Employee Volunteer Highlight: Teresa Jones Brings Joy to the Community with Line Dancing
As part of our ongoing Uplifting Communities, we are shining a light on Teresa Jones, IRS Team Lead at Makpar, who likes to bring the joy of line dancing to those less fortunate. Community giving is an important part of Makpar’s value system, so today we honor Teresa’s work with this Volunteer Spotlight.
Where do you volunteer?
In Memphis, TN, we have something truly special, which is a group called Line Dancing with Craig. I’m incredibly proud to be part of a community – and more importantly, this group – that is dedicated to serving those in need with compassion and love.
Founded by Craig Wright, a talented choreographer, Line Dancing with Craig is the only line dance group in Memphis that is completely free with no dues, fees, or costs to join. Craig’s mission is simple, which is to bring people together through dance while giving back to the community.
We perform at various events to raise awareness of important social issues and to bring joy to those around us. Some of the causes we support include:
Health fairs at local churches and community centers
Domestic violence awareness
Breast cancer awareness
Elder abuse prevention
Bone marrow transplant fundraising
AIDS and HIV awareness
Most recently, we adopted four "angels" for Christmas, fulfilling their entire wish lists. These children are part of Girls and Pearls, an organization that serves young girls from underprivileged communities. This cause is especially close to Craig’s heart, as he grew up in public housing himself. Girls and Pearls introduces these young girls to the arts – ballet, acting, theater, art, cheerleading, and gymnastics – showing them that they can achieve anything.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside such incredible people, using dance to uplift and inspire our community.
What do you enjoy most about it?
What I enjoy most is the energy and engagement from the crowd. Seeing people light up as they join in, whether we're raising awareness for HIV, elder abuse, or another important cause is exciting. It’s especially rewarding to see older adults getting active, having fun, and truly enjoying the moment. The excitement and joy on their faces is absolutely priceless.
What does community service mean to you?
For me, it’s all about giving back and helping those in need – not just friends or people I know but reaching out to others in the community. It’s about raising awareness of different social issues and making a meaningful impact. Serving others is the highest form of giving back, and I’m truly honored to be a part of it. It’s also incredibly rewarding to extend our efforts beyond Memphis, to places like Nashville and beyond. At the end of the day, it’s all about giving back.
Do you have any advice to people who would like to get involved in their communities but aren't sure where to start?
My advice would be to start with something you’re passionate about. I began by attending local events, and seeing the joy of the organizers really inspired me to start giving back. When you’re involved in something that aligns with your interests, it becomes so much more meaningful. For example, I once attended a health fair at my church where Craig was teaching line dancing. I was so inspired by what they were doing, I wanted to be part of it!
I would say find events that resonate with you and get involved. You never know how it might spark a desire to give back.
Wow, that's inspiring! Thanks for contributing to bettering our community at large. Community service is a core pillar of Makpar's belief system and we're so proud to have you as a part of our family.