CWS staff in the Raleigh, N.C. office: Renee Overton, Krista Connelly, Mary Catherine Hinds and Lisa Cozart.
Around the age of 10 I told my mother I wanted to work for CWS. Seriously, I stared at her and said, “I want to do that when I grow up.” Surely she looked at me and thought “yeah, okay” but little did she know I was called to this work. Was it fate, destiny or pure determination? I honestly don’t know but here I am at 27 years old working for CWS. I was CALLED to do this work.
Every step of the way I strategically made choices so that I could fight hunger with CWS. The college I chose, the degrees I obtained and the volunteering I took part it. Each decision was an integral part in my current career. This path wasn’t easy but it was worth it. When you are called, you know it. It is ingrained in your system. No matter what you do or how much you may fight it, your path is going to take you there. I count my blessings mine took me to CWS.
In 2008 while attending Greensboro College in N.C., I organized my sorority to take part in the Chapel Hill CROP Hunger Walk. I remember it being a VERY long walk. I also remember us getting VERY lost. Weirdly enough we also came in first.
After crossing the finish line a CWS staff member came up to congratulate us and gave us free t-shirts. Of course, I went up to her and explained how one day I was going to work for CWS and with her. She handed me her card and we parted ways. Fast forward a few years….
A few months ago I transferred from the CWS New England office to the Southeast office in Raleigh, N.C. Just yesterday I attended the Chapel Hill CROP Hunger Walk Team Leader Meeting. There I told this exact story.
What I haven’t told you yet is that the CWS staff member who I met in 2008 and gave me her business card; her name was Mary Catherine Bauer Hinds. Mary Catherine is my current supervisor and the Senior Field Director for the Southeast office.
Let that sink in….
Now was this fate, destiny or pure determination? OR maybe this was a very crazy coincidence. OR maybe, just maybe I was being called to that Walk, that day in Chapel Hill. I’m not quite sure but when I see Mary Catherine in the office it is a constant reminder of my calling.
It is my motivation. It is my drive. This. CWS. Fighting Hunger. THIS is my calling.
What are you called to do?
Krista Connelly, Southeast Assistant Field Director