Do Something More-Nonprofit Spotlights & Ways to Serve Your Community

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When Luke Mickelson discovered that children in his community were sleeping on the floor without beds, he decided to do something about it. Involving youth from his church and his own children, Luke built and delivered beds to kids in need in his own town. What began as a small act of service quickly revealed a much larger problem — and an incredible opportunity to serve in a hands-on, meaningful way.

That small effort became 'Sleep in Heavenly Peace', a nonprofit organization now with more than 400 chapters across the United States. Last year alone, they provided approximately 90,000 beds to children who needed a safe and comfortable place to sleep. Through large community ‘Build Day' events, volunteers of all ages can come together to build beds and even join a delivery team to help deliver and install the beds — making a tangible difference in the lives of local families.

In this episode of the Do Something More Podcast, Luke shares the inspiring story behind Sleep in Heavenly Peace, how the nonprofit continues to grow, and practical insights for other nonprofits and community organizations looking to create engaging, impactful volunteer opportunities.

If you’re passionate about volunteering, community service, nonprofit leadership, or making a difference for children in need, this episode will inspire you to take action and do something more.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Website

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Instagram

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Facebook

Care Portal

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‘Hot Mess Express’ is exactly as awesome as it sounds! This non-profit has affiliates all over the country dedicated to women helping women, judgment-free. Whether it’s a new college student moving into her dorm, a mom or family navigating a difficult season, or an elderly woman needing the love and support a true community can bring, these volunteers walk into homes and through compassion, cleaning and organization give women in their communities a fresh start. As they beautifully say, it’s ‘not a handout, just a hand.’

In this episode of the Do Something More Podcast, host Melissa Draper sits down with Brittinie Tran, President and Board Chair of Hot Mess Express, to talk about the heart behind this powerful organization. Brittinie shares inspiring stories from the field and gives the needed reminder that none of us need to feel alone or afraid to ask for help.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Hot Mess Express Website

Hot Mess Express TikTok

Hot Mess Express Instagram

Hot Mess Express Facebook

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What if your New Year’s resolutions focused less on doing more for yourself and more on doing a little more for others?

In this first episode of 2026, I’m sharing why service-focused resolutions matter—and simple, sustainable ways to give back without overwhelm. From slowing down in daily interactions to using your words, time, and talents for good, these small shifts can make a big difference.

If you’re looking for meaningful goals, simple ways to serve, or a fresh perspective on giving and receiving, this episode is for you. 🤍

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In this inspiring Christmas episode I sit down with Connie Manwaring, Manager and President of the Nebo Holiday Chorus and Orchestra, to explore the remarkable story behind Handel’s Messiah and the powerful tradition of using music to bless and uplift others.

Connie shares the fascinating charitable history of Handel’s Messiah — including how its very first performances were created as benefit concerts that raised funds for the poor, freed debtors from prison, and supported vulnerable children. She also opens up about her own journey from growing up in East Germany to studying music around the world, serving as a missionary, and ultimately founding a nonprofit choir dedicated to continuing Handel’s legacy of compassion.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🎵 The incredible backstory of Handel’s Messiah and why it remains one of the most beloved and meaningful works of all time
🎄 How the Nebo Holiday Chorus and Orchestra uses its annual Messiah performances to support rotating charities, from refugee organizations to children in need
❤️ The healing, unifying power of choral music — and why singing together builds community, empathy, and spiritual strength
🙌 Why attending a Messiah performance (or even just hearing the Hallelujah Chorus!) can become a meaningful Christmas tradition for your family

Whether you’re passionate about service, fascinated by the history of sacred music, or simply looking for ways to bring more kindness and purpose into your holiday season, this conversation will fill you with gratitude, joy, and Christmas spirit.

✨ Listen now and discover how music, charity, and community can help us all “do something more” this holiday season.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Nebo Holiday Chorus and Orchestra Website

Nebo Holiday Chorus and Orchestra Instagram

Nebo Holiday Chorus and Orchestra Facebook

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In this powerful episode I sit down with Hayley Smith, founder and CEO of Lifting Hands International, a nonprofit dedicated to providing meaningful, needs-based aid to refugees around the world.

Hayley shares the eye-opening story of how a two-week volunteer trip to Greece opened her eyes to the realities of the global refugee crisis and inspired her to begin an organization that now supports displaced families in multiple countries. From chaotic camps in Greece to community-centered livestock programs in Jordan, Hayley takes us inside the world of humanitarian work, refugee support, and what it truly means to offer help in ways that actually matter.

Listeners will learn:
 ✨ Why listening is the foundation of effective service and humanitarian aid
✨ How Lifting Hands International provides aid refugees actually ask for—including goats, hygiene kits, community support, and local resources
✨ Simple ways anyone can help—from volunteering locally to becoming a small monthly donor
✨ What most people misunderstand about nonprofit work, refugee needs, and humanitarian response

This conversation is both educational and deeply inspiring, offering real-world insight into how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference—right where they are.

