Purdue for Life’s McBrite wins Franciscan Health Community Impact Award
On April 23, 2024, Michelle McBrite, facility & event manager at the Dick and Sandy Dauch Alumni Center, received the Franciscan Health Community Impact Award at the United Way of Greater Lafayette volunteer luncheon for her work with The Salvation Army. This esteemed award recognizes individuals whose volunteer efforts have made a significant difference within the surrounding community.
Michelle’s journey began back in 2000 when she first started volunteering with The Salvation Army. In 2009 Michelle took on the role of program coordinator for the Homebound Christmas Basket Program, an initiative aimed at bringing joy and comfort to homebound individuals in the Tippecanoe County area during the holiday season.
The primary objective of the Homebound Christmas Basket Program is to remind these individuals that they are not forgotten or overlooked, especially during a time when loneliness can be heightened. Michelle’s responsibilities as the program coordinator are multifaceted, requiring her to collaborate with local agencies to identify homebound residents in need, secure donations from local vendors for the baskets, and recruit a team of volunteers to facilitate the delivery process. On average, 75-80 volunteers are mobilized each year to ensure the program’s success.
Reflecting on her volunteerism, Michelle humbly remarked, “I initially volunteered simply to help. Volunteering not only helps the individuals that The Salvation Army serves, it also helps the program coordinators and officers continue to do their work and calling. Time is a common commodity we all possess. We may all use it differently and we may have varying amounts of time to give to others. But what time we do have to give, we should give it to others to make a difference in their lives.”
Christine Armes, Chief of Staff, Administrative Operations at Purdue for Life Foundation, commended Michelle’s dedication, and outstanding work ethic, emphasizing her pivotal role not only in caring for the Purdue for Life Foundation staff but also in positively impacting the broader community through her involvement with The Salvation Army. Armes expressed gratitude for Michelle’s contributions, stating, “Michelle is a real difference maker who improves the lives of others. We are so grateful to have Michelle as part of the Purdue for Life family, and we are extremely proud of her accomplishment.”
Michelle McBrite’s dedication to serving others exemplifies the spirit of community. Her contributions continue to uplift and inspire, leaving a mark on the lives of those she touches.
To learn more about volunteering with The Salvation Army, please contact: Marguerite Carless, marguerite.careles@USC.salvationary.org, 765-742-0006
To learn more about volunteer opportunities across our community visit: https://uwlafayette.org/volunteer/