Volunteer Advocates for Warriors in Wellness Programs

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Hank Molinengo. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

In 2021, Hank joined Cox Health Wellness for Warriors as a volunteer, where he currently serves as the chairperson of the Executive Committee. Wellness for Warriors is a program that addresses the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness of first responders and military men and women. It also provides resources like crisis support, counseling and wellness classes. 

Hank is involved in three suicide prevention groups and volunteers at Disney Elementary School in Springfield, Missouri, where most of his grandchildren attend. He also conducts blood drives through the American Red Cross and volunteers at his church through food banks multiple times yearly, including during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. 

What inspires you to volunteer? 

Several events inspired me to begin volunteering during my time in the Navy. In 1984, I had a drinking problem, and I did not know how to get help without it affecting my career. Thankfully, with the help of my family and friends, I eventually recovered. After this happened, I knew I wanted to get involved with mental and emotional wellness. 

On 9/11, I was a Navy Captain and the executive assistant to the judge advocate general in the Pentagon. My office was very close to the crash, and we could smell the burning jet fuel and asbestos throughout the Pentagon walls. We had lots of fears as we exited the Pentagon, but instead, we were comforted by firefighters, first responders and medical personnel. This also inspired me to get involved with Wellness for Warriors. As I became more involved with volunteering, I realized I wanted to do more. 

Tell us about your volunteer role with Wellness for Warriors by Cox Health Foundation. 

At Wellness for Warriors, I facilitate and moderate our weekly Facebook Live presentation. Every Friday, I lead a Facebook Live presentation focusing on the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellness of active and retired first responders, military personnel, veterans and their families. During this presentation, we also discuss suicide prevention, spiritual and physical wellness, and financial literacy. 

What inspired you to get started with this initiative? 

After surviving and witnessing all these crucial events, I was allowed to share what most people cannot. My dad was a bricklayer. He never had more than $900 in his account, and fortunately, he taught me great fundamentals of life. I always had people in my corner and the necessary resources to succeed. Today, I never say no to an opportunity to help, whether through leadership, mentorship or just lending a hand.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization? 

For Wellness for Warriors, I hope to continue spreading awareness for mental and emotional wellness, especially suicide prevention stimulated by armed weapons. Two of three suicides are firearm-related, and I feel it is essential to find other methods to protect ourselves from our guns. 

I aspire to have nurses visit and discuss the stress they go under as essential workers and survivors of suicide. I’m sure a perspective of what it means to be a suicide survivor and how she handles these types of situations will be monumental. 

Lastly, I hope we continue our wellness scholarships at our Cox Gyms. We have two gyms and give out scholarships to encourage people to be more intentional about their physical health. We provide trainers and the necessary tools for members to have a great experience. 

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work? 

The most rewarding experience is seeing people’s relief and happiness. It is extraordinary that I can support deployed military personnel and depressed “warriors” by providing them with the necessary resources. 

Volunteering in the public school system is quintessential. I’m grateful to help teachers and the faculty at Springfield Public Schools. I can take the load off them—I do it! 

I enjoy donating blood through the Red Cross and helping with food banks through my church. Helping someone for even just one day is an indescribable feeling of fulfillment. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

It is essential to do it for yourself and others. There is always someone to help, and by helping others, you are helping yourself. By doing so, you continue to grow as a person, and you will continuously keep life in perspective. 

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about. 

With Wellness for Warriors, I hope our weekly Friday presentations become a staple through various suicide prevention networks. 

At Disney Elementary, I am excited for the big fall festival coming up, where kids will enjoy themselves on moon bounces and eat lots of food. 

I always look forward to food banks through my church. Due to the increased cost of food, the demand for food banks has risen by 38% within the last year. We want to expand to other cities; the more we develop, the better.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about? 

One person cannot do it all. We must all work together and make a difference for things to change. We all have shared experiences, sacrifices and desires to improve our world. It is our job to build better communities regardless of political values or socio-economic status. 

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering? 

You must jump in the water and begin swimming. There is much information online about any organization of interest; you just need to start somewhere. I’ll never forget how scared I was when I walked into my first case, but I did it, and look at where I am today. We all must start somewhere; you can start as small as you want. 

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

You can make a difference; that is one more person no longer in need. We will be a stronger nation and build even more vital communities. It’s just one case at a time. I hope I inspire people to get involved and help others. 

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Hank? Find local volunteer opportunities.