The hum of a drill. The smell of freshly cut wood. Sawdust gathering at his feet. In his garage, William carefully measured, cut and stained one piece of lumber after the next, transforming raw materials into something new: a Plinko board.
It began as an idea tossed out by SAFE Animal Shelter’s event coordinator and became a 60-hour project. Hard work. Patience. Precision. All were required for a result that could be a source of fun, and just as importantly, raise funds for the organization.
“In my time volunteering at bingo night with SAFE Animal Shelter, Colette (the event coordinator) is always trying to think about new ideas on how they could make it more fun, more engaging,” said Wiliam, who works in digital experience at VyStar. “She had mentioned some minute-to-win-it games: human slot machines and even Plinko. After hearing some of that, in my mind, I knew I had the ability and desire to begin my woodworking journey somewhere. … It was most certainly a learning experience and a fun project to create for the animal shelter.”
The finished product quickly became a big part of bingo nights. It even caught the attention of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, who asked William to build a second board. Thanks to lessons learned, he cut the build time nearly in half — finishing in 40 hours — and gave the community a second board ready to brighten events.
“They were both made from wood and dry erase marker board so they could be customized to the event or whatever activity they were being used for,” William said. “The animal shelter utilizes this feature to write in what prizes will be won in each of the slots at the bottom.”
Finding A Passion for Volunteering
For William, this kind of hands-on work is the heart of volunteering. But it wasn’t always that way. He admits that when he first joined VyStar, he treated volunteerism more as a requirement to check off. Something shifted, though, when he started volunteering at SAFE Animal Shelter’s bingo nights. The atmosphere, the people and the cause clicked with him. That gave him a new perspective.
“Volunteerism to me is a way for me to be involved with the community and meet new people, or in some cases work with the same people,” William said. “While it may seem simple to volunteer at bingo every month, to me it’s more so being involved with the animal shelter and taking on some responsibility that helps them in the long run. For example, making the Plinko board for fundraisers or mini games between bingo cards. It’s not just time we volunteer — it’s expertise, our opinions, thoughts and ideas.”
VyStar's purpose is to Do Good. One of the ways employees live that out is through offering their expertise, opinions, thoughts and ideas to improve their communities. In 2024, VyStar employees totaled over 40,000 volunteer hours, more than ever before. The goal for 2025 was to continue growing that number.
William is helping to make that total grow. He now aims to take on at least two events each month, building a rhythm of service as steady as his woodworking hands.
The impact of his work is clear. In the boards he’s constructed and in the connections he’s made.
“I am inspired to continue doing good in the community by seeing the smiles and appreciation on the members of the community when I step out into the community to volunteer,” William said. “Not only have I met different people around the VyStar organization but members of the community too that rely on the volunteering we do. The sense of importance from those interactions is also why I continue to Do Good.”
Actions Speak Louder than Words
William has a favorite quote that inspires him to Do Good: “Actions speak louder than words.”
From the garage to the bingo hall, William’s story shows how service, like woodworking, takes patience, precision and care. When guided by helping hands, it builds something that lasts.