SANDY DUFFY
director of fundraising
For 22+ years, I worked in the financial industry and had an amazing career. When asked, I would have defined myself only as a working mother of two. There really didn’t seem to be enough time for anything else in my life. Nearly two years ago, I lost my corporate job and, in some ways, part of my identity.
By the grace of God, I quickly knew that it would turn out to be the biggest blessing of my life. I lived and live by the motto “Let Your Faith Be Bigger Than Your Fear”. For as long as I could remember, I “just didn’t have the time” to do anything but keep my head above water.
Now I was off the hamster wheel and finally had the opportunity to add much needed facets to my life. Like a diamond that sparkles more brilliantly with each new facet, we too can create brilliance in our life.
After partnering with a consulting firm, I joined two local Chambers and met many new people. One of those new friends introduced me to Rotary International, where the motto is Service Above Self. I became a Rotarian so I can serve the community in which I live as well as teach my children about giving back. I bake weekly for a men’s homeless shelter. I read weekly, through Rotary, with 4th grade kids at a city school. I play tennis now three days a week. I am very active with fundraising for my daughter’s Crew team. I volunteer in my son’s 2nd grade classroom and never miss any game or event because I have to “go to work”. I’ve started my own business now, Discovering Your Present Self. I want to help others find peach and add brilliant facets to their lives.
I was first introduced to Jolly Lux, and Guiding Light Orphans (GLO), through the Avon Chamber of Commerce. Jolly was a guest speaker at our Avon Women Entrepreneur’s (AWE) meeting about a year ago. AWE is a Chapter of the Chamber.
Having a teenage daughter of my own who wants for nothing, I was especially moved by the plight of the young women in Uganda that Jolly spoke of. Simply stated, I could not bear that they must suffer for lack of basic necessities. Over the following months, I heard Jolly speak again at my Rotary meeting. She shared the story of the young woman that planted the seed for what would become GLO. I was so moved by the story and the work that Jolly and her team were doing.
I continued to build my friendship with Jolly, learning more about the villages that were being served by GLO and learning more about the woman behind this effort. Needless to say, I was thrilled when Jolly asked me to serve on the Board of Directors. I consider it an honor to work with such fine individuals who are working their hearts off to shine light on these angels so far away.
Serving on the Board of Directors for Guiding Light Orphans is another brilliant facet in my life.