Derrick Reese - Fall 2021

Derrick Reese - Fall 2021

Volunteer Name: Derrick “Scorpio” Reese

Volunteering with Candlelighters Since: 2008

Volunteer Projects with Candlelighters this summer include: Better known by his camp name Scorpio, Derrick has been a force to be reckoned with this fall. He volunteered with the Superhero 5k, arriving early and staying late for his packet pickup shift in addition to leading a team at the 5K as captain and fundraising $840. Scorpio also used his background as a choreographer and gymnastics coach to work with the family services team to develop programming that could be active and uplifting for kids in treatment, while adaptable to different ability levels. Scorpio’s approach to every project is with an energy and smile that everyone around him feels compelled to match.

Volunteer Projects with Candlelighters prior to this summer include: Fairytale Video, Virtual Camp Counselor, Summer Camp Volunteer, Camp Activity leader

Share a meaningful memory of volunteering:

A recent memory that I have of volunteering was during online camp! I loved singing and dancing with all the campers and volunteers! The energy was through the roof and seeing all of the joy was definitely a highlight of my summer! A more distant memory but yet one that remains one of my all-time favorites was being a camp activity choreographer and teaching gymnastics and dance to so many beautiful kids! 

Why did you choose Candlelighters as an organization to donate your time: Candlelighters is magical! From the administration and support staff to the children and their families. Since day one, I have been totally enamored! While the choice to donate my time to Candlelighters has always been easy and rooted in my love for the sharing of the simple gift of happiness. It's my privilege and I am super excited to continue being a part of the journey!