DeShawn Witter (pictured above, right) has been a Madison Public Library Foundation volunteer for nearly two years. He works as a Corporate Social Responsibility Associate at local tech company Zendesk, a partner of Madison Public Library Foundation and loyal sponsor of several annual events.

Witter says Zendesk encourages its employees to get involved within their communities, which helped to initially spark his interest in volunteering with Madison Public Library and Madison Public Library Foundation.

“I came across a book I loved as a child, Corduroy,” Witter recounted about his first time volunteering with Youth Services. “It brought me back to my own childhood and made me realize how wonderful this will be for future children!”

In addition to volunteering with Youth Services, Witter has been an event volunteer at the foundation’s annual fall fundraiser, Ex Libris, for several years. Last year, Witter expanded his role as an Ex Libris volunteer by joining the event planning committee. 

“Not only do libraries offer a vast amount of knowledge for the community, but also services many people don’t think about,” he said. “Libraries are an endless opportunity to learn something new.”

Outside the foundation, Witter remains involved volunteering with other Madison organizations, including Madison Children’s Museum, The River Food Pantry, Second Harvest Food Bank and Sustain Dane, among others.