 |
|
Things to do
|
MATT WITTMEYER staff photographer
Amy Button, 31, of Penfield is an avid community volunteer who finds inspiration in her mother.
|
Personal: 31, of Penfield.
Occupation: Project coordinator at NimbleUser.
Community activities: Member, Associate Board of Directors at Gilda’s Club Rochester; committee member at Gilda’s Club Rochester (Sub-Committee Team Lead for the Gala; Walk Committee Member, Women’s Day Event Committee Member, etc.), Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester (ARTrageous October Committee Member), and Sojourner House for Women (So.jam.a.licious. Music Event Committee Member); Blanket and Toiletry Drive creator and executor: Independently coordinated and organized a Blanket and Toiletry Drive which provided local organizations (Open Door Mission and Sojourner House) with more than 100 bags of clothing and 10 bags of toiletries annually; active volunteer with Foodlink, Special Olympics New York-Genesee Region, Sojourner House, CQFore Gritz Golf Tournament, Rochester Fall Crawl, LiveStrong, Habitat for Humanity.
My favorite thing to do in Rochester: First Fridays — a citywide evening on the first Friday of each month (www.firstfridayrochester.org) where Rochester-area galleries open their doors for the public to visit and explore locations they might not normally get the opportunity to see. Often the galleries will have workshops that the public can participate in to get their hands dirty and learn something new.
Biggest challenge I’ve overcome and how I did it: I lacked a clear focus when I started volunteering, and overwhelmed myself trying to be everything to every organization. It wasn’t until I really sat down to think about a cause that “spoke” to me that I realized where my true passion was — helping people who, like myself, had lives that had been touched by cancer. Gilda’s Club had a mission and vision that I believed in and could stand behind, and after a wonderful experience on their Gala Committee, I decided to join their Associate Board. I am excited to be a part of the exciting changes that lie ahead for such an amazing organization. I also enjoy spending time helping Sojourner House, an organization that provides shelter, structure, strength and inspiration to women in need.
One thing I’ve always wanted to do but never have: Travel overseas. I have family that lives in Northern Ireland and Scotland that I hope to have the chance to visit someday.
If I could change one thing about myself it would be: I have a tendency to overextend and leave very little time for myself. My resolution this year was to relax a little more, spend more time with family and friends, and pick up old hobbies that I don’t leave much time for anymore … like photography.
The talent I would most like to have: I wish I was a better singer. For the amount of time I spend singing (in my car, in the shower, when I’m cleaning, etc), it would nice if my renditions of ’80s rock songs were a little easier on the ears! I’ve also always wanted to be able to play the piano.
The one thing I can’t live without: Truth be told, I have a lot of frivolous things that I am attached to — Tide to Go, DVR, my cell phone, my iPod — but realistically I could live without those things. Two things I can count on without fail, no matter what I need are my friends and my family. That’s something I would never want to be without!
One of my favorite sayings is: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter to us.” – Martin Luther King
A person who has inspired me (and why): There are so many people in my life that I respect and look up to, who have supported me and made me who I am today. However, having to choose, I would say my mom, Jane. She gives so much of herself to others, asking no questions and expecting nothing in return … I don’t know that I could ever fill her shoes, but I will always try. It’s a compliment when people tell me I remind them of her, she’s the most beautiful person I know.
