Dorian Ranta finds nothing more fulfilling and healing than dancing. At a young age, Dorian’s mother encouraged her to take a class. She enjoyed it, but it wasn’t until she was an adult and took another class that the spark was really ignited. Now twice a week Dorian finds time to dance. She takes dance classes of all types; Belly, African, Iranian and Salsa.
Dorian encourages everyone to take a dance class. She says anyone at any age level can do it. “There are few things that can improve the mood and health as well as dancing. Dancing is so adaptable. It’s for everyone.”
Recently Dorian Ranta lost her mother. Nothing helped her move on more than dancing. “Dancing helped me to move on. It has such a healing element and gave me that self-esteem boost I needed.”
Outside the office, Sheila Cook is passionate about horses. Whether it's time spent riding, grooming, camping, feeding, choring or scooping, Sheila tries to spend as much time as she can with her 4 horses. As owner of her own company, time away from the office can be difficult. Sheila credits Quill with helping her order online very quickly so she can get outside and ride. When she can get away, she spends weekends camping with her horses in the beautiful scenery of Shawnee National Forest, Southern Illinois.
Ever since Christine Magnussen was 12 years old, she has wanted to make a difference. To do so, she became a therapeutic harpist who combined exquisite harp music with heartfelt compassion, and brought peace and comfort to those in need.
Christine played her harp at cancer centers, hospitals and other health care settings. Her training brought forth the soothing and restorative qualities of gentle music. “When I played, I witnessed a profound calm in response to the music.” In tribute to her listeners, Christine created her CD, ‘On Wings of a Dove—Harp Music to Soothe the Soul’ used by therapists, healthcare providers and health care facilities throughout the country. Organizations also use it as a popular fundraiser. “My dream is to get this CD to everyone who values the health connection between body, mind, and spirit.”
The CD shipping station in Christine’s office is filled with Quill products. She ships each CD in Quill padded mailers. “Quill is the most outstanding company I have ever done business with. The customer support goes above and beyond, fulfilling my orders with high quality products that appear at my doorstep almost as I hang up the phone. Quill’s service is absolutely unequalled!”
One step at a time, Johnaca Kelley is helping Birmingham get healthier and happier. As vice president of the Birmingham Track Club (BTC), Johnaca Kelley is passionate about running. She is Captain of a BTC team for Race for the Cure, a fund-raising 5K that benefits the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. She also helps coordinate BTC members' participation in other races like Race to the Courthouse, which benefits the YMCA's Strong Kids Campaign. In addition, Johnaca is also involved with BTC's program called Danny Haralson's Couch to 10K. This program offers assistance to anyone who wants to start running and training the safe way. "The most rewarding part is seeing other people succeed and to help them reach their goals," says Johnaca.
When Elizabeth Daniel moved to Chicago, she needed an outlet. She picked up a camera and hasn't put one down since. She carries a camera with her each day and continually captures the beauty of ordinary objects at ordinary locations during her commute, on her lunch break and any other time she gets inspired. "I carry a camera with me each day, not because photography is a part of my day job, but because I see the beauty through the raindrops on my windshield," says Elizabeth. In addition to her job as Assistant Publisher at Lake Claremont Press, Elizabeth also works as a wedding photographer and says she is honored to share such a special time in such an intimate way with a couple.
Kathryn Straniero took a volunteer opportunity and turned it into a career and passion. How'd she do it? In 1982, Kathryn heard about Together We Cope, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those in need. She wanted to help, and now with a small staff and about 100 volunteers they are able to provide food, clothing and financial assistance to hundreds of families in need. Where does Quill come in? According to Kathryn, ordering from our Web site is fast and simple and delivery time is very short! Plus, the extras like cookies and movies give them even more ways to help the community.
Marc Stowbridge is seeing stars, literally. Passionate about astronomy, Marc hosts star parties in his backyard observatory. Ever since seeing his first issue of Sky & Telescope magazine, Marc has been drawn to the sky. He eventually bought his own telescope, majored in science and joined the New Hampshire Astronomical Society. And today, his passion still burns bright. “There’s nothing like seeing the look of amazement on someone’s face when they see Saturn for the first time.”