If you’re passionate about service, volunteering, nonprofits, refugee aid, or finding meaningful ways to give back, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Lifting Hands International Website

Lifting Hands International Instagram

Lifting Hands International Facebook

Lifting Hands International in The Giving Machines

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In this inspiring replay episode, I revisit one of the most impactful conversations I've had on the show — a deep dive into the giving-circle movement with '100 Women Who Care.' I personally joined my own local Utah Valley chapter after recording this episode over two years ago, and I've been attending quarterly meetings ever since. Today, I wanted to bring back this episode to highlight why this powerful model of collective giving continues to grow — and why you might want to be part of it too.

Jessica Farnsworth, a longtime leader with the Utah Valley chapter, shares the origin story of '100 Women Who Care', how these giving circles work, and the incredible impact that happens when women combine their resources to lift local nonprofits. You'll hear how chapters across the country are changing lives through “Impact Awards,” learn what actually happens inside a one-hour meeting, and discover the inspiring personal stories behind the organizations they support.

And since this conversation was first recorded, the Utah Valley chapter has surpassed 100 members — growing their impact even more. Whether you’re local to Utah or living anywhere else in the U.S., there’s likely a chapter near you.

Links mentioned in the episode:

100 Women Who Care Utah Valley Website

100 Women Who Care Utah Valley Instagram

100 Women Who Care Utah Valley Facebook

100 Who Care Alliance Website

KSL Article on 100 Women Who Care Utah Valley Reaching 100 Members

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As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in meal prep and family plans—but this episode will inspire you to think about gratitude in action.

I sit down with Rob Adams, Founder of 'Thanksgiving Heroes', a nonprofit that rallies over a thousand volunteers and hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations each year to deliver full Thanksgiving meals to more than 3,500 families facing food insecurity.

Rob shares the moving childhood story that inspired his mission, how a promise to his mother changed his life forever, and the miracles that continue to happen each year as strangers come together to feed their communities. You’ll also hear what it really takes to organize an effort of this scale—and how you can be part of it.

If you’ve been looking for a meaningful way to give back this Thanksgiving—or a reminder that goodness and generosity are alive and well—this episode will fill your heart and renew your hope.

🎧 Listen now and find out how you can support Thanksgiving Heroes in bringing meals, hope, and connection to families this holiday season.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Thanksgiving Heroes Website

Thanksgiving Heroes SLC Volunteer Sign Up to Deliver Food Boxes

Thanksgiving Heroes Instagram

Thanksgiving Heroes Facebook

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The holiday season can be busy and full—but it can also be deeply meaningful. In this solo episode I'm sharing why the holidays are the ideal time to build service into your family traditions, and how simple acts of kindness can bring more joy, connection, and purpose to this time of year.

You’ll  learn realistic, doable ways to serve together as a family—whether you have toddlers, teens, or grown children. I also share lots of stories and give many meaningful ideas that you can easily fit to your own family and create memories that will last.

If you’ve been wanting a holiday season that feels more connected, more grounded, and more meaningful—I hope after listening to this episode you will be inspired for how you can use service traditions to make it happen.

Links mentioned in the episode:

JustServe Website

Light the World Website

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What if one program could transform an entire school’s culture—helping students with and without disabilities build real friendships, learn teamwork, and create a spirit of belonging?

That’s exactly what Unified Sports is doing. It’s a high school program run through the Special Olympics that brings students with and without intellectual disabilities together to play in sports competitions—and it’s creating ripple effects of kindness and inclusion in high schools all over the nation.

In this episode, I sit down with Haylee Whiteley, the Unified Sports coach and a special education teacher at Salem Hills High School. Haylee explains how this program functions, she shares stories that illustrate how it has completely transformed their school community, and gives many ideas for how others can start Unified Sports in their own schools or towns.

Haylee's passion, heart, and all the hours of good service she's spent are evident throughout this episode, and it left me feeling so grateful for the good work people like her do in many of our school communities.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Unified Sports Website

Special Olympics Website

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Food pantries and food banks across the United States are seeing record levels of demand right now for so many reasons — if you’ve ever felt that tug to volunteer, donate, or somehow get involved, now truly is the time.

That’s why I’m resharing this meaningful episode that originally aired in February 2024 featuring 'Tabitha’s Way Food Pantry' and its Founder and Executive Director, Wendy Osborne. Wendy has spent years leading efforts to help families in need, and in our conversation she gives a thoughtful look into how food pantries operate, what food insecurity can really look like, and how strong communities make strong food pantries.

This episode feels especially important right now — food insecurity is a solvable problem, and every one of us can play a part in helping ensure no neighbor goes hungry.

Links mentioned in episode:

Tabitha's Way Food Pantry Website

Tabitha's Way Food Pantry Instagram

Tabitha's Way Food Pantry Facebook

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