GMOVE: What’s your favorite exercise?
I love to be out in nature hiking three wild labs each morning or in the summertime, paddle boarding can’t be beat. If I have time and my sister has sent enough guilt my way about preventing osteoporosis . . . I join her and my mother at a gym to concentrate on weight training.
GMOVE: How do you spend your spare time?
I don’t understand this question! Hah, well I volunteer in my community. I love Maliheh Free Clinic which provides free medical care and Neighborhood House which provides day care and support services to low-income children and adults.
GMOVE: Why do you volunteer?
As a young girl, I adored my grandmothers and their quiet generosity. As a teenager, through my mother’s involvement I began volunteering at Neighborhood House and experienced need in the community first hand. I remember expressing surprise at the hearty “snack” kids received in the afternoon before going home and I will never forget my mother’s response informing me that was all many kids would have to eat until they arrived at Neighborhood House in the morning for breakfast. The nutritious meals served daily are so important because who can focus on learning if they are hungry?
GMOVE: Who does Neighborhood House serve?
Since 1894 when the founder, Emma McVicker looked around and saw little children that needed to be clothed and fed so she got to work. What a powerful legacy to think how many lives have been influenced for the better because someone identified a need, I’m certain in her day Emma was a real gmove woman! I think over 120 years later she would be proud that the organization she started is still committed to providing quality, affordable services that aid low-income families in their efforts to self-sufficiency based on their ability to pay. We provide year-round preschool/daycare and school age programs for children ages 15 months through twelve years old and loving care for aging adults who can no longer care for themselves.
GMOVE: How is this funded?
As a non-profit, 43% of the cost of care is paid for by generous donations which reduces the cost through our sliding fee scale. This is important since 91% of the families served are low-income with an average income of less than $25,000 for a family of four.
GMOVE: What is the impact?
Ready for some numbers? How about providing 53,000 days of care and over 95,000 meals to 550 children and adults each year. Making early childhood education, afterschool care and enriching adult care affordable to our community will reap benefits for years to come. Everyone deserves a chance, right?
GMOVE: What’s in your purse?
My purse is part of my upper arm fitness routine since it is loaded down with files, maybe some By-laws or a 990-tax form, a protein bar, more files, a bunch of loose change in the bottom, a book and my all-time favorite snack of raw almonds & dried tart cherries.
GMOVE: What’s your guilty pleasure?
Scottie Dogs All Natural Black Licorice, I’m certain if no one was looking I could consume an entire bag by myself. Non-food guilt would be to sit down and read a book in one sitting (on a distant beach far, far away would make it even guiltier!)
GMOVE: What’s a book you’d recommend?
I have too many favorites but “Love in the Time of Cholera” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is in the top 10. Favorite authors are Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Jane Austen, Wallace Stegner, Candace Millard, David McCullough, Jhumpa Lahiri, etc.!!
GMOVE: What’s your secret to staying fit?
Well my family would contend my secret is that I never say “no” but I would say just keep moving & challenging yourself each day.
GMOVE: What makes you happy?
Exploring and finding adventure with family and friends either on the trail, through travel or around the board table. Brainstorming, problem solving and discovering possibilities always makes me smile.
GMOVE: Best piece of advice you ever received?
Long before the lol, omg acronyms became popular my father was always emphasizing to have a good “PMA”. As a teenager, I rolled by eyes but now I realize how important it is to your overall health to remain positive.
GMOVE: One thing that always chills you out?
Dancing around the house to a pretty wide . . . Nat King Cole to Beatles to Classical to U2 to Imagine Dragons . . . variety of music with my nieces.