Brad Richmond, Duke Energy Lead Prototype Analyst, has made a significant positive impact on life in Charlotte in just over a year as an Apparo skilled volunteer and donor.
He shares his path as an Apparo volunteer:
“I had volunteered before with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Special Olympics, which I really enjoyed, but I was interested in finding out if I could use my technical skill set as another way to help nonprofits. I heard about Apparo through Bonnie Titone at Duke Energy and it sounded like the perfect match.
“I went through an Apparo volunteer onboarding meeting with Sarah Gregory, Apparo’s volunteer manager, and I was excited and ready to go. The timing was perfect and I was put on a team to support Crisis Assistance Ministry Gastonia.
“At first I was a little bit apprehensive. I have a technical skill set, but I wasn’t sure exactly what would be needed for this project. But it worked out perfectly. Sarah placed me in a volunteer opportunity where I could be very impactful. I was well suited to provide advice and expertise based on my work experience.
“It could not have been a better volunteer experience. As soon as it ended, I reached back out to Sarah to ask to be staffed on another project, which was for Youth Development Initiatives. After another fantastic volunteer experience with that project, I wrote to Sarah again and I’m looking forward to my next Apparo volunteer project.”
Brad explains what keeps bringing him back to Apparo:
“The project facilitation has been so professional. Sarah served as my first project facilitator and everything was so well polished and organized. Jon Shannon was the volunteer project facilitator on my second project and he also did a great job keeping us on track.
“Being able to use your skills in interesting and engaging work that contributes to nonprofits in Charlotte, what more could you ask for? Apparo is such a fantastic organization and the nonprofits you support are doing amazing work. Serving them by using my technical skills set is incredibly meaningful to me and very fulfilling.”
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