Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Quantum House - Serving Families of Children Receiving Medical Care


JB Thompson is studying business and political science at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Also an experienced community volunteer, JB Thompson served at Quantum House during his high school years in Florida.

Located in West Palm Beach, Quantum House hosts families of children undergoing medical treatment in the area. Founded in 2001, the house hosts more than 1,000 families per year. As the only hospitality house between Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, Quantum House serves as a vital resource for families separated from their children due to illness. 

To meet the needs of visiting families, Quantum House relies on the assistance of volunteers. Those who wish to contribute as volunteers can do so individually or as part of a group. Volunteers can choose to prepare meals, assist with chores, organize the playroom, or help staff with preparation for special events. Those with special skills can fulfill tasks such as helping with gardening or leading yoga classes for families staying at Quantum House.

To learn more about Quantum House, visit www.quantumhouse.org.

Friday, January 6, 2017

Sigma Phi Epsilon's Balanced Man Program


A student at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, JB Thompson of Jupiter, Florida, is majoring in business and political science. Outside of his studies, JB Thompson belongs to Sigma Phi Epsilon. 

With a motto of “Building Balanced Men,” Sigma Phi Epsilon strives to instill in young men the principles of diligence, virtue, and brotherly love. The fraternity accomplishes this through a number of initiatives, including the Balanced Man Program (BMP). 

Sigma Phi Epsilon understands that college students spend 90 percent of their time outside the classroom. Through the BMP, the fraternity helps young men take advantage of this time to discover their interests and grow alongside their brothers. 

The BMP is a four-year experience that focuses on five development areas: knowledge of the fraternity (SigEp), intellectual growth, physical health and wellness, leadership, and professional preparation. Throughout the program, young men receive mentoring and support from a variety of program stakeholders, from alumni and faculty to administrators and volunteers.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Volunteering with the Quantum House Chef for a Day Program


JB Thompson III studies political science and business at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, where he is a member of the varsity golf team. Dedicated to giving back, JB Thompson has been involved in raising money for several charities through his membership in Sigma Phi Epsilon. He has also supported Quantum House, a social services organization located in Florida.

The mission of Quantum House is to provide a supportive home for families of children being treated for serious medical conditions. One way to support Quantum House is by volunteering with the "Chef for a Day" program. 

In this unique program, a group of "chefs" (family members, coworkers, friends) work together to plan, purchase, and cook a dinner for the residents of Quantum House. The meals are prepared in the well-equipped kitchen of Quantum House, and participants have the opportunity to cook alongside celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.

Groups interested in participating in Chef for a Day must submit an application online. Chosen groups are asked to confirm the menu with the manager of family programs and operations. 

Most of the time, Quantum House has between 60 and 70 guests who must be fed, but the actual numbers are sent to participating groups at least one week in advance. Cooks can also join residents for dinner but must include their numbers in the preparation.

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Ruck Leadership Institute


JB Thompson III studies political science and business at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. The former Florida resident is working toward an internship at a Wall Street firm. Demonstrating an ability to lead, JB Thompson III is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and served as the fraternity’s kitchen manager and recruit chair.

Since 1901, Sigma Phi Epsilon, or SigEp, has been instilling in its members the principles of diligence, brotherly love, and virtue. The fraternity accomplishes this through numerous programs, such as the five-day Frank J. Ruck Leadership Institute event. The annual Ruck Leadership Institute, designed for rising leaders in SigEp’s ranks, focuses on building personal leadership skills and promoting the fraternity’s "Balanced Man Ideal" of "living a life encompassing sound mind and sound body."

Conceived in 1998, the Ruck Leadership Institute formed its curriculum based on the book, The Leadership Challenge, by James Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. Since the institute's inception, it has pushed participants to explore their potential by stretching them mentally and physically. 

Ruck participants learn about their leadership styles and how those styles work in varying situations. All Ruck scholars, guided by SigEp alumni as mentors, compete in a myriad of challenges while learning about leadership.