Nancy V. was born in East St. Louis but moved to Fairview Heights when she was seven years old. As an only child, Nancy had a very close relationship with her parents and fondly remembers long walks in the woods with her dad long before Fairview Heights became the retail center that it is today. She recalls digging up an evergreen tree on one of their hikes and helping to plant it in her yard. It now towers over the house.

These childhood experiences gave Nancy a great appreciation for the outdoors and nature, and today she is an avid flower and vegetable gardener. In addition, Nancy loves animals and owns a Blue Merle Australian cattle dog named Casey, which has competed in several agility dog shows.

When Nancy was 28 years old, she was diagnosed with Histoplasmosis, a fungal lung infection that damaged the retina in both of her eyes. Her vision became progressively worse, and in 1994, she received a corneal transplant, which helped restore some of her sight in one eye. She became a Minds Eye listener 18 years ago when she discovered the station through a friend who worked for the Department of Rehabilitative Services.

Even though Nancy is in the early stages of Macular Degeneration, she leads a full and active life as a respiratory therapist at a local nursing home and has been a hospice volunteer for the past seven years.

The programming available through Minds Eye Information Service has helped Nancy stay knowledgeable about local events and national news. “For the last 18 years, Minds Eye has helped me live each day to the fullest,” she said. “I appreciate the volunteers and staff who make this ministry possible.”

Within the past few months, Minds Eye has welcomed many new volunteers. Our newest volunteers are a varied group. They are business owners, parents, teachers, retired professionals, working professionals, and yes, even actors. Don McDaniel is a member of this exciting addition to the Minds Eye family.

Don McDaniel found Minds Eye in an advertisement in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He was searching for a volunteer experience that fit his background, and Minds Eye was a perfect match. “I like to be part of very diverse groups and meet people from different walks of life. So far, Minds Eye seems to fit that bill very nicely. Everyone I’ve met so far has been incredibly nice to me,” Don said. Listeners can tune into Don reading the St. Louis Business Journal every other week. He hopes to read even more in the future.

One of Don’s passions outside of Minds Eye is acting and theatre. “I am very active in the community theatre group, Affton Centerstage. I’m currently in the cast of my 19th show with ACT…the show is called Sleeping Beauty and the Beast. I’m playing the Beast.” Don also sits on the Board of Directors for ACT, but, as he puts it, prefers to be “on the boards.” Don’s creative style has been a welcome addition to Minds Eye programming.

Off the stage and away from Minds Eye, Don is employed by his wife, Mary, in the position “Mr. Mom” for their two children, son Carrson and daughter Ruthie. Prior to being blessed with a family, Don worked in the electric utility industry for ten years. He holds an undergraduate degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas and an MBA from Webster University, Missouri. Don recently discovered that he is related to a silent film star, Edwin August, and has nominated him for the St. Louis Walk of Fame in the University City Loop.

When asked to reflect upon his volunteer experience at Minds Eye thus far, Don said, “I pray that God continues to bless everyone associated with Minds Eye. I’m honored to be a part of this wonderful organization.” Minds Eye is honored to have Don on board and is thankful for his unique contributions to our organization.

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