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Many people contend life is what one makes of it. Jaime Pannone backs that opinion every day by exuding and encouraging positivity, finding strength in compassion and fulfillment in selflessness. The 34-year-old resident of the 1000 block of Mifflin Street began her career as a teacher and has determined to keep instructing, with the power of community involvement as her chief theme.
“I feel unfulfilled if I’m not assisting someone,” the Connecticut native and New York-schooled individual, who has lived in East Passyunk Crossing for one-and-a-half of her six years in Philadelphia, said. “Being a participant in enriching activities seems automatic to me.”
Through her National Board of Medical Examiners employment, Pannone has helped to improve literacy among second and third graders by uniting with Philadelphia Reads. Children, along with adults, also gain resolve via her role as a guitarist for Musicians on Call, through which she plays for four hospitals’ patients. A fitness buff, too, she fixes rides for Neighborhood Bikeworks and motivates downtrodden figures as a helper for Back on My Feet, which uses running to give the homeless a sense of self-sufficiency.
“Back home, I found many opportunities to contribute, so that when I came to Philadelphia, I could recreate that through a neat built-in system of groups,” Pannone said. “I enjoy every program I’m affiliated with and see nothing out of the ordinary about wanting to give.”
The altruistic presence has felt compelled to crusade for camaraderie since childhood, with her mother, Anne, as the primary inspiration. Having had giving of herself instilled as a value during her formative years, she enjoys having the opportunity to ponder and select from so many life-affirming causes. Always considering what could come next, she is looking forward to taking on more endeavors, with investigations into music therapy and interaction with Soccer Without Borders as the foremost chores.
“The individualized experience compels me,” Pannone said. “I love being able to inject myself into situations to feel a part of a large community.”
Deeming volunteering a key benefactor of her mental and physical well-being, she anticipates adding legions of contacts in reminding everyone that giving leads overtly to receiving.
“I’m very honored to be among the recipients,” she said of her difference maker selection. “It’s humbling to be numbered with great people.”
Contact Managing Editor Joseph Myers at jmyers@southphillyreview.com or ext. 124.
2013 Difference Makers
/ Bruce Baldwin / Anthony Benedetto Sr. / Lou Berman / Beth Coleman /
/ Diane DellaVella / Phyllis DiLemmo /
/ Roe and Jim Gallo / Tyrique Glasgow / Ali Hackett / Deborah Holmes /
/ Kat Kendon / Harry McKay / Jaime Pannone / Juanita Perkins-Qui /
/ Gaetano Piccirilli / Megan Rosenbach / Ted Scairato Sr /
/ Rich Sisman / Dan Stevenson / Paula Terreri / Lynn Oakes West / Lawrence Whitaker / Robert Wilbowe / Ilene Wilder /
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