Jose Velez

Jose Velez

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Volunteer of the Month

November 2008

Jose is one of our Affiliated Photographer Volunteers in Brandon, Florida. He was nominated by his Area Coordinator, Kaye Newsome. Kaye says, "As Area Coordinator, I couldn't ask for a better 'go to guy'. Jose has never turned me down for a session. In fact, when my number comes up on his cell phone, he answers with, "Hey there, where do you need me to go and when?". He is awesome. I always try to send my newbie photographers out with him for the first time because I want them all to be like him! He is the ultimate professional. Always sensitive to the needs and challenges of our angel's families. Jose is always on the lookout for opportunities to promote awareness of NILMDTS and I consider him the perfect 'poster photographer' for our organization."

And Kaye isn't Jose's only fan! Co-Founder Cheryl Haggard has this to say, "I met Jose for the first time this past year at PPA in Tampa.  I was instantly drawn to him and how he spoke of working with his NILMDTS babies and families. Jose has an incredible, giving heart and goes so far beyond my expectations with his service to NILMDTS. Photographers like Jose are the heart of the NILMDTS organization".  One of his photographer colleagues, Patrick Burley, says, "His smile brightens a room - the NILMDTS families are blessed o have a man with Jose's compassion."

His colleagues in the Tampa Bay area of Florida refer to Jose Velez as the "Poster Photographer" for our organization. Even at the headquarters office, we benefit regularly from our November Volunteer of the Month's outgoing persona and regular offers to help out in a variety of ways.
Just a few days ago, Jose graciously stepped forward with another group of volunteers to represent our organization at the annual Pregnancy Loss and Infant Death Awareness (PLIDA) conference. Regularly, Jose also helps out the organization by translating our English documents and web site pages into Spanish. In a recent survey Jose completed for his Area Coordinator, this is how Jose explained the impact that volunteering for NILMDTS has had on his life: "I've grown as a person and as a photographer by being able to perform under such difficult conditions and by sharing in a family's moment of greatest pain and sorrow."

Congratulations, Jose, you are clearly due this honor!