Each quarter we highlight one of our exceptional volunteers and ask them to share their experience.
Name: Janell Bridges AKA Jellybean
Volunteering Since: 2020
For Summer, we wanted to highlight a volunteer who truly brightens our day every time we see her! Janell, known to many as “Jellybean”, began her Candlelighters journey in 2020. She was introduced to Candlelighters when volunteering at the pediatric playroom in Sunrise Children’s Hospital. Jellybean’s first volunteer event was the virtual Camp Firefly that we hosted in 2020. Even though she never met anyone in person, from the kids to the staff and volunteers, it felt like a family. “I stayed because every single person at Candlelighters I met has truly embodied the belief that no child should face cancer alone.”
Jellybean has been a strong camp counselor since she started with us in 2020 and has since sat on the Camp Firefly training committee for two years and the planning committee for one. Last year, she also served as a Cabin Director for the very first time! Jellybean volunteers across the organization in other areas like Creative Expressions, Teen Scene, Teen Sibs, and more! Most recently, you would have seen her driving a golf cart at both the Superhero 5k and the Halloween Bash. It’s always a sweet ride with Jellybean driving!
Please share a meaningful memory from volunteering with us!
- “Oh gosh, I have so many! Some of my favorites are when the kids ask to film videos. At camp, we have filmed TikToks of different sports trends and dance trends, but also during the teen scene, we made a one-shot music video, and all the kids got a different part and got to sing their hearts out! One of my most meaningful memories is the last day of camp when every kid goes up to the main part of the opening ceremony and screams “World’s Greatest” at the top of their lungs.”
Two fun facts about Jellybean!
- “My two fun facts are that I have 3 cats and 1 dog, and rain is my favorite weather - I will stand outside in the rain any day, any time!"
