Throughout April, we are celebrating National Volunteer Month and the individuals who give their time to volunteering in their communities and for causes they care about. Anita Kelly, clinical contract advisor for Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania, along with a group of colleagues will be volunteering for the Rails to Trails Conservatory, a national organization, to Celebrate Trails Day on April 26.

Continue reading to learn more about how Anita and her team plan to celebrate Trails Day in Pennsylvania counties:

What volunteer work do you participate in and for what organizations?

This year, many of us from the various counties around Pennsylvania are volunteering to do cleanup work on the Rails to Trails paths within our communities. Since the pandemic, most of us are working from home and only gathering once or twice a year. This volunteer opportunity provides us with a chance to get together with our coworkers in a relaxed environment, while simultaneously providing a service to the community and getting out and enjoying a beautiful spring day!

How did you get involved volunteering for this organization?

This will mark the first year that Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania is taking on the Rails to Trails in our communities, but we have had such a great response from everyone that I really hope this becomes an annual event. The Rails to Trails organizations were very appreciative of our willingness to get involved and help with the annual trail cleanup job. These organizations rely on community volunteers to maintain the trails and keep them in good condition for all to enjoy.

Why is it important for others to volunteer in their communities?

It is the responsibility of those of us who do have resources to spread love, hope and joy to help others in our communities who lack necessary resources. When I volunteered for Meals on Wheels, my eyes were opened to the plight of some of our senior citizens. Many of those individuals also just wanted the opportunity to be able to connect with other individuals to combat loneliness.

Is there anything else about the importance of National Volunteer Week you’d like to highlight?

It’s important to introduce the notion of volunteering in your community to children at a young age. It’s also important that they see adults who they respect and admire engaging in volunteer activities within the community.

National Volunteer Month serves as a pivotal reminder of the invaluable contributions volunteers make to communities nationwide. Throughout April, we’re celebrating the selflessness, dedication, and impact of those who generously give their time, skills, and resources to support the causes and organizations they believe in. National Volunteer Month not only honors those individuals who devote themselves to volunteerism, but also inspire others to join in and find a cause they’re passionate about. Talia Hammer, manager, network development, OCONUS MFLC/PFC, is an active volunteer with Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support. Talia was also the first-place recipient of the Barry Smith Caring Award and was awarded a $5,000 donation for Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss, an organization that has significant meaning to Talia. Continue reading to learn more about the volunteer work Talia does with Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss:

What volunteer work do you participate in and for what organizations?

I am currently very active in volunteering with Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support to help parents who have experienced the heartache of a pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or infant death. I became a trained Parent Companion and co-facilitate grief support groups offering peer support to other bereaved families. I served on the Parent Panel and was filmed telling my story at a Sharing and Caring Training to trained professionals in the community to learn how to serve families at their time of loss. I became Share’s first Social Media Ambassador to increase awareness about Share and baby loss through personal advocacy on Facebook and Instagram. I volunteer with an open heart and generosity of my time serving on event planning committees, help with the annual walk, plan, and volunteer at fundraisers. I am the Secretary of the Social Board and attend every Share event and I organize a donation drive yearly on my daughter’s birthday to give items to the Share office in honor of her.

How did you get involved with this organization and volunteering in general? How long have you been volunteering?

In November 2016, our daughter was born at 32 weeks gestation and lived for 35 minutes as she was born with no kidneys. After the loss of my daughter, I turned to Share for help with my grief. Two years later, I decided I wanted to give back to other grieving parents. I have been volunteering with Share for the past 5 years. Volunteering with Share is how I keep my daughter’s memory alive.

Why is it important for others to volunteer in their communities?

It is important for others to volunteer in their community as there are many non-profit organizations that depend on volunteers to help the organization operate daily and to give back to the community in need. With the wide range of organizations that need volunteers, I believe there is something out there for everyone to volunteer and to give their time.  Find the organization or organizations that is closest to your heart and donate your time to them as they will forever be thankful for all the help they receive. When you find commonality with others who have experienced what you have, volunteering will come so easily.

Is there anything else about what National Volunteer Week you’d like to highlight (could also highlight specific organization)?

In 2023, I received the Heart and Hands volunteer of the year award from Share. Statistics show that 1 in 4 families experience pregnancy/infant loss and I’m honored to partner with Share to help bereaved parents find hope and healing, all while honoring my daughter’s life. I feel very luck to work for Magellan who also gives us Volunteer Time Off (VTO) hours to be able to help our community. I appreciate the opportunities Magellan offers to us to help make the world a better place.

Throughout the month of April, we are celebrating National Volunteer Month. We’re expressing our gratitude to all individuals who donate their time and resources to local or national efforts. In this spotlight are three Magellan Health employees who explain why they volunteer and what organizations are most important to them:

• Stephen Towns, director of project & program management, Magellan of Virginia
• Matthew Podjeski, vice president, Human Resources
• Barb Borowy, administrative assistant II

Continue reading to learn more about how Barb, Stephen, and Matthew donate their time:

What volunteer work do you participate in and for what organizations?

Stephen: In 2016, I launched a church campaign to help remove the stigma of mental illness among Black Americans. I began lecturing and teaching classes throughout the faith-based community to eradicate the demonization of those with a mental illness, inform our community on suicide prevention, and offer alternative solutions for substance abuse.

