Volunteer Spotlight: Rachel Hezlep, Rutledge, Pennsylvania

We continue our National Volunteer Week blog series by highlighting Rachel Hezlep, a Look Good Feel Better volunteer from Rutledge, Pennsylvania who has been recognized with the 2016 Look Good Feel Better National Sunrise Award in the Look Good Feel Better Certified Volunteer category.

Rachel Hezlep has been a volunteer with Look Good Feel Better for nine years, during which she led more than 65 group patient workshops, and helped at least 250 women and teens. An Area Trainer for the greater Philadelphia area, Rachel teaches new Look Good Feel Better volunteers how to conduct workshops. She is also trained to lead the Look Good Feel Better for Teens programs that are hosted at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.  Rachel is a wife and mother, works full time, and volunteers at four Look Good Feel Better host sites, yet has never missed a workshop or an opportunity to promote the program.

We asked Rachel a few questions about her experience with Look Good Feel Better, and here is what she had to say:

 

What brought you to Look Good Feel Better? 

Before I became an esthetician, I worked in the marketing department at a children’s hospital. I got to interview and do photo shoots with children and families dealing with cancer, but I knew I wanted to do more. When I switched careers from writer to esthetician, it was a no-brainer. I had to get involved with Look Good Feel Better.

What has been your most memorable moment with Look Good Feel Better and why?

I went up to a workshop participant and quietly asked her to be my model. She was hesitant and started to say how she was feeling down because she just lost her hair and was embarrassed because all of the other participants’ hair looked so good. One by one, they each took off their wigs when they heard her talking to me. She was astounded…in the best of ways. She couldn’t believe how she had no idea these other ladies had no hair. Everyone started laughing and immediately bonded. I got goosebumps; it was so great.

What is your favorite section of the program? Is there a particular reason?

No doubt, I love watching the ladies working through their makeup kits. They get so excited by the products, but it is especially fun when they decide to try something new like eyeshadow and eyeliner and say, “I never wore this before, but think I am going to start to incorporate it in my routine!”
Why do you continue to volunteer with Look Good Feel Better, or why would you recommend it to others?

I have said this a million times: I may be helping to lead a workshop as a volunteer, but I leave the workshop feeling so inspired because of the ladies I meet. When we get to share our knowledge as beauty professionals to ladies who are going through a most difficult time, it is truly a gift.

 

 

Engraved awards generously provided by Plaques by Azra.