Time Off: Precious Moments

Community Draws Pair of Aces
Volunteerism has always been a part of Darren Mowry's life. A strategic consultant for Plural, a digital consultancy in Washington, DC, Mowry, 28, has helped out at soup kitchens and was the director of the community service center while a student at the University of Alabama.
His wife, Karen, 26, a business analyst with American Management Systems in Fairfax, VA, has made volunteering a strong part of her life, too. She has worked with the elderly and participated in charity runs.
The pair, who met in Washington, DC, through a mutual friend, married a year ago and started doing volunteer work together shortly after they met. "We joke that it's one thing to be married and another to work together," says Karen.
Recently, the two heard that the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team needed volunteers and signed up to help. The DAT team members help in all sorts of emergencies, including hurricanes, terrorist attacks, and apartment fires. The Mowrys are trained to plan and open shelters, distribute food, support emergency personnel, and advise victims on resources for assistance.
"We both want to continue to be heavily involved in the community. With this, we're much more closely linked to the people we're helping. It's very rewarding," Darren says.
Volunteers spend as much time as they want. Since Darren travels Monday through Thursday and Karen does a considerable amount of traveling herself, they commit one night a month to the team. This means that they are available to respond to any emergencies that might arise.
"It really help