Shortly after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a government-sponsored food program approached me, seeking a partnership with our ministry to distribute food to our community. In August 2020, we began distributing over 36,000 pounds of food to our community every Saturday morning. At our peak, we had several Saturdays where we gave away over 72,000 pounds of food in less than three hours! The community embraced our ministry, and in March of 2021, we secured the building where we currently reside. Last month, we graciously accepted an award for a grant to sponsor a program I created, “Eat Well – Be Well,” which allows us to distribute $400 of fresh fruits and vegetables bi-weekly to a senior community we adopted. Helping to overcome the health disparities of aged people of color has been a tremendously joyful experience. We hope that if even in a small way, we can positively move the bar for the health of this community.

Matthew: I volunteer at Canterbury Enterprises, an organization that provides meaningful and nurturing onsite employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Our entire focus is on creating a supportive, engaging, and respectful workplace for folks whose abilities may not align with traditional workplaces. At Canterbury, our associates are part of a team, they are proud of the work they do, and everyone is dedicated to making it the best experience for each of our associates, as well as for their families. It has been fascinating learning the intricacies of running a sheltered workshop and navigating the legislative, accreditation, and business development opportunities involved, while never losing focus on those we serve – the employees who work at Canterbury.

I am also on the board for Clare’s House. Similarly, when my friend Terry Economos told me her vision for helping seniors and people who are challenged to keep their beloved family dog at home, I knew I wanted to dive in. Clare’s House walks dogs for people who cannot; we take beloved family dogs to visit their owners in assisted living and in rehab facilities. We offer fostering for those temporary periods where the owner is not able to care for their dog. We take dogs to groomers and help pay for medications and surgeries for folks who would otherwise consider relinquishing their beloved furry friend to a shelter. Clare’s House partners with VA centers and other facilities to support their residents to house their family pets if they cannot.

I also have the pleasure of providing leadership and support for the passionate group of Magellan employees who affiliate with the Maryland Heights (St. Louis), MO office, and volunteer to lead awareness and fundraising efforts for our highlighted local charities. Each year, these employees to select the charities to be highlighted for the year. The planning team initiates communication campaigns, onsite volunteering activities, and general awareness. In 2022, our employees touched the lives of many people in our communities, raising over $28,000 in donations.

Barb: Although I continue to actively support NAMI Maryland and the Maryland Food Bank locally, I’m currently focusing my efforts on donating to organizations, rather than in-person volunteering.

How did you get involved with this organization and volunteering in general? How long have you been volunteering?

Stephen: In 2016, I accepted the invitation to lead the Glen Allen VA chapter of Magellan Cares where I created the first onsite volunteer fair. Our Magellan Cares team engaged our coworkers to attend and commit to volunteering. The fair resulted in over a hundred employees signing up to volunteer at participating organizations.

Matthew: I started at Canterbury in 2015 where my friend served as the executive director. I shared with my friend that I was interested in volunteering and knowing I work in Human Resources, he recommended I join the board of Canterbury. I started volunteering at Clare’s House in 2020, the Women’s Safe House in 2002, and Room at the Inn in 2014.

Barb: I joined the company in 1992 and was quickly asked to join the newly forming Community Affairs Committee. Our focus was supporting NAMI Maryland and United Way of Central Maryland. Once our Columbia presence grew, we added support to American Red Cross with monetary donations and blood drives held at the office, Toys for Tots during the Holidays, Grass Roots (a Howard County organization dedicated to assisting victims of domestic violence), and the Maryland Food Bank. Recently we participated in and obtained a corporate sponsorship for the 2022 Walk to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Additionally, we are currently gearing up for the upcoming 2023 NAMI Walks event.

Why is it important for others to volunteer in their communities?

Stephen: When we can find commonality with others, despite our racial, political, ideological, cultural, or socioeconomic differences, that commonality can overshadow any differences and fulfill our human need for community. When that human need is fulfilled, it motivates us to want to do our part, not just for ourselves, but for others. And, particularly for those who are unable to do for themselves.

Matthew: I hope Volunteer Month serves as the bright light that gets you thinking about how you can help, and whose lives you can touch, at any time of the year.  There are so many people and families in our local communities who struggle in one way or another.

Barb: As Magellan employees, we are fortunate to be able to help and most have a cause dear to their hearts. All small donations add up, and participation in a local event that raises awareness and visibility to an organization that is personally important can be life altering to someone in need.

Is there anything else about what National Volunteer Month you’d like to highlight?

Stephen: Magellan employees are fortunate to work for a company that encourages everyone to volunteer. Many non-profit organizations are dependent on people like us who are willing to volunteer and help others in need.

Matthew: Thank you to those people who had a vision to create a service or pull a group of like-minded people together to help meet those needs. Vision is not enough – to make a vision a reality, organizations depend on people who have similar passions and a desire to make the world a better place for others.

Barb: I, personally, am a huge supporter of the American Red Cross. In most cases, they are first on the scene of natural disasters, man-made disasters, personal disasters, or wherever assistance is most needed. Then there are the blood donation management efforts. It just seems like, whatever is needed, the Red Cross is always there; and I try to be there for them!

Read more about additional volunteer work done by Magellan Health employees in the communities we serve here.