Doggy drool and wet noses can't keep Kim Smetters away. Kim's passion, volunteering as a dog walker for a Save-a-Pet Adoption Center in Grayslake, IL, (a not-for-profit, no-kill animal shelter) started when her neighbor gave their pet away to the shelter. It was then she realized she wanted to help out other dogs that didn't have homes. She volunteers her time every weekend walking and socializing with the dogs, which allows their true personalities to come out. "The highlight of my volunteering is being able to show love and share one-on-time with a dog in need and ultimately see that dog find their new forever home. Save-a-Pet is always looking for caring people to volunteer their spare time to the animals. It is extremely rewarding knowing that your time spent with these animals means so much to them.”
Marcia Applegate has been an active member of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) for over 15 years. This organization, which is Marcia's passion, helps all working women come together and grow personally and professionally - through opportunities for networking, leadership and training. "The best part for me is meeting women from all over the country, who are inspiring, active members of the community."
Terri Kent's passion for helping people and dogs has led her to the Wolf River K-9 Search & Rescue team. Terri and her partner, Jaela, a Belgian Malinois, who are certified in searching for lost persons, assist on call outs from Law Enforcement and Fire Departments. In addition, Terri and Jaela coordinate programs to educate the public about K-9 Search and Rescue teams and teaching children what to do in case they become lost. In addition, Terri also helps foster American Eskimo dogs for Heartbandits of Appleton, WI. "This means something to me because this type of volunteer work is so rewarding, not only do I get to work with my dogs, but am also helping out our communities in times of need.” As if Terri’s passion for helping didn’t extend far enough, daily she works for a non-profit organization supported by The Lions of WI, a camp that offers disabled children an opportunity to attend a week-long camp at no charge and do the things “normal” kids do.
All Stacey Macoy has to do to enjoy her passion is strap on a helmet and jump on her Harley-Davidson. "When I throw a leg over my bike, start her up, and take off, all of the everyday tasks and worries blow right off my shoulders." Stacey enjoys her passion by taking road trips with her sisters and girlfriends. She enjoys the stunning views and the bonds that develop while riding. "It's great the people you meet along the way. Such camaraderie between bikers."
What began as a painful 45-minute commute two times a week has flourished into a real passion. Elaine Tulving's passion, organizing boys' soccer teams in her community, started when her mainly Hispanic community of Borrego Springs, CA, didn't have a local soccer team. She would drive her son long distances twice a week to get him to practice. In an effort to bring this sport into her community, Elaine organized her own boys' soccer team. From there she has gone on to organize four teams over four divisions, all to play in the same community. She has grown her teams from just two players to 48 players. "This community really stands behind its youth."
Elaine Soloway worked in public relations for 30 years when she decided to follow her passion and write a book. What became of that decision is her memoir, "The Division Street Princess," which documents her life in the 1940s, growing up in a unique Chicago neighborhood. Elaine says the book is both bittersweet and nostalgic, and the best part about this experience is the enthusiastic reaction she's received from hundreds of people who either lived in her old Humboldt Park neighborhood, or who had similar childhood experiences, despite being from different religious or ethnic backgrounds.
Doris DeChario is passionate about clowning around. She volunteers as a therapeutic clown at local hospitals to help cheer up patients. It was during church when she met her calling. "Therapeutic clowns came to talk to the group. They did a routine and asked for volunteers to join." After that day Doris decided to attend "Clown College" and learn therapeutic clowning. When asked to identify one moment as the highlight of her experiences Doris said, "Spending the day with terminally ill children."
Not everyone gets to spend their lifetime following their passion. Lois Bravo didn’t discover her passion until age 61. Lois, who has never taken an art class, discovered her talent as a digital artist. Her unique form of art she calls 'Lois Images', is created by deconstructing a photo by liquefying it and creating a totally new image or painting from it. Lois says finishing a project is a great accomplishment. "The best feeling comes when I see something and the vision of an object comes to me and then I work with it."
Marsha Anisoquili Raymond, a woman of Native American and Celtic heritage, has kept her passion alive since childhood. At a young age Marsha’s father would take her deep into the North Carolina woods and teach her about the interconnectedness of humankind to the natural world. Today Marsha passes down that information to others by sharing her culture through traditional native storytelling, the native flute, singing and ecological teachings. With such a rich history, Marsha believes teaching children about the old ways helps to keep the past and her passion alive. “It’s glorifying to know that kids are ready to understand and be a part of caring for the Earth.”
