Use the word “serial” as a modifier and the connotation is generally negative.
Not so with Martial Thevenot and his ongoing efforts to benefit the community. Thevenot has earned the title of a serial volunteer.
“I am not one to sit around and do nothing,” he said. “It’s about leaving a legacy at this stage and helping the younger volunteers.”
Thevenot’s family arrived in St. Joseph in the 1990s to operate what’s now known as Team Perka, a business entity that manufactures, distributes and markets steel frames and building structures.
Given the company’s location at 1111 Alabama St., much of Thevenot’s volunteer work centers on improving the business climate and visual appeal of the South Side. He is active with organizations like the South Side Business Development Board and South Side Rotary Club.
But he’s also been involved with the United Way of Greater St. Joseph and sought to improve the arts climate as president of the board for the Performing Arts Association.
“The arts in general has always been something I’ve been fond of,” said Thevenot, known as the chief vision officer at Team Perka. “It definitely wouldn’t be good to see it weakened or expired.”
As he shifts toward advising and mentoring a new generation at Team Perka, Thevenot sees his volunteer work only expanding. With a website called DoSomeGoodery.com, he’s launched a unique initiative that seeks to make acts of kindness a little less random and a little more of an engrained aspect of everyone’s behavior.
“We’re working on how to make it more sustainable on its own,” he said. “It behooves us to be givers, to do more do-goodery on a daily basis.”
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
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Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.