5 ELVES OF INTEREST
STORY AND PHOTOS BY GREG GARDNER
Jeanette Mueller’s volunteer spirit has no limits. She is
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highly contagious as she infects others with the drive
to help those less fortunate.
A petite woman with a radiant smile, Mueller is
passionate about her public service as she juggles
her daily routine to support the organizations dear
to her heart.
The Big Heart Brigade of the Treasure Coast, Take Stock in
Children, the Arts Council of Martin County, and Soroptimist
International of Stuart all benefit from Mueller’s seemingly
endless enthusiasm. But she sees the big picture, always looking
to the future and how the next group of volunteers will
be in place to continue carrying the torch.
“When I see the younger generation get involved at the
next level, volunteering for these charities, I get jazzed about
that,” Mueller says. “You have to provide a system that will
give the organization a plan for succession. Who’s up next?
Who’s on first? Who’s coming behind me?”
For the past 10 years Mueller has served on the Big Heart
Brigade board of directors, including four years as chairman.
Currently, she is fund development chairman. “Last year we
served 30,000 meals and we will serve 30,000 again this year,”
Mueller says. “We come to the rescue of those in need, particularly
at Thanksgiving. We also provide scholarships and
help people pay medical bills.”
Local firefighters and emergency personnel are the backbone
of the Big Heart Brigade. Last year, volunteers cooked
100 turkeys at a time in a huge cooker known as “Mondo.”
Steve Wolfberg, vice president of the Big Heart Brigade
and former director of emergency services for Martin County,
marvels at Mueller’s ability to rally the troops. “She’s a
dynamo with energy, ideas and follow-through and she looks
way beyond what is immediate,” Wolfberg says. “That translates
into providing more Thanksgiving dinners, fundraising
and special events. She’s a joy to be around, always positive.
There’s an awful lot you can learn from her. Sit back, watch
and hold on for the ride. Rarely do you find an individual
like Jeanette who has that passion, drive and commitment.
Martin Fire Lt. Scott Schlawiedt sits on the Big Heart board
and serves on the cooking staff. “She (Mueller) is always trying
to get people involved through volunteering to better our
community,” says Schlawiedt. “She is one of the vertebrae.
She keeps this organization going.”
Mueller has been active in the Arts Council for the past
18 years. Currently she is chairman of its board of directors.
“She’s chaired just about every committee we have,” says
Nancy Turrell, Arts Council executive director. “She has enthusiasm,
energy, dedication, and a passion that the arts matter
in our community. She is one of those people who gives
150 percent. She has taken the lead to bring in much-needed
funds. It doesn’t get any better than Jeanette.”
Joe Catrambone, president and chief executive officer for
the Stuart-Martin County Chamber of Commerce, has seen
firsthand Mueller’s ability to turn around a charity in trouble.
“Our Martin County Youth Leadership program was floundering,”
he says. “Jeanette took over as chairman and she had
it running like an organization should. She knows how to
run a meeting. She’s very organized. She can multitask better
than anyone I have ever known. Her presence demands attention.
I have never seen her use a gavel. She has always had
excessive energy,” says Catrambone.
But last May the community nearly lost Mueller’s energy
when she went into cardiac arrest at her Palm City home.
Her husband happened to be there and was able to revive
her until paramedics arrived and shocked her back to life
again. “My husband interestingly enough had played in a
golf tournament to raise money for the cold blanket therapy
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