Sue Panepinto has been a steady force in the ALL HANDS ON DECK! Show family since we opened in Branson in 2016. We’ve watched her grace and love of people shine while she volunteered as an usher.
It was obvious to us that this quiet person with her calm demeanor had the ability to be a leader because she really listened to her coworkers and guests. We soon employed her as our House Manager and Sue continues to do this today, along with being Commander of the local DAV Auxiliary, and Secretary of the American Legion Auxiliary.
What makes Sue special? Many things, and it’s all built on the most impressive part, her joy in helping others. She truly believes in serving the community.
What made you want to volunteer, Sue? “Growing up, I watched my Mother volunteering in girl scouts, church, room mother in school, always helping others. It was what we did! No questions, just a part of our lives.” This gave Sue a strong sense of the world around her, she started teaching Sunday school in her church at age 13, while also becoming a Candy Striper at the local hospital where she grew up in Urbana, IL.
How do you and your husband, Tom, find the time for volunteering? “It’s who I am, we both WANT to help others, and I think we knew that when we first met in junior high school. When we married, Tom joined the Army, then the Illinois National Guard and it became his life career.”
Sue and Tom raised their own children, then included fostering and adopting children as well. While Tom worked away from the family, Sue volunteered and was in charge of a family support group. In 1990 Sue Panepinto was the only individual bestowed the Molly Pitcher Award, which recognized her to have voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the Field Artillery Community.
(More about Molly Pitcher Award: https://www.fieldartillery.org )
In June, Sue was just beaming when she told us of a new volunteer position she accepted with Foresters Financial. Sue and Tom have been members in the organization since 1988 volunteering for many projects that are supported and funded by Foresters. Now, Sue has been elected as the Regional Council Vice President! This is a volunteer position steeped with responsibility where she will have the opportunity to help even more people in many different ways.
What makes the Foresters special? “The friends we’ve made throughout the years, they’re more like ‘family’ than anyone we know!”
This sounds like a very important position possibly with a lot of stress, are you worried about being overwhelmed? “I ran in the election with many years of volunteering behind me and the phrase I use again and again is: Will it matter in 10 years? If so it’s worth doing, if not, don’t sweat it.”
(More on Foresters: www.Foresters.com)