Volunteer Spotlight: Steve

Steve Powell

Born and raised in Michigan, relocated to Canton Ohio in 1998 for a job and have made Canton my home. I work for a small software consulting company, mainly managing software installation and post go-live projects. I think my unofficial job title is a human punching bag, but I still enjoy the challenge that it bring each day. I try to find humor in the worst situations. The world is full of so much anger and sadness, we just need to laugh more, even in the most inappropriate time.

Favorite Food: I’ll eat anything put in front of me, with the exception of fruit, especially cooked fruit. Don’t ever try and slide a piece of fruit in to a perfectly good pastry. A fruit pie is NOT dessert!!

Color: Depends on the mood, but you can never go wrong with blue.

Season: Not sure I have a favorite season, but the perfect day is 70 with no humidity. Living in Ohio, we typically get 1 or 2 of those a year, so I enjoy those 2 days, no matter the season. Otherwise, I’m probably complaining that it is too hot, too cold, too rainy or cursing the leaves that have fallen in my yard.

Activity: I’ll try anything once, except skydiving, seems unnecessary when there is a perfectly trained pilot who has made it their life work to get you to the ground safely (while remaining inside the plane). I do enjoy the mountains and hiking and traveling to the west coast. I’ll take an overcast mountain trail over a sunny & sandy beach any day.

I was first informed of GiGi’s by friends Andy and Cyd DeVore, whose daughter, Lana, was born with Down syndrome. Initially it was Cyd “asking” (but really just informing me) if I would help with the Friends, Fun and Fitness program. What keeps me volunteering, is witnessing the progress and enjoyment expressed from each of the participants. I admire their discipline, dedication and infectious energy.

I volunteer for the GiGiFIT program with an amazing group of people. The program would not be what it is today if not for the dedication of the participants, their families and the amazing volunteers that help run and lead the program each week. It is important that I recognize 3 of the remaining OG’s of the program, Sara Dye, Amy Czubaj (if you find yourself trying to pronounce it, we all do, it’s fine), Cyd Devore (along with past volunteers Derick and Jeff and of course all of our new volunteers). We would not have the program we have today without all them. Especially Cyd, she brings the snacks.

Each week is new experience and you can not help but leave the Playhouse in better mood than you arrived. My favorite part of the entire night is the battle ropes. Each one of the participants leave it all out on the field. Watching them fall to the ground in complete exhaustion once I finally count them down to 1 is the best part of the entire night (for me, maybe not them).