Volunteering is an important aspect of humanity, and no one knows that better than Neil Hill ’51. He’s helped with Albright College’s Freshman Scavenger hunt and taught middle school aged children how to improve their self-esteem. Through it all, Hill discovered that volunteering not only touches the lives of the people he assists, but it also helps to shape his own life.

At the early age of 17, Hill embarked on what may have been his most important volunteer commitment, the United States Army Specialized Training Reserve Program. However, his volunteer career didn’t end when his time in the U.S. Army came to a close. He has been a member the Reading Jay Cee Club, treasurer of Albright College’s Class of 1951 and an active member in the Zeta Omega Epsilon fraternity.

“I really enjoy volunteering for anything that involves students. It’s very rewarding.”

Since Hill was an active volunteer throughout his days as an Albright student, it’s not surprising that he has remained active as an alumni volunteer. He’s served on the National Alumni Association Board for eight years where he held the office of president for two years. He stepped into the role of an Albright College Alumni Trustee for four years and served on the Class of 1951 reunion committee. And he continues to be active as the chair of the Reading/Berks Area Alumni and Friends Committee.

Hill fondly recalls coming back to campus as an alumni volunteer to tally the votes for Albright’s Homecoming king and queen, and assisting with freshman move-in day. “I really enjoy volunteering for anything that involves students. It’s very rewarding.”

In addition to being an Albright College volunteer, Hill has immersed himself in the community. He was an active volunteer for the Antietam School District, and eventually held the position of president of the school board for four years. He was also a member of the Lower Alsace Township Supervisors from 1986-1998, which included six years as president.

Other involvements include membership in the Atonement Lutheran Church, 15 years in Crime Watch, Reading/Berks Literacy Council, and the Reading Rotary Club, in which he currently serves as secretary.

“My favorite part of being a volunteer is meeting people and facing challenges,” Hill says. He also admits that he thrives on keeping busy. Volunteering, he says, provides him with that opportunity. “By staying connected to my alma mater it enables me to maintain relationships with fellow classmates and create new connections with current Albright students, faculty and staff.”

Not only has Hill’s volunteer work helped numerous organizations, it has also helped broaden his understanding of people. Prior to working with volunteer groups, Hill admits he lacked some of the necessary skills to succeed in business. But his experience as a volunteer, he says, has taught him to adapt to the ideas, views and opinions of others.

In addition, Hill says he feels that his decision to pursue a career in sales was a direct correlation with the successful experiences he had with people at a volunteer level.

“My favorite part of being a volunteer is meeting people and facing challenges.”

Volunteering provides a sense of accomplishment through helping others, he says. Taking orphan children Christmas shopping, being the first to know the outcome of the Homecoming King and Queen election, and the unique opportunity of personally handing his five children their high school diplomas are experiences he says he holds close to his heart.

Hill encourages everyone to get involved as a volunteer in some way or another. “Your help is needed and you may discover that you personally get as much out of volunteering as the organization benefits from your time and efforts.”

Choose a group that shares your personal interests, he says. “You may find your volunteer experience to become the forum for learning valuable lessons about life, or it may become the foundation upon which you build your future life and career choices, all the while affording the opportunity to gain a sense of accomplishment that you cannot find elsewhere.” Hill stresses, “You can make a difference by volunteering.”

—Kelly Ferry