Featured Volunteers

Bryon Hutchens

How did you find out about UnderShare?

My friend Jamie told me about it. (awwww, I’m so glad we’re friends Bryon)

What made you interested in the organization?

The idea that something as simple as a clean pair of underwear being able to improve someone’s life, even if only a little bit, just makes sense to me.

What has been your best/most positive volunteer experience with UnderShare?

Gathering underwear donations from friends and co-workers. (Bryon has led the charge for underwear drives at his ad agency for more than two years now without me even asking!).

What role do you have in the organization?

I help collect donations and assist in producing the “Drop and Give Me Undies!” e-newsletter. (Bryon also designed the Drop and Give me Undies! logo so that we could have super cute T-shirts at our events!)

What other charitable groups are you involved with?

AIDS Walk, Revlon Run/Walk, Aga Khan Foundation.

How long have you been involved with UnderShare?

A little over two years.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start volunteering?

If there is a cause that you believe in, don’t hesitate… Get involved!

Are you currently employed? If so what is your position?

Yes, I am a studio artist with Ogilvy & Mather Advertising, in Culver City.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

Snowboarding, Photography, Music, Graphic Design, (any form of artistic expression).

Anything you want to add?

Keep up the great work!

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De Jur Jones

How did you find out about UnderShare?

I was reading an article about one of the yoga events (I am a yoga junkie) and UnderShare was mentioned. I googled, checked it out and decided to get involved.

What made you interested in the organization?

I am a flight attendant and have been collecting hotel amenities (shampoo, soap, toothbrushes/paste, etc.) along with fellow flight attendants for 10 years. I distribute them to area shelters. I love what UnderShare is doing and I wanted to share my collections. I have also begun an ‘undie’ drive in our crew lounge at LAX. Yay Delta Flight Attendants! I encourage other airline staff to set up collections boxes in your offices. You will be amazed at how much will be donated.

What has been your best/most positive volunteer experience with UnderShare?

We are providing a rarely donated item (undies/socks) to those who need it most.

What role do you have in the organization?

An avid collection point.

What other charitable groups are you involved with?

Avon Walk, Ann Douglas Center, OPCC.

How long have you been involved with UnderShare?

Six months.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start volunteering?

Find a cause that speaks to you: animal welfare, homelessness, our vets, our seniors, ecology, and children. There are so many causes that can not function without volunteers. There is a cause out there for every interest. Choose one and get going.

Are you currently employed? If so what is your position?

Yes, a Flight Attendant.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

As I mentioned, I practice yoga regularly. I enjoy photography, travel, the great outdoors, and sports cars.

Anything you want to add?

God bless you for your work.

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Maria Naisbitt

How did you find out about UnderShare?

Through a friend and co-worker, Trisha Maoz. She has been volunteering with UnderShare for several years and is currently the Public Relations Director and an Event Planner for the organization.

What made you interested in the organization?

When I was told about the cause and UnderShare’s fun and active approach to build awareness, I immediately wanted to be involved.

What has been your best/most positive volunteer experience with UnderShare?

Simply being around so many amazing, caring and giving people. Jamie Klausner, the President of UnderShare and Trisha Maoz, PR Director have been so supportive and a true inspiration. Their enthusiasm and dedication to the cause has made it such a pleasure to be involved.

What role do you have in the organization?

Yoga Instructor for the Fitness Events.

As a yoga teacher, I’ve had the privilege of teaching several of  the group Yoga Classes for UndeShare’s Drop And Give Me Undies! fitness events.  It’s been an amazing and inspiring experience to bring together such a wonderful and giving community, to be able to give back, at the same time, introduce people to the endless benefits of yoga.  What a beautiful thing! Oh yes, the extra touch of everyone wearing the so cute UnderShare Ribbed T’s during class makes the event even more fun and special!

What other charitable groups are you involved with?

Through the years I have donated to San Francisco based City of Dreams, helping youth living in low income housing build brighter futures.

How long have you been involved with UnderShare?

Only since March 2010 but I plan to be involved for years to come!

What advice would you give someone who wants to start volunteering?

 

Choose a cause that resonates with you and contribute in your own creative way, whether it’s donating or volunteering your time to events. Everyone’s contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference and will help so many in need!

Are you currently employed? If so what is your position?

Yes. I currently teach all level yoga classes and Restorative Yoga at RakSa in Culver City , Vinyasa Flow classes at the Santa Monica YMCA ,as well as teach private clients. Besides teaching, I also work in the Reservations/Sales office for the Esperanza Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (Part of Auberge Resort collections).

