Volunteering Brings About Gifts of Many Kinds

Ever since Brooke Vidlund was a little girl, she has had friends and classmates who had special needs. Once she was out of college, she wanted to continue to be involved with those with developmental disabilities.

Brooke first became aware of Hammer & NER back in 2019. Her friend, Ally, was a one-on-one volunteer with a person we supported who needed an exercise buddy. Brooke thought this might be the opportunity she was looking for. Brooke had spent time reflecting on her values and knew she wanted to volunteer as a one-on-one volunteer.

Once she applied to volunteer, Brooke was introduced to Kris. The Program Manager at Kris’s apartment program made the position easy and approachable. Brooke’s role was to hang out with Kris. There was no pressure, and Hammer & NER was a safe space to make friends and go out into the community. There were no requirements other than to have fun!

Kris and Brooke

Brooke and Kris have so many stories of their friendship. Before Brooke had children, she and Kris would regularly work out at Planet Fitness or the apartment gym. When Kris was a little concerned about her walking speed, Brooke would coach her to walk faster, “You can do it! Just get going!” This was helpful when Kris entered the walking competition at the Special Olympics held at St. Thomas. Brooke and her husband, Zach, both St. Thomas alumni, were there to cheer her on. When Kris saw them in the stands, she asked Brooke, “Tell me to get going!” And Brooke said, “Well, get going!” And she did! Kris won the race!

When Brooke had her first son, Cal, she brought him over to meet Kris. They were both so smiley, and Cal touched Kris’s face. She was very gentle with him. When Brooke’s second son, Fin, was born, she would take him to meet Kris for coffee. They were able to do this frequently while Brooke was on maternity leave.

Kris holding Brooke’s baby, Fin

Cal is now 3 years old, and Finn is 8 months old. Kris enjoys spending time with them. She was recently visiting Brooke’s house. While Brooke was cooking them dinner, Kris got to feed Fin.

What does Brooke have to say about her friend, Kris? “She is so much fun,” Brooke says. “She is a very happy human being. She laughs all the time and is fun to be with. Adults don’t get to be goofy and silly all the time, but Kris brings it out of you!”

Brooke stays engaged as a volunteer because she really enjoys spending time with Kris. It forces her to get out of her own day-to-day bubble and has changed her perspective. “People from all walks of life have great ideas,” she says. “Kris has taught me a lot about kindness and that it takes all kinds of people to make the world a better place.”

When asked what she would tell someone who was thinking of volunteering, Brooke says, “Just do it! Even with a demanding job and two young children, I still love to bring Kris into the fold. This is a great way to better your own life, and someone else’s.”

Interested in volunteering with us? Please contact Cathy Thoma at cthoma@hammer.org