Welcome to all readers! My name is Megan Schmitz and I am a junior at the University of Richmond where I am double majoring in Political Science and Economics. After graduation, I plan on pursuing law school and eventually hope to assist a non-profit. This summer, I have the pleasure of working for Hope Hollow as a fellow! 

Hope Hollow is a Columbus based non-profit that delivers hospitality and hope to cancer patients and their loved ones, who are in financial need, by providing lodging, transportation assistance (e.g. gas gift cards), and nutritional support (e.g. restaurant or grocery gift cards).

I was fortunate enough to start early with Hope Hollow, so today concludes my first month of work. This past month has been chalked full of new faces, inspirational stories, exciting projects, and lots of laughs thanks to abundant jokes from Kevin, Hope Hollow’s co-founder. 

From the very beginning, Kevin and Jane, Hope Hollow’s founders, have entrusted me with projects that will shape the trajectory of Hope Hollow. I am so fortunate to be a part of a fellowship program and organization that is dedicated to exposing young people to every aspect of non-profit work. Within my first week at Hope Hollow, I had already met with Hope Hollow’s board and attended several meetings about Hope Hollow’s website. 

Something that I have grown to appreciate through my first month at Hope Hollow is how tirelessly Hope Hollow’s co-founders, Kevin and Jane, work on behalf of the cancer community that they serve. Whether it be working on referrals, the 2021 Give a Gift of Hope Campaign, Hope Hollow’s website, or providing emotional support to patients, Hope Hollow’s co-founders exemplify what it means to have “the heart of a servant.” 

At the beginning of my fellowship, Jane asked what I wanted to accomplish throughout my time at Hope Hollow. At the time, I did not have a direct answer, rather emphasized that I wanted a holistic experience. While I have already accomplished great things, such as working alongside Kevin to double our Linkedin following (feel free to follow along: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hopehollow) and writing a grant proposal, the goals that I wish to accomplish cannot be quantified. Rather than a physical accomplishment, I hope that my time at Hope Hollow continues to bring attention to this wonderful organization and the phenomenally inspirational cancer patients and loved ones they are serving. 

I titled this post “we receive more than we can ever give,” which is a phrase that Jane has mentioned several times regarding Hope Hollow and the cancer patients it serves. I truly believe that I have already received more from Hope Hollow than I could ever hope to give back.