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by Nicole Bush
It’s not difficult to make volunteering a year-round
priority for your family, as these Atlanta families
demonstrate. They’ve found ways to involve even the
youngest family members in their volunteer efforts and
all show that the best role model is an active,
volunteer parent. Here’s how they incorporate
voluntarism in their daily lives.
Sagdrina Jalal, Lilburn
Husband, Abdurrahim; sons, Malik, 12, and Darsi, 9;
daughter, Skye, 3; niece, Aiyana, 13
Atlanta Parent: How did you first get involved in
volunteering?
Sagdrina Jalal: It’s always been a part of my life. My
family has been involved in Jack and Jill of America, a
national service for families. Both of my parents were
also involved in the civil rights movement. Some sort of
service has always been instilled in me and been around
me.
AP: What projects and charities have you been involved
with or organized?
SJ: I’m very involved in the Georgia Teen
Institute/Guide. I’m an adviser for the group, which is
a prevention program for teens that teaches abstinence
from alcohol, drugs, tobacco and sex. Right now we are
collecting teddy bears for the kids in local battered
women’s shelters, through the Partnership for Domestic
Violence. My kids are helping with this project.
Malik is on the youth council of the NAACP Gwinnett
Executive Committee, and he’s a member of the Youth
Action Team of GTI/Guide. Aiyana does a lot through
Diamond in the Rough. Skye [is] in the Princess Club, a
group of five little girls, ages 3-5. She loves to …
make care packages for the kids at hospitals. My husband
volunteered his landscaping business services to Habitat
for Humanity through both service and materials. He also
did work with the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
AP: Why is volunteering important to you?
SJ: I think that it’s part of our responsibility to
share the world and help each other and provide support.
I believe that when you’re in a position to help that
you should.
AP: What do you hope your children will learn from their
volunteering?
SJ: It keeps my children grounded and reminds them of
their blessings and exposes them to people of all walks
of life. They embrace differences. It’s clear that they
are open-minded and [that] they see their
responsibility.
AP: What advice would you give other families who want
to start getting involved?
SJ: I think it’s important to start with what interests
you: PTA, animals or whatever. Most organizations based
around a specific interest have some sort of community
service branch or organized opportunities. Kids can get
involved with donations to the Salvation Army and
Goodwill and provide for families who need things, too.
 Susannah Balish, Buckhead
Husband, Chris; twin sons, Ian and Will, 6; daughters,
Cameron, 7, and Kate, 3
AP: What projects and charities have you been
involved with or organized?
Susannah Balish: I’ve helped with Junior Achievement,
[teaching] kids about business, research and starting
their own business. I grew up in this organization, so I
felt I should give back to it since it helped me.
Through the Junior League, I’ve done work with Grady
Health Systems. My family has done work with Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta. My husband is involved in this
new organization, Project One Junior Golf Academy, which
sets up after-school programs for underprivileged kids.
We try to seek out ways to help as a family. We went to
Wesley Woods, a retirement community, and made crafts
with the residents; just spent time with them to cheer
them up [for] an hour or so. We also sorted clothing and
shoe donations by types, sizes and seasons for City of
Refuge.
AP: Why is volunteering important to you?
SB: I think being caring and compassionate is something
that Chris and I really value and we want to instill
that in our kids.
AP: What do you hope your children will learn from their
volunteering experiences?
SB: Through volunteering, the kids have an opportunity
to see the real impact that lending a helping hand can
have. It’s instilled in our lifestyle and is a part of
our daily routine.
AP: What advice would you give other families who want
to start getting involved?
SB: Schools and churches are probably the easiest and
best opportunities for kids and families. It’s nice to
have someone who is the liaison to the organizations.
Nursing homes are also great for kids; they are always
welcomed because it just lights up the faces of the
older residents. And, of course, Children’s Healthcare
of Atlanta. They have great opportunities like making
cards and things.
 Rosa McHugh, Atlanta
Husband, Brian; sons, Alexander, 4, and
Jack Morgan, 7 months
AP: How did you first get involved in volunteering?
Rosa McHugh: I’ve been doing it all my life. I started
in ninth grade by visiting [a nursing] home. We played
card games and just spent time with them. Back home –
I’m from Puerto Rico – I would also play with the
children at children’s hospitals.
AP: What projects and charities have you been involved
with or organized?
RM: I was really involved in this project called Box
City through the Junior League. I taught kids in
low-income schools about cities and how they’re made.
I’m a board member for the Center for the Visually
Impaired. Alexander is very aware of what I do at CVI
and wants to help me do anything that I do at home. I
always do whatever I can at my son’s school. I’ve been a
[chairperson] for one of the fundraising projects, and I
do all the little things to help with programs or
whatever.
AP: Why is volunteering important to you?
RM: We are all part of a community, and if we all do a
little bit, we can move mountains. If we all gave a day
or even an hour, we could really make a difference.
AP: What do you hope your children will learn from their volunteering?
RM: I want them to feel like they are part of a
community, and I want them to want to give back. They
are lucky enough to be born into a family that can love
and support them. They should be able to give back to
others who don’t.
AP: What advice would you give other families who want
to start getting involved?
RM: Parks have
great opportunities through conservancies, and they have
volunteer days to clean the parks and other projects for
families. Churches and Hands on Atlanta are also good
options. The Atlanta Community Food Bank is a good one,
because it’s super fun and easy for kids.
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Hands on Atlanta: 404-979-2800;