Anthony Parker is a high-energy guy. There’s a hop to his step that is contagious. Perhaps that’s what makes the 24-year-old one of Hands On Charlotte’s most popular and committed volunteers. In just over one year, he has served 107 hours – a significant portion of which he has spent at Special Rollers, a bowling league for people with developmental disabilities.
“Everyone is born into circumstances that we can’t control. This project allows me to serve people, who, in some instances, can’t always help themselves,” Parker said. “But when you think about it, that’s what service is, no matter if you serve people in poverty, in schools or other things. It’s all about being positive and overcoming challenges.”
His commitment to serving people with disabilities is common among many Hands On Charlotte volunteers. For a list of projects where you can volunteer like Anthony, click here.
Through Hands On Charlotte, Parker has made the city his home. After graduating from the College of Charleston in 2008, he moved to Charlotte to work for Wells Fargo.
“Because of Hands On Charlotte, I’ve been able to interact with people I never would have met otherwise,” he said. “It’s social, but it’s also organized, and I feel like I’m making a difference.”
Anthony’s commitment to volunteerism is deep. A member of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega in college, he has been finding ways to serve his community for much of his life.
“Life is all about serving people. It’s not really about you,” he said. “I can’t imagine not volunteering. It’s something that I always want to be a part of my life.”
--Tanner Kroeger
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