Shelby Volunteer Passes Father's Pride For Community To Children

When I asked people on Facebook to nominate a person in the community who is an ordinary person doing extraordinary things through their volunteer work in the community, I received an overwhelming response: Sara Lentz.

So who is Sara Lentz? Just to give you an idea, she’s a courageous, determined Shelby Township resident who describes herself as above all else a dedicated mother, wife, part-time paralegal for a Detroit litigation firm, Parent Teacher Association President at, church volunteer, UCS advocate, little league coach and former Downtown Development Chair—just to name a few. 

It sounds overwhelming to juggle all that, but Lentz said she’s doing all this to inspire her children to put forth the same amount of effort in their community when they’re adults.

“I want to show my kids, that by volunteering, you educate yourself in the process,” she said.

And Lentz is taking lessons from her father Terry French. Lentz’ was born and raised in Marysville, MI, where her father was extremely involved in the community as a Rotary member, church volunteer, community organizer and little league coach.

Lentz said she didn’t understand the impact her father had on the community until his death.

“There was a line wrapped around the funeral home because that’s how many people’s lives he touched,” she said.

A scholarship rewarding students who do an exceptional amount of volunteer work was created in her father’s name after his death in 1992.

Lentz said she’s hoping to pass those lessons on to her children. In Lentz’s household, it’s the school of hard knocks. Every year, her children are told to set aside a percentage of their yearly allowance and donate it to other children.

This year, the Lentz children spent it shopping on holiday gifts for a family that was adopted through their church, .

Lentz said her children, an 8-year-old boy and 11-year-old girl, often groan about having to part with their allowance, but at the end of the day, they appreciate their good deeds.

“My children are immature and they don’t always like it, but they do like the rewards. My hope is when the reach a level of maturity they will realize how important it is,” she said.

Lentz Lends her Skills to the Community

Lentz said the key to volunteering is finding what you’re good it, a cause you're passionate about and just throwing yourself out there.

Lentz’s organizational skills have helped her chair many boards and organize countless events. However, everyone has a unique talent that can make him or her of use to a group that is need.

“Pick your cause. Do one small thing such as make a flier for the group if you’re good at marketing. Just think if everybody did something small,” she said.