Volunteer Spotlight: Michelle Belser

Michelle Belser has worked at CHOP for 24 years. During that time, she’s held a variety of roles in supply chain management helping procure the supplies that are needed each day to keep operations at CHOP running smoothly. Among her responsibilities in her current role as a scheduler is to ensure that departments at CHOP are equipped with the supplies that are needed for the children.

“Any item that doesn’t go through on a supply chain order could impact someone’s life,” Michelle says. “You have to get stuff done today—it can’t wait until tomorrow.”

Her conscientious attitude, attention to detail and sense of responsibility in her role at CHOP represent only a portion of what Michelle does each day to help others. She has also made time to represent CHOP at a myriad of community volunteer opportunities coordinated by CHOP’s Office of Community Impact Community Volunteering Program in the past few years, including Jannie Blackwell’s Holiday Party for the Homeless, At-Home: Supporting Neighbors, At-Home: Donation Collection, CHOP Refugee Program COVID-19 Response Initiative, West Philadelphia Food Distribution, Community Street Cleanup and more.

In addition, Michelle is a leader in her Philadelphia neighborhood, having served as Block Captain of the street she lives on for more than 15 years. She works tirelessly to keep her block clean and beautiful, leading her neighborhood to a second-place finish in the City of Philadelphia Clean Block Competition in 2021. In her role as Block Captain and community leader, she also works regularly to ensure her neighbors are registered to vote and participate in elections, and she sees to it that her neighborhood’s streets are made safer via paving and traffic calming measures.

Michelle’s efforts have not gone unnoticed: On February 24, 2023, she was honored by the Council of the City of Philadelphia as a “Hero of the 9th Council District” in an official resolution. She was nominated for this award by Council President Anthony Phillips, a City Councilmember for the 9th District, which is where Michelle’s block is located. Mr. Phillips had observed Michelle’s dedication to the betterment of her neighborhood and as a leader in the community.

The official resolution from the City of Philadelphia declares Michelle a “dedicated Philadelphian who, through service and excellence, contributes in a meaningful way to the well-being of her community and is integral to the functioning and success of the City.”

Michelle enthusiastically rounds up her neighbors for regular block cleanups and neighborhood meetings. She dedicates a significant amount of her time outside of work each week to her duties as a Block Captain and community leader. One of her favorite aspects of the volunteer work she does is having the opportunity to connect with young people and to encourage them to be the best they can be.

“When you work with young people, they start to talk to you,” she says. “I don’t tell them what to do—I work side by side with them. They appreciate having someone listen to their concerns and they value having an adult example they can look up to. These youth really need us.”

Michelle hopes that hearing her story encourages others to recognize that volunteer opportunities can open the door to knowing they’re making a difference, as well as to meeting wonderful people they might not otherwise cross paths with.

“If you’re at your desk every day, all day, then you don’t know who else is out there,” she emphasizes. “If everybody would use their gifts to do a little bit of something wherever they are, I feel as though this world would be a better place.”

Thank you, Michelle, for all you do for our community!