Life can change any time.

When Ben Pohl was in a life altering accident his senior year of high school, his life changed forever. What he didn’t know at the time was how it would help him change the lives of others as well.

A car accident left Ben in a coma for a month, after which he had to re-learn how to talk, walk, and function in the world. With the help of family, friends, and doctors, Ben made a miraculous recovery. He never forgot his days in rehab, however, or the looks people gave him when he was in his wheelchair. Rather than harbor ill feelings, Ben viewed this as a call to action.

Ben went on to receive his Masters in public administration from Northern Illinois University. From there, his life continued to take unexpected turns. Ben worked in Iraq and later joined the peace corps as a special education volunteer in Jordan. Since then, he’s volunteered for Giving DuPage, O’Hare, Clearbrook, and the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) among others.

While some may not be able to volunteer as often as Ben, he says volunteering is critical and that any time you can give to help a fellow person is enough.