June HOPE Hero: Dawn - HOPE Chest Manager  💜

 

About our HOPE Hero:                                     

Dawn is originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan. She has a long history working in the customer service industry; starting at the age of 10 pouring root beer at her family’s drive-in diner. She is the Manager at the HOPE Chest Thrift Store (HOPE Chest) which is open to the public and serves as a resource for survivors of domestic violence to receive items they need to be successful. Dawn describes HOPE Chest as, “A wonderful place to find awesome treasures, while supporting survivors of domestic violence.”

What motivates you to work with HOPE?

I’m one of the lucky ones and I truly can’t wait to get to work in the morning! Just knowing that what we do every day helps change lives for the better is the biggest motivating factor for me. Just think, together with donors and shoppers, we are making a difference in our community.

Describe the most incredible view you’ve ever seen.

Seeing Lake Michigan from 3,500 feet up while skydiving. It was amazing how quiet it was up there and just so beautiful. 

What advice would you give to a future volunteer?

Our motto at the HOPE Chest is, “We get serious about having fun.” So, my advice would be, have fun and always remember by volunteering for HOPE you are saving lives. It doesn’t get better than that!

Describe yourself using only film titles.

Let's see... Beaches, Airplane, and some days it can feel like One Flew Over the Cuckoo‘s Nest. But those are some of my most favorite days!

What have you learned on the job? 

I've learned to never judge a book by its cover, and just how far a healthy dose of patience, kindness, and respect can go. Another big one for me is how much I still have to learn and grow.

 

We truly appreciate all of your hard work and dedication to our mission!

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