Live United Hero: Scott Stolze
With great esteem I nominate Scott Stolze as a local hero for his generosity and commitment to helping those who are truly in need. I met Scott while he worked this year as Community Ambassador for United Way and have been inspired by his enthusiasm to spread our message for people to LIVE UNITED in addition to his ongoing efforts in New Orleans. Scott is low-key and humble about his work and emphasizes it takes the collaboration of individuals and organizations to make an initiative successful. Scott is motivated by “helping people who really need the help.” He’s a great example that one ordinary person can be the catalyst to extraordinary things. Thanks to Scott and many volunteers like him families are having their basic needs met.
Feeling unfulfilled in his for-profit career in IT/Software Scott left and volunteered at St. Bernard Parish which lies next to New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward and stayed 14 months. “I don’t know how I’m going to do (it) but I’m going to go down there and help,” Scott reflected back. Scott saw the need for furniture (beds, tables, etc.) as people transitioned from temporary living arrangements to homes and with another volunteer started a program to address it.This volunteer program focused on getting to know families or individuals and meeting specific needs for their home. Through this effort more than 30 families received household items to furnish their homes. In January 2008 Scott revamped this program and with the help of several other people officially started Furnishing For Hope (F4H).
Today, F4H continues to provide families in New Orleans with donated furniture to make their house a furnished home.
After two years of service/volunteer work Scott remarks, “I found my passion—my heart is in doing this kind of work and helping people.” It’s no surprise after talking with Scott it’s easy to see that he’s full of kindness and understanding. His real life heroes are his parents. He explains, “my dad has one of the most compassionate hearts and my mom’s work ethic is unbelievable. I was taught really good values.” His historical hero is former President Teddy Roosevelt because “he had an amazing drive to do what he believed...whenever I think of ideas of inspiration I open a Teddy Roosevelt book.”
Scott you rock!
Scott you are truly amazing! As one of the friends you "left" in Arzona to go do what you felt called to do in New Orleans, you are MY inspiration! Thank God for people like you. I have stepped up my giving to United Way and other organizations this year, even thought it is a tough year to give more, because I know the need is great and because I think about you and all that you have sacrificed and it makes me feel like what I do, just giving money, is so minimal. Thanks again and we miss you in AZ!!! Your bud, Sheila
The new Hope for the survivors...
The people of New Orleans, the victims of Hurricane Katrina, on the other hand, have been waiting for years for the things they need—like new homes! It’s sad that it takes a celebrity like Brad Pitt to motivate people to help their fellow Americans, but at least Pitt is making a difference. Pitt is the spokesperson and lead of the Make It Right Project. Make It Right is an effort to rebuild homes in New Orleans. Pitt was compelled by the devastation and ruin he witnessed in the Lower 9th Ward, one of the hardest hit neighborhoods. Make It Right is going to build 150 homes in the Lower 9th Ward. Pitt is projecting that families will be in their new homes by the end of summer 2009. By the end of summer 2009, families will have been waiting nearly four years to re-establish themselves in New Orleans. It’s about time that someone took initiative to help the families in New Orleans. Like I said, it’s sad that it takes star power to get people involved, but I’m glad Brad Pitt was inspired to help. I feel like he will really get the ball rolling. Better late than never, I suppose. I cannot imagine waiting three or four years for emergency aid.
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