Not "just a volunteer" -- meet Dave Warner

Today marks the end of National Volunteers Week. There are about a zillion more people we would like to highlight, who each bring their own special personalities, abilities, and gifts to help Springfield kids "crush the odds with the love of God!" But we've been delighted to introduce a few this week: Greg Jindra, Gary Lookabaugh, Mary Apone, and Corie Cappelucci. (Click their names if you missed those days!) 

Today we want to introduce you to Dave Warner.

Although maybe this photo gives you a better sense of Dave's sense of humor and fun-loving personality!

Dave is a member of High Street Church of the Nazarene, and has volunteered at the High Street STARS Afterschool Program for Kenwood kids for the past 5 years (since the program started!) He works at Maiweave LLC and is a dad and grandpa.

Dave is someone we are so grateful to have around our STARS kids! Through his wife's long fight with cancer and her passing, he has remained a tremendous example of faithfulness and love for the Lord. He reminds all of us -- kids and adults -- to keep our eyes on Jesus during the good times and bad times. 

Tyler Worley, our STARS director, says, "Dave shows up week in and week out and is ready to serve wherever he can lend a hand. He's a person that the kids have come to know cares deeply for them." 

To someone considering working with STARS, Dave says, "If you love God and love kids, then come aboard! STARS has helped me grow in my faith because sometimes the problems that the children are facing, I just don't have answers for, but then you see God break into the situation and you get to see how big God really is."

"I also really look forward to the times when the kids are grown and I run into them at the store or somewhere and they tell me about how they're living their lives."

We know that the years that Dave has been pouring into these kids, week by week, are making a difference and changing their lives. And we believe that by the grace of God, some of those "someday moments" will be different because Dave invested in these kids. We thank God for Dave, for the others we've highlighted this week, and for the MANY who are investing in kids in our city through SCYM!

Not "just a volunteer" -- meet Corie Cappelucci

Day 4 of National Volunteer Week, and we haven't even scratched the surface of all the fantastic people who volunteer their time (and themselves, really) at SCYM. If you missed days 1, 2, and 3 be sure to click the links to meet Greg Jindra, Gary Lookabaugh, and Mary Apone! 

Today we want to introduce you to Corie Cappelucci.

Three years ago, Corie, a senior Art History major at Wittenberg University, discovered the GirlPower Afterschool Program and has been investing in city middle school girls ever since. Twice a week Corie shows up to spend time with Schaefer and Hayward girls, communicating that they are valuable and important enough to be worth her time. She says that she wants to give the girls "a person to count on, someone who believes in them and lets them know they will be successful."

One of Corie's favorite memories of GirlPower was a few years ago, when a Mary Kay representative came in to help the girls with makeup and skin care. Corie says, "It was a day when everyone was encouraging each other, and I could tell the girls really felt beautiful and were confident about their appearance. It was amazing to see."

With college graduation coming up soon, Corie plans to continue volunteering and doing nonprofit work. She'll be working with AmeriCorps this coming year. We pray that God will lead her into even greater adventures, and we're so grateful for the imprint she's left on many young lives here in Springfield!

Not "just a volunteer" -- meet Mary Apone

It's Day 3 of National Volunteer Week, or as we might start calling it, "Not Just a Volunteer" Week! (Click the links to meet two other terrific "not just a volunteers," Greg Jindra and Gary Lookabaugh.) Today we'd like you to meet one of our youngest volunteers, Mary Apone.

Mary is a student at Greenon High School and has volunteered at the STARS Afterschool Program at Westside Christian Community for the past three years. Every week Mary shows up to be a friend to city elementary school kids, help them with their reading, and show them the love of Jesus. The kids love Mary and they know that she loves them!

Mary says, if you're thinking about volunteering with kids at SCYM, "Go for it! Once you get to know all of the kids and volunteers, it's like family." 

What does Mary's experience mean to her? She says, "I've been at Westside Church with Pastor Costy and Beth since I was little, and their commitment to serving our community has been very inspiring to me. I love being in the middle of what God is doing!" 

And we love that God is drawing in young people like Mary to love kids in our city. May God raise up many more Mary's!

Not "just a volunteer" -- meet Gary Lookabaugh

It's Day 2 of National Volunteer Week, and we're pleased to introduce you to some people who inspire and encourage us every day.

Have you ever been driving around Springfield and noticed a home for sale with a Real Estate II sign that says "Gary Lookabaugh" on the top?

Well, we'd like to introduce you to Gary.

Gary has been behind the buying and selling of more homes in Clark County than he can probably count. He is a terrific businessman, but he is also a kind and humble person who seeks to follow Christ in all he does.



Gary served on the SCYM board from 2008-2012. You may not know that Gary grew up on the west side of Springfield, which has led him to have a heart for the kids that SCYM serves. He understands the struggles of growing up in a broken home, and knows how much kids need to find Christian role models and guidance. 

Last year, Gary sensed that God was leading him to become a mentor, and to help find others to mentor, too. Last summer we matched Gary with Aaron, a bright young 7th grader who lives on the west side. Gary and Aaron have struck up a great friendship, meeting once a week. (Gary says he treats his time with Aaron "like an appointment I need to keep.") They talk about setting goals, having positive relationships, and just about life.

Gary says he has learned that mentoring "is a simpler process than I thought. It's just being a listener and being there."

And to anyone thinking about become a mentor, Gary says, "It's a great opportunity for you to grow. It's shown me how to be a better grandfather to my grandkids."

So the next time you see Gary Lookabaugh's name, why not say a prayer for him and Aaron, and remember his example of someone who is not content with just business success, but is seeking to serve wherever God is calling him. We're so thankful for Gary!