How Painted Fingernails Started a Generational Legacy of Giving Back
Sometimes, the most profound impact isn’t measured in the miles we travel, but by the lives we help change along the way. In 2016, Dawn Mitchell served as a Global Volunteer in Romania, which became the catalyst for something extraordinary. Drawn to international volunteering programs focused on children, Dawn took a leap of faith and brought her granddaughter along. That one experience didn’t just inspire personal growth; it launched a ripple effect across generations.
The Beginnings of a Family Tradition
Dawn’s first international service program to Romania was shared with her granddaughter and sparked the beginning of something much bigger. Dawn was hoping to make memories with a grandchild. What they gained was something no cruise or vacation could ever provide.
“My granddaughter had brought nail polish to do the girls’ nails,” Dawn shared, “and a profoundly autistic child put out her fingers to be done – and another child with stumps for limbs did the same. My grandchild looked at me and said, ‘What do I do?’ Need I say more?”
If you’re a grandparent, you know there’s no greater joy than seeing your grandchild grow into someone who leads with kindness. That moment said it all. It was the beginning of a family tradition rooted in compassion, global citizenship, and purpose-driven travel. It’s a generational legacy that is still unfolding.
“My granddaughter had brought nail polish to do the girls’ nails and a profoundly autistic child put out her fingers to be done – and another child with stumps for limbs did the same. My grandchild looked at me and said, ‘What do I do?’ Need I say more?”
~ Dawn Mitchell
The Gift of Giving Volunteer Travel
Dawn has yet to return herself, but her commitment continued, and her impact multiplied. She has since funded volunteer experiences abroad for eight of her family members through Global Volunteers.
From conversational English instruction with Polish learners in Europe, to nurturing at-risk youth in Saint Lucia, West Indies, to meal prep and labor at a large children’s home in Peru, her family’s legacy of love has spread far and wide.
Since childhood, Dawn knew she wanted to dedicate her life to uplifting marginalized communities as a social worker. She instilled these same values in her three daughters, teaching them that compassion isn’t just a feeling: it’s a force for action.
Her daughter, Meghan Harper, who served in Poland, reflected on this deeply ingrained family value, “We were taught to help our community and to give back whenever we can. I have done everything I can to continue that lesson with my own children.”
Dawn’s son-in-law, Jeremy Harper, who joined Global Volunteers in Peru with his son, shared, “To experience a place in the world with critical life-challenges has not only enabled us to empathize with less fortunate people but also reveals that we can make an impact even with the most minor gestures of kindness and generosity.” He added, “She could have saved the money for herself. Instead, she chose to create an experience my son and I will share for our entire lives.”
Whether you’re considering volunteering as an extended family (with minor or adult children) or group volunteering (via your workplace, student, alumni, civic, or religious organization), serving together allows us all to represent our country as global neighbors in the world.
“She (Dawn) could have saved the money for herself. Instead, she chose to create an experience my son and I will share for our entire lives.”
~ Jeremy Harper
Turning Holidays into Purposeful Giving
Every Christmas, Dawn turns gift-giving into generosity. Instead of presents, her family plays a game where the winner donates money to a charity of their choice.
This playful yet meaningful tradition underscores the power of instilling values across generations. As her grandson, Jack Harper, who served in Peru, wisely observed: “Supporting someone else’s service truly makes a difference because even if one life is positively impacted, it can create a chain reaction that makes everyone better off in the long run.”
Dawn’s generosity didn’t just send her family abroad to Peru, St. Lucia, and Poland; she invited them into a unique and meaningful way to connect.
“It wasn’t just one moment—it was the people,”
~ Meghan Harper
Lifelong Lessons from Serving Abroad
The value of service goes beyond the moment. Each family member brought back more than photos; they returned with new perspectives and other skills. “Service gave me values of compassion and patience,” shared Ben Harper, a grandson who served in Peru. “When I was teaching the kids English, we had a language barrier. It was important to stay patient and continue to work with them. I became more compassionate and felt a bond with whoever I was volunteering to help.”
“It’s important for young people to serve because it teaches humility,” said Jack Harper, another grandson who served alongside his dad. “It is common for young people to think they are so large and important, but devoting some time to service can ground them and put things into perspective.”
They’ll also carry with them memories that don’t fade with time. Ones that live on in the relationships they built and the moments that moved them. “It wasn’t just one moment—it was the people,” said Meghan Harper, who served in Poland. “Our co-volunteers were amazing, giving, and fun. The young people in the Polish-Ukrainian summer program impressed me with their resilience, kindness, and curiosity. That made our time so meaningful.”
“One of the most beautiful memories I’ll always carry,” shared Stephanie Gulley, who volunteered in Saint Lucia, “is the joy of watching the children just be themselves for a while.”
Volunteering abroad has transformed Dawn’s family into global citizens, community leaders, and lifelong volunteers.
Create Your Legacy Through Service
You don’t have to join a volunteer program yourself to make a difference. By sponsoring someone else’s volunteer journey, you help instill lasting values like kindness, humility, and compassion to help shape lives and communities for years to come. You can be the reason someone discovers the world and gives back to it. Help others to lead with kindness.
Request information for upcoming service programs that align with holiday breaks, perfect for families seeking purposeful travel during these special times.
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