WHY HEATHER LANGE CARES

I’m a true believer that everything happens for a reason.

Born and raised in the Kansas City area, I’d never lived away from home. After community college, I realized that if I wanted to grow up and become something, I needed to experience life in a bigger city. I decided to move eight hours away from friends, family and everything I had known, and ended up in the Windy City. I could go on for days about the special place Chicago will always have in my heart, but that’s not what this is about.

While attending Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago, I started volunteering for the USO of Illinois. The USO is a non-profit organization that supports our military and their families. This was my way to give back to the brave men and women serving our country.

It opened my eyes to a whole new world. As my last semester started, I enrolled in a class required for all graduating seniors. Little did I know, this would change everything I thought I wanted for my future.

Throughout the semester we had the opportunity to learn about many non-profit organizations and social enterprises like Bucketfeet, Neighbor Capital, Streetwise, and many more. A few of the organizations visited our class to tell us how they were changing Chicago and even the world.

We were able to volunteer with the different organizations and write about our experiences. This is when I realized my passion had completely changed. I wanted to be a part of an organization that changed the community, and ultimately the world.  I needed to be a part of the ‘greater good’ by impacting and empowering those involved.

After finishing school, I moved back home to good ole Kansas City. One day at work, I received a call from one of our wholesalers. We ended up talking for a few minutes about how I volunteer for the USO of Missouri’s mobile unit. He told me that he was a part of an amazing organization started by his good friend.

After he explained what The Call KC was all about, I remember saying “I don’t think you know this, but you are talking to the right person! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!” Before you know it, I was ready to hit the ground running because everything in the last few years was leading me to this point.

Having the opportunity to work with The Call KC is something that truly excites me. I am ecstatic to be more involved with our community by helping all kinds of organizations.

All you have to give is a couple of hours, a few times a year. Whether that’s starting down the street or across town, together we will make an impact. I look forward to working side by side with fellow Kansas Citians who want to make the world a better place, starting right here in our hometown.