Congratulations to Marnie White, our Volunteer of the Month! Volunteer Services Manager Michele Gingras comments, ‘Marnie is a reliable and committed volunteer who approaches her lessons with a calm and caring presence. She communicates effectively with clients and is attentive to their individual needs.’
Why we love her: Marnie volunteers as a sidewalker for therapy and adaptive riding clients, keeping her clients safe while on and off the horse.
Road to The Shea Center: “My family moved to Laguna Niguel in 2016, and I heard about The Shea Center being a good place for teens to volunteer. In 2021, my daughter and I took the sidewalker training. My daughter was placed in a sidewalker spot that summer. When she began high school in the fall, I took over her spot and I’ve been volunteering weekly at Shea since.”
Years of service: Marnie joined The Shea Center in August 2021.
Lessons learned: “About possibilities. I love seeing the growth in confidence, strength and skill level in clients each session, and especially over the years. I didn’t grow up around horses, so I have learned a great deal about the special horses at Shea. I enjoy learning about the different methods the therapists (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology) use to achieve their clients’ specific goals. Watching the therapists train PT students is fascinating.”
Favorite Shea Center memories: “Smiles are the foundation of ALL my favorite Shea Center memories. Smiles that come from a Halloween at Shea with staff and volunteers dressing up. Smiles that come from giving a horse a treat. I consider my time at Shea a workout for my cheeks with all the smiling I do.”
When not volunteering at Shea, she can be found doing this: “I enjoy time with family and friends and daily walks with my Australian Shepard, Max. I love the outdoors: Hiking, beaching, reading in the backyard, watching live music and traveling. I was an elementary school teacher for 18 years, and recently began substitute teaching to feed my teacher’s heart. I also enjoy improving my health through yoga, strength training and indoor cycling.”
She finds her bliss doing this . . . : “Laughing.”
