Community Champion: Amber Storey-Knight
It’s time to recognize a Community Champion, an honor given to people making a positive impact in the community in partnership with Leaders Credit Union. We introduce you to a woman who has made volunteering a big part of her life.
“Taking is not as fulfilling as giving in my opinion,” said Amber Storey-Knight.
Moving from Australia to the United States back in the 90’s, Storey-Knight has been volunteering for the Jackson community for as long as she’s lived here.
“We found that Jackson was a lovely place to be and so we settled here. And then I thought, I will just have to get a job,” said Storey-Knight.
She got a job at the YMCA but says she needed to feel more fulfilled, so she started volunteering with the organization as well.
“We did a lot of fun runs and we sold pumpkins and we had wonderful fundraisers. I did silent auctions because the YMCA always needed fundraisers, you know, because it’s a not-for-profit,” said Storey-Knight.
Storey-Knight also got involved with the symphony association.
“We did a lot of fundraisers as you know. We brought Kenny Rogers here, Olivia Newton John here and they were big fundraisers,” said Storey-Knight.
But she says its the animals who hold a dear place in her heart.
“I got to volunteer for a spay and neuter program which I loved that but before that I volunteered for the Humane Society,” said Storey-Knight.
With the Humane Society, known now as the Animal Care Center. They also held the Fur Ball and Adopt-a-Thons, even making appearances on WBBJ’s Pet of the Week where many dogs found their forever homes.
“It was a heartfelt thing,” said Storey-Knight.
She’s also spent some time with the STAR Center, but most recently she’s been volunteering with Redemption Road Rescue.
“And they have been my heart. It has been my heart to save the horses and do fundraisers. I was the event chairperson for them for 11 years. We had big fundraisers we raised a lot of money and it’s been my heart,” said Storey-Knight.
Storey-Knight shares the importance of giving back.
“I think everybody needs to volunteer. Everybody needs to feel fulfilled and to give. I think it’s everybody’s duty. I do. Because it’s such a great feeling to be able to do that. It just is and everybody should have that feeling. Everybody should,” said Storey-Knight.
And for anyone looking to volunteer, she recommends starting with not-for-profits.
“They will guide you to the right place to volunteer. These people always need volunteers — always,” said Storey-Knight.
If you know someone doing good in their community, you can nominate them for the Community Champion award by clicking here.
For more local news, click here.
