Thrive! Leaders give back

​“It’s fantastic, I love it! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and being able to do this for the kids is just great,” explains Jennifer Polopolus-Meredith.  

Jennifer’s excitement is contagious — and so is her sense of accomplishment. She is one of the first Thrive! leaders to plan an event. (Jennifer is pictured, dressed in her cat costume, in the photo on the right. She is pictured with Nicholle Scheibe, Thrive! youth programming volunteer.)    

“Last year, I planned the party,” states Susan Wendland, Thrive! Youth Program and Resource Development Coordinator. “This year a leader and volunteer planned the party.  It’s very empowering. Jennifer and Nicholle met with our executive director to plan the event. They provided me a list, and I simply went shopping!”

Thrive! leaders are area-residents seeking to improve their quality of life.  Leaders commit to an 18-month program that meets weekly. Reaching a place of giving back is a significant milestone.  

Another Thrive! Leader taking a leadership role is Aimee Berges. Known for her baking skills, Aimee volunteered to be head cook for the Young Trustees Chili Cook-Off held in November.  Partnering with fellow Thrive! Leader Marcus Newman, they made Southwest White Bean Chicken Chili. 

Wendland summarizes the day like a proud parent. “Aimee planned the theme.The team was up at 5 a.m. and cooking by 8:30 a.m. Aimee had samples of her baked goods and business cards for Aimee’s Kitchen. It was so rewarding watching the two take charge. No words can express what I felt. It was their day!”
 
Special thanks to The Trust Company for sponsoring Thrive! in the delicious chili event. Scroll down a few posts to see photos from the cook-off!

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