Volunteering is more than giving your time—it’s about connecting with others, building empathy, and creating lasting change. The act of volunteering has a profound impact not only on the people you help but also on your own heart and perspective. It’s a way to weave yourself into the fabric of your community and discover new ways to grow, both personally and professionally. For Taylor Hicks, volunteering has been a lifelong journey of turning compassion into action.
Taylor’s Story: Leading with Heart
Taylor Hicks has a heart for kids with disabilities and has been acting on it her entire life. During her high school years, she organized a pageant for girls her age with disabilities. The memory of the joy each girl felt during the pageant kindles a warm smile on Taylor’s face. When she felt the tug to connect more deeply with her community in 2023, esp (Extra Special People) was a natural draw. For nearly 40 years, esp has been dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and their families in Georgia.
Taylor started her journey by volunteering with esp’s Miracle Tournaments. The Miracle League, a nationwide organization, removes barriers that keep individuals with disabilities off the baseball field and lets them experience the joy of playing. It’s about making new friends, building confidence, and being treated just like other athletes. The fully accessible esp Miracle League Field is utilized by participants almost every day, offering countless opportunities for community members to plug in, just as Taylor does.
The Big Hearts Gala was Taylor’s next connection point, where she enjoyed getting to know another esp participant as a buddy, walking them down the red carpet to kick off the evening.
Inspiring a Community Through Connection
Excited about the connections she was making, Taylor shared her experiences with her coworkers at DCO Commercial Floors. Her enthusiasm sparked the leadership team to commit corporate time and resources to esp. Looking for a meaningful way to create real connections, DCOCF provided dinner for the October Around the World Club Event in Athens. While some of Taylor’s colleagues were initially timid, esp staff offered guidance to help them feel comfortable acting as a participant’s buddy for the evening’s events.
“The staff is very organized, making it so easy to plug in. As a volunteer, you get one-on-one time with someone, and you can see the benefits of volunteering immediately. I leave every event feeling full,” Taylor shared.
Taylor’s impact has extended far beyond her personal involvement. Inspired by her passion, DCOCF has made esp their number-one philanthropic partner for the year ahead. They’ve committed to taking ten employees to the Big Heart Gala, sponsoring the Athens Talent Show, and bringing the Java Joy cart to their headquarters later this year.
Join the Movement: Be the Difference
Taylor Hicks is a shining example of how one person’s passion can inspire meaningful change. Her story reminds us that volunteering is about more than just giving—it’s about creating a ripple effect of kindness, connection, and hope.
If Taylor’s journey moved you, imagine the impact you could have by stepping into the world of esp. Whether it’s cheering on players at the Miracle League Field, walking the red carpet with a new friend at the Big Hearts Gala, or simply sharing a smile over coffee from the Java Joy cart, every act of service creates a brighter future for esp participants and their families.
Be the difference. Join esp’s mission to create a more inclusive world, one joyful moment at a time. Visit esp Volunteer Opportunities to learn more about volunteering, esp Corporate Partners to explore sponsorship opportunities, or Donate to esp to support the esp mission. Together, we can transform lives—and our own—in extraordinary ways.
