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A family tradition: Wisconsin mom instills value of volunteerism

Editor’s note: At Best Buy, we celebrate all mother figures. Here’s one example of a Best Buy mom celebrating her family and making a difference in her community.

Pam Spillner’s a senior finance specialist, mom, and volunteer extraordinaire who has inspired a whole new meaning to the phrase “Best Buy family.”

Her daughter, Ali, is a Geek Squad Agent at Store 1052 in Stevens Point, Wis. Son Jarod is also an Agent who makes in-home repair visits. The siblings have followed in their mom’s footsteps in more ways than one. The trio all works for Best Buy, but more importantly, the “Spillner Crew” has created a family legacy of volunteering.

“Growing up, my parents and grandparents always said ‘You help your neighbors, you help your community,’” Pam said.

She has instilled that same philosophy into her kids.

Most recently, they volunteered at the Portage County Boys and Girls Club in Stevens Point as community outreach through their Best Buy store. They helped with general set up and tear down, served meals and sold raffle tickets. The annual event brought in more than 200 people and raised needed money for the community program. And thanks to volunteers like the Spillners, it went off without a hitch.

But the Spillners don’t draw the line at just one event a year. They have been community volunteers for as long as Pam can remember and make it a point to help at almost any event they can.

A mother’s love

Supporting the community is one reason why Pam loves volunteering, but now more than ever, it’s a chance to bond with her children when schedules are busy.

“With all of us being so busy and running around to jobs, it gives us time to spend together and it’s a family tradition,” she said. “It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.”

The feeling is mutual among her two kids. Jarod sees the volunteer events as family get-togethers.

“We don’t have much time at home to talk, so it’s really nice to come together during the events and help our community at the same time,” Jarod says.

The family often gets home after an event, still bubbling with energy, and talks about what went well or what they liked the most.

Getting to laugh and smile together is one of Ali’s favorite parts. “It’s just a big friendship, and I love the energy when we’re together,” she says.

Pam is proud to see their family passion become a lifelong tradition of giving. “The kids have grown up and still have that commitment to the community,” she said.

Learn more about how Best Buy aims to make a positive impact on communities.