A World Visionary

The activist and writer Martin Luther King Jr. said life’s most urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?” Judi Hindes has been asking that of herself her entire life.

Entering Judi’s apartment in Sewickley, you can see her passions proudly displayed across her walls. There are family photos, handmade treasures from her travels and various items monogrammed with a “J,” many given by those whose lives she’s touched.

In her office is a computer sitting in front of a brick accent wall that brings even more of her personality into the space, representing strength and uniqueness. This office is where she organizes her thoughts, keeps in contact with friends and family and coordinates her volunteer work.

Though she has volunteered with various organizations pre-retirement, her current place of choice is World Vision, a humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities in need world-wide.

“Compassion for those in need is my greatest motivation.” – Judi Hines, Masonic Village at Sewickley

At World Vision’s Pittsburgh Global Distribution Center, donated products, such as hygiene, medical, school and clothing, are sorted, processed and prepared for domestic and international distribution. Judi is one of the more than 7,500 volunteers working in the facility every year. Together, the volunteers, in combination with other World Vision centers, help distribute more than $3 billion in necessary survival items.

Since Judi doesn’t do anything “willy-nilly,” she has committed herself to volunteering monthly with World Vision for the last four years and has recruited other Masonic Village volunteers.

“Compassion for those in need is my greatest motivation,” Judi said. “I am blessed to be in a situation where I, myself, don’t need the help, so I feel strongly about helping others.”

Through her service, her eyes were opened to the amount of childhood poverty in the nation and across the globe. According to World Vision, one out of five children in the United States live in poverty. The statics across the globe are even worse, in fact, basically unmeasurable.

Judi truly believes in the importance of education and its power to help people rise from difficult situations. Although her background is in business management, Judi dedicated many pre-retirement years to teaching children sign language through Bible school and choirs, one of her many passions and talents.

“Kids have so many interests,” she said. “Encouraging those interests can change their lives. Some children are enthralled with learning sign language, which is wonderful because it could motivate them to build a career helping others.”

If Judi had to be selfish for one moment to explain what volunteering does for her, she’d give you a short phrase to remember: “Volunteering just leaves you feeling blessed.”

Learn more about volunteer opportunities across Masonic Villages, including our summer youth programs in Elizabethtown and Sewickley: https://masonicvillages.org/about/volunteer/.