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

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In this tender and moving episode, I revisit my conversation with Melanie Rodger from the nonprofit organization Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep—a group that provides the priceless gift of professional remembrance portraits to parents grieving the loss of a baby.

Melanie shares her own story of losing her infant son and how that heartbreaking experience inspired her to volunteer—and later work—with Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. Through her vulnerability, compassion, and insight, Melanie reminds us that healing and service often intertwine in profound ways.

This interview originally aired in May of 2024, but because October marks Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, I wanted to reshare this important episode to honor those families who have faced unimaginable loss and to remind anyone walking that path that they are not alone. 

Links mentioned in the episode:

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Website

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Instagram

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Facebook

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Have you ever stopped to think about the power behind a simple invitation?

In this episode I share why being an inviter—someone who reaches out, includes, and connects—matters more than ever in today’s lonely world.

You’ll hear how small, sincere invitations can change lives, what often holds us back from inviting, and three simple ways to make inviting and connecting a natural part of your everyday life.

Whether it’s lunch, a walk, or a birthday party—your invitation might mean more than you know.

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Ben Lyne is a runner and for over 2 years he kept having the thought that he could use those regular runs to inspire and motivate others…by holding a sign while he ran that says ‘I Believe In You’. He finally got the courage to act on those thoughts a few years ago, and the reaction and feedback he’s received has been tremendous. He’s had many let him know that through this simple act of service he’s lifted them, encouraged them, and even saved their life. 

Ben’s story is an inspiring reminder to me that the world is filled with people who need validation, love, and lifting…and it really doesn’t take much to give it to them and to make a difference in their lives. Listen to the podcast to hear more about Ben’s story, a little bit of the logistics behind what he does, and the many people he’s motivated along the way.

I originally aired this episode in December 2023, but I wanted to share it again as a reminder of the power one person truly can have to help, lift, inspire, and make a difference.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Ben's Instagram @runnerguywithasign

Facebook Group The Signs Up Club

YouTube Video How To Make Your Own Sign

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Camille Hawkins is the Founder and Director of ‘The Wellness Farm’, a place that aims to provide tangible ways to support individuals walking through grief and trauma. This is Camille’s second nonprofit she’s started from the ground up, so she shares about the realities of working in the trenches of the nonprofit world. A trained therapist, Camillie also shares her own tender experiences with grief through infertility and infant loss. They are what ultimately led to her realizing a need for the unique space she has created at ‘The Wellness Farm.’

This interview serves as a great reminder that when you want to do good in the world, sometimes it means starting with small steps and keeping your vision in mind of who you want to serve and the good you want to accomplish.

Links mentioned in the episode:

The Wellness Farm Website

The Wellness Farm Instagram

The Wellness Farm Facebook

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When it comes to service, the most important part is the doing! We have to be able to take the steps that actually lead to action and start serving and helping in the ways we feel called to do in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities. In this episode I am giving you very actionable items: one you can do today, one you can do this week, and one you can do this month. I also give simple ideas for each one. I hope it helps you see how service truly can be a very doable part of your every day life. 

Send me an email ([email protected]) or message me on social media to let me know if this podcast episode helped you take action and what your experiences were, I would love to hear! 

Links mentioned in this episode:

JustServe.org

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On this episode I'm celebrating 100 Episodes of the 'Do Something More' podcast! At the end of each episode, I ask my guests to give general advice for how people can serve, volunteer, and give back to their communities. I took eight of those nuggets of wisdom and rolled them all together to mark this 100th episode. Come and be inspired and empowered and also get a reminder of the great caliber of guests we have on this podcast. They really all are incredible people trying to do good in many ways.

And thank you so much for being here with the 'Do Something More' podcast! I hope you've found inspiration and encouragement on my small corner of the podcasting world.

Links to the podcast episodes mentioned in this episode:

6. Carol Kimball and Finding Meaningful Ways to Serve While Raising a Family

9. Lori Muir with 'Ironman Q Foundation' and Supporting Cancer Families

29. Camber Hess and Using Service to Cope with Grief and her 'Infant Loss Stories' Project

35. Amy Francis with 'Rocky Mountain Therapy Dogs' and Providing Hope, Health, and Healing to the Community with Therapy Dogs

38. Katie Bunnell with 'Live Your Dream Foundation' and Helping Single Mothers with Their Education

50. Tallia Feltis with 'The Neighborhood Art Center' and Providing an Engaging Space for Kids to Create Art

54. Janelle Christensen with 'Family Haven' and Working to Prevent and Treat Child Abuse by Providing Support and Healing to Families

69. Anadine Marshall with 'Charity Vision' and Restoring Curable Sight Impairment Worldwide

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'Big Brothers Big Sisters' began over 100 years ago as an alternative to the juvenile justice system when a group of adults realized they could help vulnerable kids by giving them connection and meaningful relationships. Now with over 230 chapters in the United States, they have many programs to help youth reach their full potential in a variety of ways.

On this episode I feature Jill Sundstrom, who is the President and CEO of 'Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah'. She shares some great stories and outcomes that show the impact this organization is having on the ‘bigs’ who volunteer with them and the ‘littles’ who they support. 

Listen to this episode to hear the many ways anyone can get involved in supporting the children and youth in your community. Or if you are part of a nonprofit, you might hear some great ideas for how you can continue to grow and evolve so you can not only help the people you serve, but give more opportunities for others to volunteer with your organization.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah

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Kenra Keddington has been a Camp Director for Royal Family Kids Camp for 22 years. These are week-long summer camps for 7 to 11 year old foster kids. Kenra says their main goal every year is to pour love and connection into each participant and give them the chance to just be a kid again. 

The camps are 100% volunteer run, with some of their volunteers being previous camp attendees who return as teenagers to help create those same experiences they enjoyed as kids. 

Kenra shares some really sweet stories in this episode and gives the beautiful reminder that anyone can do something to help uplift the most vulnerable in our communities.

Links mentioned in episode:

For the Children: Royal Family Kids Camps

Royal Family Kids Camp Salt Lake City

Royal Family Kids Camp Utah

For the Children Nonprofit

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The story of Joe Tuia’ana’s nonprofit begins after he had the opportunity to help a man in a suicide crisis and literally love him off the ledge. After that experience, he learned that there weren’t any resources for men’s mental health and suicide prevention where he lived, so he decided to start creating them. Now he runs his nonprofit the ‘I Love You, Bro Project,’ where they sponsor support groups and hold workshops for men to help them find connection and purpose as they navigate mental health challenges.

Joe’s heart and sincerity in the work he does really comes through in this episode and it left me feeling motivated to make sure I’m connecting and lifting up the good men in my life. Listen to hear more of Joe’s story and about the good, and necessary, work he is doing.

Links mentioned in the episode:

I Love You, Bro Website

I Love You, Bro Instagram

I Love You, Bro Facebook

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Deb Yokshas is a volunteer with Utah County Search and Rescue, who handle all outdoor search and rescue operations in the county. Not only is their team of rescuers 100% volunteer, but they also each pay thousands of dollars of their own money to be certified and have the right personal gear. These are people who are committed on a whole new level to helping and serving in their community. 

Deb tells some great stories in this podcast about some of her experiences (I think she’s the kind of person you would love to talk to at a party and just listen to all the stories she has to share). She also talks about her own journey of joining Search and Rescue and the skills it takes to be part of the team.

I promise after listening to this episode you will want to personally go find a first responder volunteer in your community and thank them for the good and tireless work they do! 

Links mentioned in the episode:

Utah County Search and Rescue Website

Utah County Search and Rescue Instagram

Utah County Search and Rescue Facebook

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