We’re excited to introduce you to our September Volunteer of the Month, Gil Andre Fontimayor! Gil started volunteering with us in 2020 and has designed 826NYC publications including Much More Than a Thought, Wake Up: Dreams, Memories, and Reality, Wild Dog on the Streets, and the upcoming 826NYC Review #15!

826NYC: How did you first get involved with 826NYC and why did you decide to volunteer?

Gil: In 2020, a work colleague encouraged me to volunteer my time to one of our company’s philanthropic partners—826 National being one of them. Designing the tangible object that houses the creative writing of these immensely imaginative and competent students is what compelled me to lend my talents of typography, image making and book making to 826NYC.

826NYC: What’s your favorite part of 826NYC?

Gil: Reading the works by these amazing and heroic writers for the first time as I’m dreaming up design and illustration ideas for a book cover.

826NYC: What do you do when you’re not at 826NYC?

Gil:  As a remote volunteer, I am not physically at 826NYC HQ with the students. However, when not designing 826NYC books, I like to travel, fill up pages of my sketchbooks, and discover rare books inside bookstores and in reading rooms of libraries.

826NYC: What advice would you give a new volunteer?

Gil: Enjoy the collaborative process as you work with everyone at 826NYC! Everyone is as supportive as they are convivial.

826NYC: What are your superpowers?

Gil: Teleporting through multiverses.

Want to support our students this school year? Sign up for a volunteer orientation today!