GVM Spotlight: Sherry Malone

April is Global Volunteer Month (GVM), a time to recognize those who actively support their communities through volunteerism and civic engagement. At Spark, volunteers are at the core of all that we do and we recognize their invaluable ability to multiply impact and spark change where it is needed most. We’ll be celebrating GVM and our amazing volunteers all month long, using this time as an opportunity to say THANK YOU to all those who have shown up for their communities in a BIG way!

Workshop providing assistive technology for youth with dyslexia at The Refuge in partnership with the organization YES!

Our next volunteer spotlight of GVM 2023 is Sherry Malone. Sherry engages as a volunteer with Spark’s Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) as a reading tutor for students with dyslexia at Refuge Reads, a program of our volunteer station, The Refuge. Sherry has been civically engaged in her community for her entire adult life! Sherry defines volunteering as “serving others with my time and talents and contributing to my community in a positive way that brings me great satisfaction.” Volunteering takes time, talent, and passion and is an added commitment to the long list of things we already have to do every single day. So some people may ask themselves, why would I choose to volunteer?

We asked Sherry why she chooses to spend her time volunteering with RSVP and Refuge Reads, and she shared, “I retired in 2022. I wanted to serve others in some way that was important to me. I homeschooled my daughter from kindergarten thru 2nd grade. I love to read and one of the greatest joys I experienced was teaching my daughter to read. When I saw the need for volunteer reading tutors at Refuge Reads, I instantly knew that was what I wanted to do!”

“My favorite part of the process was getting to know the young man (Charlie) that I am tutoring. He is sweet, very sharp, funny and a great Uno player! I have also gotten to know his mom and two of his siblings. They have made me feel like part of the family.”

Sherry is a great example of “doing more than you have to because you WANT to, in a cause you consider good.” At Spark, we believe volunteering is an exhilarating opportunity to spark something within ourselves and fuel a united purpose, with and for others. We asked Jodi to share a little more about her views on volunteering:

Q: What advice would you have to someone who’s thinking about engaging as a volunteer in their community for the first time?

Sherry M.: Just go for it! There are so many different opportunities to be involved in. Find something that speaks to you and jump in. You won’t regret it!

Q: What have you learned from your experience as a volunteer?

Sherry M.: Whatever volunteer position you may choose, remember there are many other like-minded people who will be walking beside you and who will help you achieve your goals.

From all of us at Spark, we just want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Sherry Malone for her knowledge, her continuing impact, and her support. The work we do would be impossible without dedicated and caring volunteers like you.

For more stories like Sherry’s, follow along all month long as we celebrate and recognize Global Volunteer Month and all the volunteers who make magic happen every single day in Colorado communities! Looking to make an impact in YOUR community? Volunteer with us or Donate to Spark today!