STEM Goes Red for Girls! (2022)

My second volunteer gig for the American Heart Association. This pleases me to no end! Great cause, a live event, a women’s cause, all in my wheelhouse! On March 11, 2022, I had to be on the campus of one of my alma maters, Cleveland State University, at 7:30 AM! That 4:30 alarm was early!!

I was assigned to work the Inspiration Wall, where girls could write who or what inspires them. I was paired up with Loretta, a wonderful retired teacher. We immediately bonded and I enjoyed her company all morning.

The location of our wall was just to the right of the main stage, so we got to interact with a local news anchor, who was the emcee. She was also wonderful. This day, the story is best told with pictures, so where we go!

The following photo collage was posted by Tiffani Tucker, the local new anchor who emceed the event. You can see yours truly on the lower right hand corner.

But, as usual, I booked the day up with an art museum shift after my work at STEM. I was paired up at the Information Desk with my friend, Nataliya. Nataliya is a Russian immigrant, having left there 25 years ago. She speaks with a heavy Russian accent and could not be a better human being. We talked for a while about how her heart is broken by recent events. A bit of cold water in the face, a reminder of everything going on in the world. I hadn’t seen her in a few months, so our greeting (a big hug) was so great.

I headed home on that snowy late afternoon knowing I am one very lucky woman, to be who I am, to know who I know, to have the friends I have, to make friends so easily. You can see from the photo booth pictures above, I make friends quite easily, not having known these ladies before walking in that door.