Volunteer Spotlight
Meet Jill Epstein
Jill Epstein has been a volunteer driver with On the Go since 2018 and sent us one of the greatest selfies we have ever seen!
Q: This is such a great photo! How did it happen?
A: I love it too! I know the couple, Barbara and Raymond, pretty well because we live in the same neighborhood and I have driven them several times. I also love dogs and was happy to help them get their two dogs to the vet. Once I got everybody—the dogs, the people, and both of their walkers—loaded into the car and took a look behind me at the back seat, I thought it was so adorable that I had to take a photo!
Q: Why do you volunteer with On the Go?
A: I’ve always enjoyed volunteering with JFS because I strongly believe in the mission. I started out working in the Hand Up Food Pantry warehouse. But I have a pretty busy schedule right now—I travel a lot for my job and have two teenage daughters in high school—so I don’t have a lot of extra time or bandwidth. I needed to find something more flexible, and driving for On the Go has proven to be a good fit for my lifestyle. It’s a very simple commitment that also provides a meaningful and gratifying volunteer experience.
Q: If you were to encourage someone to volunteer with JFS, what would you say?
A: The message I would love to get out to other people is that anyone can be an On the Go driver. The program is so flexible and so easy. Speaking as a divorced, working mom with two high school kids—if I can find the time to do a couple of rides a month, anyone can!
People think they have to commit to “X” hours a week, or maybe even the same time every week, in order to volunteer. And that’s why is so unique. You can do it on your own time—wherever you want to go, and when you want to go. Weekends too!
I also love getting to know people who live in my community that I wouldn’t otherwise get to meet! It always makes me feel good to know that I’ve helped someone.
