Though the cultural gap may be a wide one, a man who grew up in Humboldt, Saskatchewan is making a difference in the lives of youth in Los Angeles, California.
Jaime Hepp, the son of Glenn and Bonnie Hepp of Humboldt, was honoured by the Boys and Girls Club of Ameria on October 8 in Marina DelRay, California.
Hepp was honoured for the selfless contribution of his time and money to help several hundred kids in the Los Angeles area.
"I grew up in a community where I didn't see poverty. Living in Los Angeles has made me more compassionate to those in need because I see them everywhere," Hepp said. "It's too easy to ignore people and try to focus on our own lives and our own needs. I like to take the time to listen to people in need. Two things happen: my purpose to serve others grows and I become more thankful for the blessings in my life," Hepp stated.
In his work life, Hepp is the president of Team TAG, a California-based sales and marketing firm. But away from work, Hepp, his wife, JoAnne, and his staff are involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Venice, a place Hepp called "a beacon of positive influence in Los Angeles."
The pair and their company were honoured by the club for their contributions at their fifth annual Champion of Youth Gala, where Hepp receive the Corporate Leadership Award. The award recognized Hepp's committment to the club and Team TAG's ongoing volunteer efforts with the organization.
"It's humbling to be getting this award," Hepp is quoted as saying. "The reality is that I'm just a spoke on the wheel. The credit really goes to the dozens of selfless volunteers that we've had participating over the year. I feel really lucky to be a part of something special. Working with the kids, the Club and all the volunteers fuels my passion to make a difference in the lives of those around me."
Hepp's involvement with the Boys and Girls Club of Venice started about five years ago, when Team TAG was looking to give Christmas gifts to some families in the community. After calling around to some non-profit organizations in the area, they decided to work with the Boys and Girls Club because they made volunteering really easy and fun, JoAnne Hepp indicated at the awards ceremony.
After that first experience, the Hepps and their company came to appreciate the space the organization provided for the kids, and the way they helped these teens on their journey to adulthood.
They also saw the impact their efforts had on the people they were helping.
"All of us came back from that experience (saying) we've got to do this more often," said Hepp during his speech at the awards ceremony.
"We made a commitment that we can't just do this at Christmas. We want to be more involved," he said.
So they stayed involved.
After that Christmas, Hepp said, they put together an event at the club to help make an impact, a difference in the lives of the youth at the club.
"I was nervous," Hepp admitted. "I'm from Saskatchewan, Canada... I'm from a small, little town, so for me to try to even relate to teenagers growing up in Los Angeles, forget it," he smiled.
They went down to that first event and talked about leadership and public speaking, and sales - the niches in which his team excels. The kids didn't listen at first, he laughed, but when they handed out some iPod shuffles, they had their full attention and started asking when they were coming back.
Since then, Team TAG has participated in the serving of Thanksgiving dinner, the San Diego Mud Run, a Six Flags Magic Mountain trip, sailing and kayaking in Marina DelRay, and many more. Currently Team TAG is in the process of raising money for Operation Smile, a children's chariety treating facial deformities such as cleft lips and cleft palates all around the world.
Hepp now serves on the club's board of directors and has been active in engaging Team TAG and team members in a variety of mentoring and leadership programs at the club.
He has learned some things through his involvement, Hepp noted.
First, that the boys and girls they deal with are very smart and don't need to be told what to do.
"What they're really looking for are people willing to listen to them... That's probably one of the biggest lessons I've learned... (to) keep quiet and listen to them."
The second lesson he's learned is about himself.
"I'm at my best when I'm serving," he stated.
"How people spend their time and money will pretty much expose their priorities," he said. "And the club helps keep my priorities in check."
In an email, Hepp told the Journal that he owes his volunteerism to his parents.
"Kudos should really go to my parents (Glenn and Bonnie) for being great examples of people who care about their community - and who selflessly give to worthy causes. My mother's passion at the SPCA and my father's passion to teach inspire me to be a better a person. I'm just following their lead," he stated.
