Helping Hands: Joanne Melodayo

Name: Joanne Melodayo

Hometown: Syracuse, NY

Title: Volunteer at the Gulf Beaches’ Chamber of Commerce

How long have you been volunteering?

About seven years.

What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering?

“I had retired from the working for the federal government and I saw a sign saying they needed volunteers, so I came in.”

What do you like about volunteering?  

“Meeting different people and business owners. Making lots of friends and feeling good about giving back to the community.”

How often do you volunteer?

“I volunteer here once a week.”

What keeps you interested in volunteering?

“Everything is different all the time. Trying to make the tourists know what’s going on at the beach. A lot of people come down here and don’t what’s happening on the beach."

How can the public help out?

“Find out what your interests are, and volunteer with something that fits your interests. Although volunteering isn’t a job, it’s a commitment.”