Volunteer Spotlight – Melinda Micklewright

Visit the Early Learning Center at the Mission’s family home any Tuesday morning, and you’ll find volunteer Melinda Micklewright loving on the babies. “The children are a delight, a joy,” she said. “They are just adorable.” Melinda, a pharmacist, came to Orlando to help open the VA Hospital in Lake Nona many years ago. She heard about the Mission at her church, which was helping serve meals on the weekends. Now retired, she loves volunteering at the Mission, where she has the freedom to speak to the children about Jesus, pray, and sing Christian songs with them. One of the best parts of volunteering, Melinda said, is that when she arrives, the little ones’ faces light up, and they toddle to her with their arms up, eager to be held. “I love them like they are my own,” she said. “Volunteering means the world to me. The people are absolutely amazing. The Mission is like a little home away from home.” Melinda encourages others to experience the joy of volunteering. “Get involved and help shape lives,” she said. “The need is here, and they can use you. There are so many opportunities to get involved: in the kitchen, on the grounds, and many other areas. You will get more out of giving than you realize. It’s truly energizing.”