A volunteering adventure

Sisters offer a helping hand at nonprofits in each of the 50 states

People find all kinds of creative and challenging ways to crisscross the country: horse riding, cycling, walking.

The Fulmer sisters are volunteering their way through the 50 states, at a different nonprofit each week.

New Mexico, where they volunteered at the Downtown Albuquerque OFFCenter Community Arts Project, is their 30th state since starting in Tennessee in July.

They conceived the idea for Project Wave a couple of years ago. Lindsey Fulmer, 25, was interning as a youth minister in Oklahoma, Lee Ellen Fulmer, 23, was working on a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of South Carolina Aiken when they discovered they both wanted to take a year off to pursue some meaningful adventure.

“I’ve always wanted to travel. I’ve always wanted to take time off, and give back and volunteer,” said Lindsey Fulmer.

That set the ball rolling. They spent 18 months planning a route, saving money, researching nonprofits and reaching out to potential hosts families.

They budgeted $300 per week, but have frequently spent less as friends and host families have donated to help cover expenses.

They started in Cleveland, Tenn., volunteering for a youth

organization. Their journey took them to Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, the upper Midwest, the midAtlantic states and the Northeast, and back to the family home in Wagener, S.C., for Christmas.

They began the New Year in Florida, hitting Louisiana and Texas before arriving in New Mexico. They’ve worked in community gardens, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and for a woman who gives complimentary makeovers for women with cancer.

“It’s just like all over the place,” Lee Ellen Fulmer said.

They were excited to contact OFFCenter because they hadn’t worked at any arts nonprofits. The sisters have helped sort donated art supplies and assisted with group activities.

OFFCenter, at 808 Park Avenue SW, is a grant- and donation-funded art center open to all community members.

“This place would not exist without our volunteers,” said Executive Director Bob Allen.

You can follow the Fulmer sisters’ Project Wave adventure on Facebook at 2sisters1vision.

MARLA BROSE/JOURNAL Lindsey Fulmer, 25, left, and her sister Lee Ellen Fulmer, 23, sort through boxes of art supplies at the OFFCenter Community Arts Project. The sisters are traveling around the country volunteering in every state. New Mexico is the 30th state they have...