The holiday season is known as a time of giving, but for SAM Phase Manager Dustin Gardner, the spirit of charity lives in his heart year-round.
Dustin volunteers weekly when he’s not working in SAM’s Salt Lake City office. He’s assisted with initiatives ranging from shark and ray conservation to mental health advocacy, but his mission remains the same: helping those in need.
“I think if we have the capacity to help, we should,” Dustin said. “Everyone wants to have world-changing ideas and actions, but few consider the idea that the world starts in their own backyard.”
Some of Dustin’s volunteer work has included teaching children about survey-related skills with SAM. He’s a member of Get Kids Into Survey, and just this past summer, he helped teach foster children about topographic mapping using layers of cake.
“I’ve been trying to get kids into the profession knowing that they will thrive and find some of the best friends on the planet,” Dustin said. “I truly love our surveying community and always greatly enjoy spending time with the people I’ve met.”
Throughout years of volunteering within and outside SAM, Dustin developed a special connection with children in foster care. One moment, in particular, sparked a significant project for him. At a Christmas charity event, a young boy received presents labeled with his name. For the child, seeing his name thoughtfully written on the gifts meant more than the toys themselves — it was a sign that someone truly cared about him.
“He ripped off his name tag, held it up, and said that he would keep this forever,” Dustin recalled.
Dustin and his wife founded Caritas Community this past November with that little boy in mind. The nonprofit serves foster children in southern Utah, and Dustin’s first goals include providing proper suitcases, better go-kits, and comforting cuddle bags to impacted children.
Caritas Community will also support at-risk children, such as those undergoing cancer treatment or living with cerebral palsy.
“Children should worry about being children,” Dustin said. “Not where their meals come from, not if their family will have a home because of medical bills, and definitely not their ability to enjoy childhood because of limiting disabilities. Every child is welcome, and every child should be loved.”
Dustin encourages everyone to volunteer in their community, especially since Community is a SAM Core Value. In 2024 alone, SAM team members dedicated over 1,575 hours to volunteer work. According to Dustin, time is one of the most valuable contributions you can offer to organizations in need.
“No matter what your interest is, there’s a place that needs you,” Dustin said. “I started volunteering just by asking my former boss if we could do a toy drive for a nonprofit down the road. After my first event with them, I knew that this was my cause, and I’ll be doing this for the rest of my life.”