Volunteer Spotlight: Deborah Alexander
Horions in Hemophilia, September 2012
By Kim Wilson, Camp and Activities Coordinator
If you’ve attended Camp Wannaklot, Family Camp, the Trot to Clot Walk & Run or the Hit ‘Em for Hemophilia Golf Tournament, chances are you’ve met Deborah Alexander. If you haven’t met her yet, or if you haven’t had the chance to get to know her, please allow me to tell you about this amazing lady.
Deb is a kaleidoscope of influences and life experiences. Born and raised in Missouri, Deb has lived in the Atlanta area for 13 years. Her greatest influence, and her hero, is her mother. Deb was raised with the philosophy that if you give of yourself (your time or a homemade gift), it means more. She believes everyone can contribute something to the world; the challenge is to discover what that “something” is.
Deb is a mother, grandmother, wife, daughter, veteran, five-year breast cancer survivor, college graduate and volunteer. She served as a Russian linguist in the Air Force, where she met her husband, Charlie. They have been married for 38 years and have 3 children. In 2012, Deb graduated from American Intercontinental University with a degree in Business & Information Technology. Deb loves to Skype® with her grandson, Gavin, and loves every moment of being a grandmother. She also loves to create any craft that involves needle and thread. She made both of her daughters’ wedding dresses, loves to crochet, and loves to sew.
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Deb is an active member of her Breast Cancer Support Group. She says, “I want women to know it’s not a death sentence. You become a survivor the minute you are diagnosed.” Deb’s Relay4Life team raised over $3,000. She’s also participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Deb said, “It’s not a club you choose to belong to, but it gave me a kick in the pants to not wait until retirement to start giving back. I need to start giving back now!”
Deb is the current all-around all-star volunteer at Hemophilia of Georgia. As a matter of fact, we recognized her as Hemophilia of Georgia’s Volunteer of the Year 2012. Deb first got involved with HoG by donating one of her custom crocheted blankets as a prize for the Hit ‘Em for Hemophilia Golf Tournament. She has since become the “arts & crafts guru” at Camp Wannaklot and Family Camp. She is involved on the planning committees for Camp Wannaklot, the golf tournament and the Trot to Clot Walk & Run.
Ask Deb why she volunteers in all these roles at HoG and she’ll tell you, “because it’s fun! I have family members who have VWD and HoG has done so much for my family over the years. I started volunteering to try to give back to them. I’m never going to get there though, I have too much fun volunteering! The staff of HoG and the other volunteers are such kind and gracious people. It really is fun to spend time with this group! Everyone is always so appreciative. Plus, I get to go to camp and be silly and ridiculous and it’s perfectly okay. I would go to camp every other week if I could! It’s fun, I love the autonomy of running crafts and getting to go wherever the creativity takes us. My favorite moments are when a camper comes to me with an idea but doesn’t know how to make it happen. I love to help campers develop their creativity and make their dreams a reality. As a member of the leadership team at camp, I enjoy the energy and challenge to constantly switch gears and get things done behind the scenes.”
Deb is one of the most “willing to do anything” people I’ve ever known. This year alone, I’ve personally called on her to create decorations, dress up in costume, lead programs, paint faces, wait on tables, make jewelry out of duck tape and create a secret agent code for Camp Wannaklot to go with our Mission Possible theme. Do you know what she says every time I ask her to do one of these crazy things? Without fail, she says “Sure! I’d be glad to!”
It is my privilege and honor to work with Deb at so many different events. She is truly one of the most interesting people to talk to and she will have you laughing when you least expect it. If you would like to volunteer alongside Deb at any of our events, please contact me via email at kawilson@hog.org or at the HoG office at 770-518-8272.