Meet Ben!

Storm Corps Team Leaders: Getting to Know You Questionnaire

The Basics
1. Name: Benjamin Charles Chin
2. Nickname(s): Ben
3. Hometown: New York City, NY
4. Where you live now: Los Angeles, CA
5. Favorite thing about where you live now: The beach and sun, of course!
6. College(s) attended and degree(s) received: BS in Business Management, SUNY Geneseo

Work
7. United Way where you work: United Way of Greater Los Angeles
8. Job title: Development Officer
9. Work accomplishment you are most proud of: Changing the way people think about United Way
10. What first brought you to United Way: United Way of America Community Fellowship and Volunteering at Big Brothers/Big Sisters
11. Why you stay with United Way: Staying close to the community

Storm Corps
12. Why you applied to be a Team Leader: I wanted to make a difference outside of my own community and I'm lucky enough to do this with the Gulf coast region.
13. First reaction when you found out you were accepted: "I get to help the disaster area in the Gulfcoast by leading other young people, fantastic!"
14. What you are most excited about: Meeting the 100 eager participants
15. What you are least excited about: Being away from my girlfriend, Renee, for a week
16. What you could step up and do really well if needed: Organize and coordinate the daily jobs and activities, get all participants pumped up to help those in need in the Gulf Coast.
17. What you would rather not have to do: Making sure everyone is in bed.
18. What you are hoping to get out of Storm Corps:Build leadership skills, make a difference and have fun!

Fun
19. Secret – or not so secret - talent(s) you are willing to share: Teach salsa dancing
20. Hobbies: Travel, Working-out, dancing, movies, reading, eatting, people watching
21. People and/or animals you live with: Girlfriend, Renee Linares and little Chato, our bishon frise
22. Things you want/plan to do in the near future: Get engaged, get back into dance, eat a lot
23. Things you want/plan to do in a while: Brian Gallagher's job!
24. Three adjectives that best describe you: Fun-loving, sarcastic, open-minded!
25. Three adjectives that definitely would not describe you: Boring, intolerant, full (I'm hungry!)
26. Personal motto or mantra: Live life to it's fullest!
27. What you are most proud of:Being a good friend and the desire to make more friends!

Favorites
28. Food: Real chinese food, curry, ribs and fried chicken
29. Book: An Orphan for Nebraska
30. TV show: Globetrekker
31. Movie: Before Sunrise
32. Quote: Smile, a smile will make you young forever. -Fortune Cookie

Anything else you want to share? This can be fun, personal, medical, work related, etc. Basically anything else you want us to know about you. I feel like I just wrote a personal ad.

Comments

[Scott Shirai]

Hey Ben,

What a small world! That's so cool that you'll be assisting in the efforts in Biloxi. Please be sure to connect with Mike Pritchard from our office here. We all miss you and the salsa!

[Jenn]

Great pictures!!!! Don't eat us out of house and home there, ok?

[Samantha]

Stephen is jealous that I get to spend a week in your company. When I told him you were also selected as a team leader, he said, "Ben is so fun, what a great guy!" You have a fan club in Washington if you and your girlfriend are ever up this way. Looking forward to seeing you again Ben.

[Sandra Mann]

Hi Ben,
I am very proud of you for taking this on.
I can't say I am surprised, how are you doing and when did you move to LA?
You sound happy and that is important.
I wish you the Best of Evrything,

Sandra Mann

[Ben Lewis]

Good luck as you continue your U.S. wide journey on behalf of United Way!

[Rob Honish]

Hi Ben, now when I see TV reports with people affected by the Gulf Coast disaster with smiles on their faces and even salsa dancing, I'll know, "Hey they must have met Ben." People need you so keep on helping. You're a rolling stone that gathers no moss.

[Robert (Bobb) Feldman]

Hey Ben!
You're presence here in L.A. is missed. But we're proud of you for standing up and representing and making a difference - no matter where you are. It's a pleasure to know and work with you and just wanted to let you know that. Take care man, you're a winner! ;-)

[Brie Griset]

Hi Ben,

I am so proud of you! Thank you for always going above and beyond to help others. We miss you at United Way, Inc!

According to RALPH WALDO EMERSON, SUCCESS IS.............

"To laugh often and much,

to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children,

to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of
false friends,

to appreciate beauty,

to find the best in others,

to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch,
or a redeemed social condition;

to know that even one life has breathed easier because you lived.

This is to have SUCCEEDED!"

To you and your continued success! Wishing you safe, successful travels and always the BEST!

[Sarah Hill]

Hey Ben! Remember me? I slept right across from you with my friends Ashley and Andrea. I just want you to know that I miss your smiling face and encouragement. Thank you so much for the amazing talks and befriending us down in Biloxi. We still talk about you and we hope all is going well with you! You have such a servant's heart and I encourage you to keep it up. You are truly a blessing. Thank you for being so dedicated to volunteer to help others. You definitely have an impact! If you ever want to write back you can hit up my email I would sure love hearing from you and I know the other girls would too! Miss ya and I pray that things are going well in your life. Oh, and we want to know if there are any excited developments for you... if you know what I mean... :) Talk to you soon!!

[Mark Stevens]

Hey Ben,
It's been awhile since you participated in the Storm Corps program, but you did a lot of good. I'm proud of you, man! Thanks for coming to my wedding too.

[Carolyn Hilton Miney]

Ben,
Don't know if you'l remember me from your Denver days, but we met when you came to Girl Scouts to talk about giving. I came across the blog while googleing you after an email I sent you bounced back. Guess I should have emailed you sooner ;-). Glad to see you're still doing wonderful work with United Way in LA. Drop me a line sometime if you have a chance. Best, Carolyn (chilton18@aol.com)