Volunteer Spotlight: John Nordmeyer

 Every Friday, like clockwork, John Nordmeyer walks through GLAM’s doors.

Sometimes he brings baked goods. Sometimes he heads straight for the laundry area. Sometimes he jumps into Tidy Friday without being asked. And sometimes, especially around the holidays, he shows up in costume, happily stepping into the roles of Santa or the Easter Bunny to bring smiles and levity to our space. No matter the task or the outfit, John shows up with the same steady presence and quiet determination to help however he can.

Over time, John has become a familiar and deeply valued part of our volunteer community. He helps launder and sort clothing so each PACK feels fresh and ready for its next home. He took the initiative to purchase and learn how to operate our jetpack vacuum system, improving efficiency for volunteers and staff alike. He doesn’t just notice what needs to be done. He steps in and does it.

But John’s impact doesn’t end when he leaves our building.

Understanding that transportation is a major barrier for many families, John regularly delivers PACKs to caregivers who cannot easily get to us. On one of these deliveries, John met Milika, a mother of three who shared something that stopped him in his tracks. Due to the recent government shutdown and disruptions in SNAP benefits, Milika was unsure how she was going to feed her children. Without a car, even accessing a food bank felt out of reach. She was doing everything she could, but the gaps were overwhelming. John listened. He completed the delivery. He left. 

And then, feeling the pull to do something more, he turned around.

Minutes later, John returned to Milika’s home with a meal in tow. It was a simple act, but one that meant everything in that moment. Milika later shared her gratitude with our team, a message that reminds us why volunteers like John matter so deeply. When systems fall short, people step in. When families feel unseen, someone notices.

John’s generosity extends far beyond GLAM. He also gives his time to the Batavia Rotary Club, Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army, and the New Richmond Garden Club, among several others. Wherever he volunteers, John brings the same instinct to help and the same belief that small actions, whether practical or playful, can make a real difference.

At GLAM, our volunteers are the heart of everything we do. They show up, they stay to chat, they bring warmth, compassion, and sometimes a costume. We are deeply grateful for volunteers like John, who remind us that service to others often looks like simply listening, then doing a little more.

Malika’s words say it best, and we invite you to listen.