Last fall Elizabeth Miller-Nelson stepped up and helped HEART with one of the most sought after skills a nonprofit could ask for from a volunteer: graphic design.
Elizabeth took our annual winter newsletter and revamped it into a gorgeous and professional publication. This year, she helped us again and now it’s available online. We can’t thank her enough for lending her time and expertise to help us create this vital newsletter that educates others about HEART’s programs.
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I am originally from Ft. Worth, Texas, but have lived in New York City for the past seven years. I am a graphic designer and theater artist, writing, directing plays, and painting when I have time. Currently I work as the Art Director for SDC Journal, a boutique magazine about the art and craft of stage direction and choreography published by the theatrical labor union, SDC. I have always been nuts about animals, and when I was a little kid, my parents actually banned me from kissing animals. I’m sure it’s because it wasn’t sanitary, but I couldn’t help myself and the ban failed miserably. I kept kissing them. I love all animals, but lately, I’ve been chicken-crazy.
Q: Why did you decide to volunteer with HEART?
When I learned that HEART needed some assistance with their newsletter, I knew this was something that I could easily help with outside my regular office hours. I design newsletters for my current job, and it was really a simple service for me to provide. I didn’t even realize it was volunteer work when I did the first one! And of course supporting an organization such as HEART is a great way to give back to a broader community of folks dedicated to encouraging positive change.
Q: What projects have you worked on as a HEART volunteer?
I updated their current newsletter design, more seamlessly incorporating images with text, and helped to direct focus and guide the reader through the piece. I also baked some vegan cupcakes and cookies for a HEART clothing swap.
Q: Why do you support HEART and humane education?
I wish I had been exposed to a program such as HEART when I was a kid – I think it’s so important to educate our youth so that they can decide for themselves how they want to live their lives. There are many choices a person can make, some big, some very small, that can have a positive impact on our world. From participating in Meatless Mondays, to recycling at home and at school, we all have opportunities throughout our daily lives to live by example, and hopefully leave the planet a little bit better of a place than the way we found it.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for everything you have done and continue to do for HEART.
