Karin Wood Simpson is an AP clerk in our Tampa corporate office, and she’s also our Greystone Volunteer of the Month! There is an instant sense of warmth and compassion that is felt around Karin, and it’s no surprise why. A true servant to our Culture of CARE, Karin has been touching hearts in our community for many years.  She values practicing gratitude, and she enjoys instilling this lesson in her son through volunteer work that benefits the underprivileged. Learn more about Karin in this Q&A:

Q:  What was the first place you ever volunteered at, what was your first impression?
A:  My toughest yet most rewarding volunteer job was when I was a junior in high school.  I was introduced to a neighborhood family who needed help socializing their severely autistic, mentally-handicapped five-year-old boy in preparation to enroll him into a specialized, state-funded program.  The child was partially deaf and unable to speak, but over time, I could see the joy in his eyes and the excitement as he jumped up and down squealing when I came to see him.  I started out with the intent to help this family get ready for a new stage in their lives, but in the end it was about the special bond that grew with this precious little boy.  It was the toughest “job” I ever had, but it taught me to open myself up, get past my inhibitions and reach out to others to make life a little better for others.

What is your favorite memory of volunteering so far? 
A:  One of my favorite memories is working with Greystone through the Habitat for Humanity program.  I enjoyed meeting the families that were benefiting from the helping hand they were getting from GHCM and it encouraged me to give more of myself to others. I also enjoyed the work I did at Feeding Tampa Bay.  It literally “fed” my obsessive compulsive side with the sorting and packaging of produce and bread bags.

Q:  Who has had the biggest impact on you in the volunteering community, and why?
A: Amina Dubuisson (GHCM Director of Clinical Ops), Jennifer John (Administration Receptionist at North Beach) and Lashon Jackson (GHCM Home Health) are my volunteer HEROES.  Somehow, they find time in their busy schedules to give more of themselves than anyone I know.  I always ask them how many hours are in their day because they devote so much of themselves to their communities.  They truly make a difference in the lives of others and I admire each one of them for their compassion and generosity.

Q:  Favorite place to volunteer and why? 
A:  Lately, I have been volunteering at home with family projects.  It’s been a rewarding experience but it also helps to teach my son the importance of helping and giving to others around us.  We’ve helped make sandwiches for the homeless, donated and delivered bikes for underprivileged school children as well as make fleece blankets for children in hospitals and elderly in nursing homes.

Q:  How did you get introduced to volunteering?
A:  When I was growing up my mother was the director at The Southwest Louisiana Volunteer Center, so my twin sister and I started volunteering at an early age.  We helped by doing office work at the volunteer center, prepared campaign packets for United Way, assisted with non-profit phone solicitations and helped the public library with data archiving.

Q:  Why do you think it’s important to volunteer?
A:  Volunteering has always been a huge part of my life.  My mother taught me to be thankful for what I have and to always give back when I can.  Now that I am older and have a family of my own, I am trying to influence my son with these activities so he can learn a few healthy life lessons too.

Congratulations, Karin! We are so grateful to have you in our Greystone family!