Volunteering with Heart: How Don Makes an Impact
Don and his wife Stephanie have lived in Louisville for over four decades. It’s where they built their home in 1987, raised their daughter Sarah, and built a life filled with roots that run deep in Boulder County. “We’ve been here a long time,” Don says with a smile. “And we enjoy it quite a bit.
Before settling in Colorado, Don pursued a PhD in cognitive psychology, studying how people interact with computers at a time when technology was still new to most households. His career was about helping people—making systems easier to use, more intuitive, more human. Now retired, Don has found a new way to spend his time: giving back to the community that has given him so much.
“I’d been a donor for a while, but when I finally retired, I wanted to do something more hands-on,” he explained. “I felt it was time to start giving back.”
Today, Don splits his time between volunteering in the Feeding Families Pantry and lending a hand at the Plumbumpy Garden in Longmont. The garden, run in partnership with Earth’s Table, maintains multiple garden sites across Boulder County and donates 100% of its fresh produce to local food banks, including Community Food Share.
He still laughs about his very first shift in the pantry freezer. “Either the coat or the gloves didn’t fit—maybe both,” he remembered. “And I froze. Since then, if I think there’s a possibility I’ll be working in the freezer, I put extra clothes in the car just in case.”
When asked about his favorite volunteer role, Don says one in particular stands out. “I’m not sure why I like it necessarily, but the carts shift works for me,” he said. “It’s one of the few where I get to meet people as they’re leaving. I get a chance to say, ‘Have a good day, enjoy the rest of the day.’ It’s a small thing, but it feels good to make that connection.”
For Don, volunteering has also reshaped how he thinks about hunger. “I used to assume the people who came here were on their last legs. But that’s not the case. A lot of families are working—they just aren’t making quite enough to make ends meet. That’s why this work is so important. We’re helping fill out their food budget and I’m glad Community Food Share is here for them”
In addition to volunteering, Don also supports Community Food Share as a monthly donor. To him, it’s simply another way to live out his values. “I felt that I could easily afford it, and it felt like a shame not to do it. Seeing reports about the impact of my gift is rewarding, it shows that I’m making a real difference.”
Don’s advice for anyone considering volunteering or donating for the first time is simple: “If you have time on your hands, why aren’t you volunteering? And if you can afford to donate, please do.”
When asked why he volunteers and donates, Don doesn’t overthink it. His motto is straightforward: Do whatever I can to help. Through his time, energy, and generosity, Don embodies that belief and helps ensure that families in Boulder and Broomfield counties have the nourishment they need to thrive.
