January Volunteer of the Month

Volunteers make the biggest difference for our organization. We know that we will be reliant on volunteers in 2010 and hope you will join us. We have been fortunate over the past year to be involved with our January Volunteer of the Month. Tish Visinksy has been a very integral part of our women's auxiliary, HFC Friends. Tish helps with our Holiday Heroes program, serving as a team captain to coordinate shopping efforts of volunteers with other volunteers. For the past two years, she has served as a liaison between our organization and the Pi Phi Sorority of SMU. Each year, the Pi Phi's have hosted our annual gift party for the families in Dallas adopted through Holiday Heroes. Because of Tish, every detail is remembered. It is a perfect afternoon for the families to enjoy!

Coming up next for Tish and Heroes for Children is a special dinner for cancer families. Our Valentine's Dinner next month provides families with a unique experience--a date night for mom and dad and a fun night for the kids (with childcare provided by Mom's Best Friend). Tish is lovingly chairing the event, preparing for a wonderful evening for the families. We're so honored to have her commitment and love for the families who so deserve a special evening. (If you are interested in learning more about the Valentine's Dinner and how you can help in both Dallas and Houston, please contact Danielle Soffa, Program Services Manager, at dsoffa@heroesforchildren.org).

Name, Occupation:
Tish Visinsky
Wife, Mom, and Volunteer
I also work part time for Clear Direction and Saint Michael and All Angels

How did you get involved with HFC?
Sweet Christie Cahoon (HFC Board Member) invited me to attend a Friends coffee in 2008 and I was hooked!

Do you have any kids and/or pets?
Two daughters – Madison (age 6) and Harper (age 3)
A frog named Tad and a beta named Super

Favorite place to eat:
Club Schmitz (total dive, but they have the best patty melt in Dallas), Jeng Chi (to die for dim sum and green onion pancakes), Ojedas (cheese enchiladas and margaritas – YUM!)

What’s on your book shelf?
Magazines, cook books, and my to-do list

What’s in your iPod/CD changer?
Whatever strikes my kids fancy at the time…a little Taylor Swift, Miley, High School Musical, Disney Movie Soundtracks, The Beatles, The Black Eyed Peas, White Stripes, Michael Jackson and some Frank Sinatra.

Who’s your hero?
Children battling cancer. My cousin, Charlie Story, passed away after battling Leukemia when he was in high school. I was always in awe of how strong he was and how hard he fought. I also think the parents, siblings and family members who have a child battling cancer are heroes too. I am constantly amazed at their strength, never-ending supply of love and support, and ability to see the light during a very dark and trying time in their lives.