Sam was a high school English teacher for 33 years, but did not wait until retirement to begin his volunteer service. He first began volunteering in 1966, coaching a youth baseball team at a local recreation center in Chagrin Falls, OH.
After graduating from Denison University in 1972, he was drafted into the US Army, where he earned the rank of Specialist 4th Class as an inspector in the Pershing Missile System. He took a ‘European out,’ meaning he was discharged from the service and able to move about at will. “I bought an Eurail Pass and traveled Europe until my money ran out,” Sam said. “I caught a free flight home as a part of my discharge, and hitched back home to Chagrin Falls...I had 17 cents in my pocket!”
In 1979, Sam earned a MEd from Kent State University. From there, he began his teaching career, most of which was spent at Mentor High School. With all the letters from parents, notes from kids, and comments from administrators, he knows he made a difference there, as he reflects, “It is my fervent belief that by extending respect to my students, I received it back in spades! I almost had no discipline problems in my classrooms.”
Sam believes strongly that faith must be instilled in children, for they are the future, and to convey that faith, one must invest in the institutions that can give them all a chance.
Thus, he began volunteering with Dayton Metro Library’s West Branch in the Homework Help Center and with The Foodbank Pantry Program. Initially, Sam considered choosing volunteer opportunities south of town and closer to home, but he chose to go where youth have more barriers and more disadvantages. He knows he grew up and enjoyed immense privilege in his life, so he wanted to help be part of the solution to improving equity in the community.
In the Homework Help Center at the West Branch, he finds students whose eyes light up when they are learning and experience academic success. He observes that the staff at the West Branch is going above and beyond to take care of their patrons, their neighbors, and the community. The West staff are often hustling to supplement the staples provided by The Foodbank and keep the donation barrels full. Sam is reticent by nature, but finds the staff is a big part of what keeps him coming back. “They are hardworking, friendly, and outgoing,” he said. Smiles and laughter make a difference when fighting an uphill battle against systemic poverty, food insecurity, and racism.
Sam is currently reading Baldwin, A Love Story by Nicolas Boggs—a new biography of the famous writer, James Baldwin, whose original writing Sam also recommends.
Thank you, Sam, for over 234 hours of volunteer service since 2024!
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