From Supporter to Champion
Amanda Folk is not only a librarian at The Ohio State University, standing on the frontlines of information literacy and community access, but also a cornerstone of our BJH community! From the very beginning, even before we officially received our 501(c)(3) status, Amanda joined us as a donor on August 31, 2020, making her one of our earliest and most steadfast supporters. Since then, she's consistently gone above and beyond, becoming a vital member of our Sustenance Squad, a champion on our peer-to-peer fundraising team for the past two years (and yes, she was part of our inaugural p2p team!), and a passionate brand ambassador. You can always count on Amanda to amplify our message on social media, with a like, comment, or share that brightens our day. Her unwavering enthusiasm and dedication are truly invaluable, and we're so thrilled to share her story.
How did you get connected to BJH?
BJH co-founder Maria Accardi is my library school bestie and is also one of my favorite people. When I learned that Maria and Constance were starting BJH and why they were starting it, I knew that I wanted to be able to support them - BJH's success means success for members of their community who were in the most need of help. I know for me, it can often be hard to provide specifics about what justice looks like in practice - it can feel like an abstract, lofty, and grandiose concept - but the work that BJH does is an excellent example. We should all be so lucky to have an organization like BJH in our communities.
What was it like being a peer-to-peer fundraising champion for KY Gives?
Uplifting. The world was rough during last year's KY Gives, and honestly, it feels even rougher now. It's easy to get depressed. But being a fundraising champion was energizing and gave me hope. Just being able to brag on the great work BJH does and then see my friends and family who have absolutely no connection with Louisville be eager to support this work was so reassuring...like maybe hope, community, and love still exist and will overcome. Maybe that's sappy, but I had had the morbs the past couple of weeks and KY Gives Day really shook me out of it.
I also love the group text, and Steven's Zoom training session was excellent (both in terms of useful content and strategy, but also just enjoyable!).
What are your favorite ways to unwind and recharge?
I try to be as active outdoors as my body will allow. I love spending time with my four cats and dog and fussing over other people's adorable critters. I enjoy cross-stitching and embroidering photos I find in antique stores, and I love exploring the world with my partner, Allen, whenever I have the chance.
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