Hannah Frevert has a saying hanging in her kitchen that she tries to live by every day: "When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence."
Frevert volunteers with literacy and educational organizations in hopes of learning about and helping her community.
Frevert received the inaugural Helen L. Fisher and John G. Fisher Good Samaritan Award - also known as the Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award. Redemption Inside the Walls and News Tribune partnered this year to select five "good Samaritans" who have gone above and beyond to help the Mid-Missouri area.
"I definitely get more out of it than I give," she said. "Moving to a new community, I do think it's really beneficial to be involved to better understand the community that you're living in. That's always been my motivation, and when I'm passionate about something I really contribute so go all in."
After moving to Jefferson City five years ago, Frevert immediately began volunteering at Adult Basic Literacy Education, a nonprofit that promotes literacy.
She currently tutors one student, though she said it's more of a friendship than a student-tutor relationship. For an hour a week, they review reading assignments and discuss English terms, as well as talk about things happening in their lives.
"Literacy opens doors, and literacy shapes the way we view the world," she said. "I think ABLE does a fantastic job of extending those life lessons to individuals who want it."
Along with teaching through ABLE, Frevert is a member of the P.E.O., a philanthropic organization that focuses on women's education. While she currently is a member of her hometown's P.E.O. chapter, she plans to join a local P.E.O. chapter.
Frevert received a scholarship from P.E.O. when she was in high school and said she now gets to help women in the same way they helped her.
Frevert also volunteers as a judge with National History Day in Missouri, a state affiliate of National History Day. During National History Day, students in grades 6-12 research historical topics or individuals and present their findings through documentaries, research papers, performances, documentaries, websites and exhibits.
This competition holds a special place in Frevert's heart as she competed in it when she was in junior high school.
"It's one or two days out of the year, but I've noticed that the small amounts of time can make a big ripple, so that's what I try to focus on - think globally but act locally," she said.
Frevert also volunteers on the Jefferson City Environmental Quality Commission, which discusses projects monthly to improve environmental quality in the community.
When Frevert isn't volunteering, she is working as the assistant editor and communication coordinator for The Missouri Bar.
Frevert said she is humbled to receive the Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award this year.
"I appreciate it, and I encourage everybody else to get involved in a way that they enjoy and betters our community," she said.
The other four Fisher Family Good Samaritan Award recipients are Victor Bell, Jody Delgado, Kyle Kittrell and John Schulte.
Also part of this series:
Unsung heroes honored, Michael W. Smith performs at Redemption Inside the Walls
Good Samaritan: Jody Delgado supports military through personalized care packages
Good Samaritan: John Schulte impacts community through smoke detectors, natural disaster response
Good Samaritan: Kyle Kittrell builds new beginnings through Habitat for Humanity
Good Samaritan: Helias coach, teacher Victor Bell leads by example