Volunteer Spotlight: Heather — Making Room for Connection, Community, and Joy

At Better2gether, we’re grateful for volunteers who believe every family deserves support, connection, and moments of joy. This month, we’re shining a spotlight on Heather, who was introduced to our mission through her employer, Williams Mullen, and her colleague, Better2gether Board Member Mehanna Borostyan. 

Heather’s first volunteer experience was helping assemble Rest & Relaxation Kits for family members caring for children with rare and chronic illnesses. The experience opened her eyes to the unique challenges these families face and the gaps in support that can leave caregivers feeling overwhelmed and alone. 

As a mom of three healthy children, Heather reflected on the everyday demands of family life and how difficult it can be to balance work, school, finances, and caring for everyone’s needs. Imagining those responsibilities alongside the ongoing demands of navigating a complex healthcare system brought the importance of Better2gether’s mission into sharp focus. 

“What makes Better2gether’s mission so important? It’s definitely the ‘let no one fall through the cracks’ vibe!” Heather shared. “Better2gether’s starting point picks up where other organizations have left off.” 

For Heather, that commitment to supporting the whole family is what makes Better2gether so special. She saw it firsthand at a Family Movie Night, where the genuine smiles and heartfelt thanks from children and parents reminded her how meaningful it can be to create opportunities for families to simply enjoy being together. 

She also discovered that volunteering could become a family affair. Her 9-year-old daughter, Simone, loves meeting new people and making friends, and Heather watched her excitement grow as she realized that community service could mean spending an evening crafting with others. Her 13-year-old son has also expressed interest in volunteering with Better2gether, hoping to gain experience and give back to his community. 

For Heather, seeing her children embrace service has been an unexpected and meaningful gift. She hopes they will discover the same sense of purpose she found through community involvement when she was young. 

Heather also recognizes something many people may not fully understand about families raising children with rare and complex medical conditions: the uncertainty of when, or if, the daily constraints of caregiving will ease. While the demands of raising young children change over time, families navigating lifelong medical needs may not have that same reassurance. 

“Better2gether creates spaces where some of the constraints of life-long caretaking can be shed, even if just for an afternoon,” she explained. From planning accessible activities the whole family can enjoy to connecting caregivers with practical support, Better2gether helps create moments when families can focus less on managing challenges and more on making memories. 

Heather’s advice for anyone considering volunteering? “The more, the merrier!” 

We couldn’t agree more! Heather, thank you for sharing your time, compassion, and enthusiasm with Better2gether—and for showing your children the power of giving back. We’re so glad you’re part of our community and grateful for the joy you help bring to families throughout Central Virginia. 

Want to get involved? There’s a place for everyone at Better2gether! Whether you volunteer on your own, bring a friend, or make it a family activity, your time can help families feel supported, connected, and less alone. Together, we can make sure no family falls through the cracks.