Mary Schulte
There's a common thread that runs throughout Mary Schulte's charitable and professional activities.
"All of the organizations I'm involved in allow me to continue being a mom," she said. "My youngest left for college 11 years ago. Parenting was everything to me, and I still had gifts to give."
The vice president of wealth management for Morgan Stanley Smith Barney found an outlet for giving through work. "The clients that come to me are looking for a relationship, not just a financial advisor," she said.
In addition, she found another outlet through her volunteer activities. Five years ago, she signed on as an overnight shelter volunteer for DuPage PADS, an organization focused on ending homelessness in DuPage County, an affluent suburban area west of Chicago. The experience was so fulfilling, she's done it ever since. "What a gift the homeless give me—allowing me to be on their journey. I'm the one who gets to feel good," said Ms. Schulte.
Since 2004, she has been the volunteer director for a high-profile fundraiser, the PADS Run/Walk, generating more than $60,000 in sponsorships and in-kind contributions for Public Action to Deliver Shelter. She also serves on the PADS board.
In addition to providing overnight shelters, DuPage PADS offers a daytime support center, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. Programming includes coaching in life skills, job skills, and transitioning into housing. More than 1,100 homeless people were served in 2008 through the help of 4,000 volunteers from 130 congregations and civic organizations.
Ms. Schulte's giving philosophy is simple: "Shame on me if I didn't share my gifts."
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