Our Volunteers
Our volunteers work closely with staff to provide direct and indirect support for our children. Volunteers are an amazing asset that The Children's Institute’s staff, students, patients, and administration hold in high esteem.
All of our volunteers have interesting stories about their own lives and their experiences at The Children's Institute.
Maura Bizzozero
Elizabeth, Pennsylvania
Age: 17
Occupation: Student at Elizabeth Forward Senior High School, Lifeguard
Hobbies: Swimming, Lifeguarding
Volunteer Area: The Day School, Camp Success
Volunteer of 5 years
Being Amazing at The Children’s Institute
Maura is a volunteer for The Day School and Camp Success. In The Day School, she has the opportunity to help with feeding, do small projects with the students, read the students stories, and more. When Camp Success is in session, it’s nothing but a fun time! Maura helps the kids off the buses and into The Children’s Institute for an amazing day of fun, food, and excitement. Maura makes sure they receive breakfast and lunch, plays and hangs out with the kids, and makes sure they are having fun at camp.
Getting Inspired
“My mom [who works at The Children’s Institute] thought it would be good for me to volunteer during the summer. I did. After my first summer, I liked it so much that I come to The Children’s Institute whenever I can. I’ve volunteered for about 5 years.”
An Amazing Impact
“Volunteering has helped me understand what I want to do with the rest of my life and has made me aware that there are people in the world who need our help. I have also learned that I have a lot to give. I can give the kids guidance and help them whenever they need me. I think volunteering has made me a stronger and better person.”
Playing Favorites
“I love being with the kids. They are always so happy when they know someone cares about them. I like that I can interact with the kids in The Day School. These kids are really smart and I can also learn things from them like sign language.”
Amazing Amounts of Appreciation
“Yes, I do feel appreciated as a volunteer. All the people at The Children’s Institute are always so excited to have volunteers [sic].”
Lasting Memories
“Last year, at the end of the school year, I volunteered in Elisa Stanley’s classroom. She and Maddie (the Speech Therapist) asked me to do a lesson with the kids. We watched Ratatouille, then after we baked rat cookies. The kids didn’t really make the cookies well, but they had so much fun because they had never done that before. I made other cookies so they didn’t have to eat the ones they played in.”
From an Amazing Volunteer to an Amazing You
“I would recommend volunteering because The Children’s Institute is a wonderful place and in the end you’re not only helping the kids, but they help you.”
Lou Mackey
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Age: 71
Occupation: Retired Teacher and Administrator, Pittsburgh Public School District
Educational Background: Was a student for many years; Bachelor of Science from
Duquesne University, two Masters of Education and a Ph.D.
from the University of Pittsburgh.
Hobbies: golfing, reading, working out at the gym, running, hanging out at Jitter’s
coffee shop in Shadyside
Volunteer Area: The Day School
Volunteer of 13 years.
A Family Man
“I am blessed with a beautiful wife, Michele, and a gorgeous daughter, Angela. Angela is a freshman at Point Park University and volunteers at The Children’s Institute when she can. I also have one sister, a niece, and a wonderful mother-in-law and father-in-law.”
Being Amazing at The Children’s Institute
Lou has been a dedicated volunteer for 13 years and a great help to The Day School. In The Day School on Monday afternoons, Lou assists the children at lunch, spends free-time with them, accompanies them to the gym, and assists in any other ways he can. On Thursday afternoons, the children and Lou operate The Day School Store, where students have the opportunity to operate the register, practice their math skills, and interact with the public.
Getting Inspired
“It began with a desire to contribute to the community. Since my entire professional career was centered around children, The Children’s Institute was an obvious choice and it has become a labor of love.”
An Amazing Impact
“It has been the most rewarding experience of my life. The children are truly amazing and staff members are the most caring, professional individuals I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with.”
Playing Favorites
“[My favorite part is] the feeling of warmth and caring when you enter the building.”
Amazing Amounts of Appreciation
“If I had felt this appreciated while working, I probably wouldn’t have retired.”
Lasting Memories
“My favorite memory re-occurs each year when I attend the graduation exercises and watch the students I’ve known for many years receive their diplomas. Each year, I got a little more misty-eyed.”
From an Amazing Volunteer to an Amazing You
“I believe we should all give something back to our communities. At The Children’s Institute, no matter how much you give, you will take more home. My hat is off to those who make The Children’s Institute what it is – the medical staff, professional and paraprofessional staff, food service personnel, custodial personnel, etc. They also are truly amazing.”