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I love my own Yoga and Meditation practice. It keeps me calm & balanced in this hectic and fast paced world. Listening to my favorite tunes & dancing (especially Salsa!)  keep my spirit alive.   I also have a passion for travel and experiencing new cultures. I’m currently learning French!

Anything you want to add?

Thank you to UnderShare for everything that you do. You are a true example of selflessness and kindness in this world.

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Trisha Maoz

How did you find out about UnderShare?
Through a dear friend, Jamie Klausner, who has been a long time supporter and volunteer for UnderShare, and who is now serving in the role of President.

What made you interested in the organization?

For the last four or five years I have supported the organization by participating in and attending UnderShare events, the big annual event has always been a fun one. From the “Oh Sexy Girlfriend” Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction to the stand-up comedy event at The Improv, UnderShare has always found ways to bring together amazing talent to benefit a great cause.

What more can I say…good cause + great people + entertainment + undies = AWESOMENESS!!!

What has been your best/most positive volunteer experience with UnderShare?

Realizing that I had more to contribute than I thought I did. It’s a great feeling to do something meaningful that positively impacts others.

What role do you have in the organization?
Event Planner and Public Relations Director

My evolution from supporter to volunteer happened quite seamlessly; over lunch with Jamie light bulbs started to go off; she had just commenced her role as President and was sharing her plans for the next year including some really innovative event line-ups that would allow UnderShare to hold drive events on a more regular basis…it was the concept of a series of fitness classes lead by local instructors who are willing to give their time. Realizing that I knew a few fitness instructors I took the lead to ask if they would participate. The result was the very successful Drop And Give Me Panties! events in which we collected over 200 packages of new underwear for Sojurn Services for Battered Women and Their Children in Santa Monica.

Taking it a step further a partnership was formed with Ribbed Tee who has so kindly donated the tee-shirts for our D&GMP events and is donating a portion of proceeds from the sales of their new Protector tank top.

To keep the momentum going I plan to lead PR efforts to generate press and greater awareness about the efforts of this wonderful organization.

What other charitable groups are you involved with?

Heal the Bay and two online charity forums called Care2 and CauseCast, Both are social networking sites that focus on an array of worldwide causes.

 

How long have you been involved with UnderShare?

As a supporter for about 4 years; as an active volunteer for about 4 months.

What advice would you give someone who wants to start volunteering?
There are so many ways to give back, from one time participation to a full fledged volunteer commitment. Find something that you’re passionate about; lend support by utilizing your personal strengths, skills and resources.

Are you currently employed? If so what is your position?

Marketing Manager for Auberge Resorts handling everything from collateral development to advertising and PR campaigns, website development, eblasts, social and brand marketing…it’s a great creative outlet and I love the company and people I work with.

 

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

Kickboxing. Country music. Watching Netflix movies snuggled on the couch with my hubby and two kitties.

 

Anything you want to add?

I’m a vegetarian (watch Food, Inc.) and advocate of natural and organic beauty products that are free of toxins that pollute both our bodies and the world.

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Shannon McCarthy & Lauren Plumb

How did you find out about UnderShare?
We found out about UnderShare through a Delta Zeta e-mail this summer.

What made you interested in the organization?

The event [Oh Sexy Girlfriend…Bachelor/Bachelorette Auction] sounded like it would be something fun to participate in and UnderShare seemed like a great cause.
What has been your best/most positive volunteer experience with UnderShare?

Our best volunteer experience with UnderShare thus far has been meeting all the wonderful people in the organization and being able to work more with each other!

What role do you have in the organization?
So far we are happy volunteers assisting with event planning!
What other charitable groups are you involved with?

In addition to Delta Zeta sorority, we are both highly involved on campus with activities such
as Feed the Hungry where we bring packed lunches to a shelter in Santa Monica, De Colores where we take weekend trips to Tijuana, Mexico to build houses and other various campus ministry activities.
How long have you been involved with UnderShare?

We are new!

What advice would you give someone who wants to start volunteering?
Wear underwear…ha-ha, and just do it, its fun!

Are you currently employed? If so what is your position?

We are both students at Loyola Marymount University

Lauren is majoring in communications. She works as a lifeguard at LMU and has an internship at an advertising and marketing agency.

Shannon is majoring in theology. She coaches summer camp at LMU and works in the athletics department.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

We are both from NEW YORK and we both love DELTA ZETA!

Anything you want to add?

Lauren loves sports, her favorite is lacrosse, and she loves to travel and learn new languages. Shannon loves being around her friends and having random fun and loves trips to Disneyland and being in So Cal!