Volunteer Spotlight: Sara Sweet
As part of the ongoing Volunteer Spotlight series, we checked in with volunteer Sara Sweet on why she chooses to donate her time and energy to Alphapointe.
Q&A with Sara
Tell us about you…
I am a born and raised KC native so my roots to this wonderful city are strong. I am a sales rep at Bennett Packaging. Alphapointe is one of our long standing customers and I have the privilege to work with this organization on a daily basis.
Why do you volunteer at Alphapointe?
My grandfather was a board member for quite sometime many years ago, so when there came an opportunity for me to become a C&C Group Alphapointe Pro-Am golf committee member at Alphapointe I jumped on it. It was one of the easiest decisions I have made.
What does volunteering at Alphapointe do for you?
I love volunteering at Alphapointe. It makes me feel more connected to the Kansas City community and I fully believe in what Alphapointe’s mission is for the people of Kansas City and across the nation.
What do you want to share with others about Alphapointe?
Alphapointe does so many more things than I think most people realize. They provide vision services for the community and, not only that, but they also employee people with low vision in facilities across the nation.
Why should others get engaged with Alphapointe?
Not only for the fact that you will be giving back to the community you live in, but you are also giving purpose and opportunities to individuals who may not have been given one before. It is fulfilling not only for yourself, but for the people you are empowering through Alphapointe’s work. What is better than that?!
What is something you think everyone should know about Alphapointe?
Alphapointe is a fixture in the Kansas City community, and I think that more people should be aware of the types of services and opportunities that Alphapointe provides to this area.
What’s the most important thing Alphapointe does from your perspective?
There are several things that I think Alphapointe is doing that is very important. The programs for youth with vision loss and blindness are incredible, inclusive programs that they have finessed exceptionally. Also, all the work they do with the adult community with visual impairments is incredible.
If there’s one public policy change you could make to help people with low vision, what would it be?
I would say achieving equal opportunity employment across the board for people with vision loss and blindness. It shouldn’t just be on Alphapointe, this needs to be implemented across the nation for businesses to become more accessible to people with visual impairment for employment.
