Go-Giver: Melissa Bartley

Posted on July 2, 2012 By Editor Our Community

By Julie Kerns Garmendia

Volunteers commit to charities for a variety of reasons. In Melissa Bartley’s case, it was her grandfather. Henry Solomon’s rapid diagnosis and death from brain cancer led Bartley to the Northeast Florida American Cancer Society. After a difficult experience with hospice and Bartley’s personal feelings of loss and grief, she found solace helping other patients, families and caregivers touched by cancer. Now, Bartley has found her calling as volunteer chair for the cancer society’s Riverside Relay for Life.

“I believe that my grandfather needlessly suffered at the end of his life and it was over so quickly I struggled with what happened,” Bartley said. “Through my volunteer work with the American Cancer Society and Riverside Relay for Life I have turned that pain into something positive. I know that my grandpa would be pleased.”

As executive director for APEX Home Healthcare Services Bartley is already deeply involved in community and healthcare issues. During her free time, she committed to coordinate the Riverside Relay for Life as vice chair the first year and chairman for the past two years. Relays take place in several locations throughout Clay and Duval counties. Coordination and planning for the relay is a year-round responsibility requiring many hours. But Bartley said the relays are successful on many fronts. Not only are they great for the charity, but they’re also a win for the neighborhoods and communities in which the relays are held.

She described the scene. Teams form and do their own fundraising for the 18-hour relay where they take turns walking the riverfront track at the Yates YMCA. Survivors attend and many participants decorate luminaria bags in memory of loved ones to line the track. At exactly 9 p.m., the luminaria are lit and everyone walks in silence as each name is read aloud.

“It means so much,” she said. “Student volunteers from James Weldon Johnson and Stanton help at the events and many also serve on the board. Not only are they the life of the party as the hours go by and everyone else is exhausted – they are the volunteer leaders of the future setting an example for other youth and spreading awareness.”

Bartley’s own two children, Brandon, 18, and Ashley, 14, also volunteer with their mother at holiday events and art fairs held at local assisted and independent living facilities.

“My kids have gotten so much out of their volunteer experiences and it is always a great time for us to be together as a family, working together for a charity or the community. We have helped Dreams Come True and also do alot of 5K runs to help raise money for local non-profits. My kids especially enjoy those 5K events because they always beat me to the finish line!” she said.

Melissa’s brother Mark Solomon, his wife Ann and their four year old daughter Savannah also live in Jacksonville. The families enjoy watching their childrens’ activities, attending Ashley’s volleyball games and Savannah’s dance performances. The Bartleys also enjoy jogging (Melissa and Ashley) and running (Brandon) together in their neighborhood. Brandon is a serious Ultimate Frisbee competitor who will soon leave to begin his Navy training.

In preparation for Brandon’s departure for the military, this summer will be devoted to the trio spending as much time as possible together. The Bartleys are looking forward to a week-long vacation at Disney in Orlando.