmy@gmail.com, and we can chat!

 

Past Volunteer Spotlight Honorees