In 2000, David and Margo Knight made the life-changing decision to move from Washington, DC to Brunswick. The time and circumstances seemed right. The CEO’s of the two organizations for whom they worked had resigned, an event which foretold future uncertainty, at the very least. Moreover, they craved more balance in their lives, and Maine proved to be the natural choice for their next home. David’s grandfathers and father had graduated from Bowdoin. They had some dear friends and relatives who lived in Maine. And Margo had always wanted to live near the ocean.

After moving to Brunswick, David worked as a fundraising consultant for clients around the country, and Margo worked in the advancement office at Bates. Given their energy, leadership savvy and vast experience in working with volunteers throughout their careers, it’s no surprise that David and Margo soon assumed volunteer leadership roles in the Brunswick community.

In 2004, the couple, who have no children of their own, decided to take on a Bowdoin student as part of the college’s Host Family program. In this program, students don’t live with their host families, but the families provide support and friendship as desired, everything from taking students out to dinner (or gelato) to giving rides to the airport to providing summer storage space. In 2010, they agreed to serve as co-chairs of the program, a valiant undertaking. In this capacity, they serve as liaisons to the College, help recruit volunteer host families; pair students with families; and guide the program’s leadership committee. The Host Family program currently provides families to about 300 students a year, thereby enriching the lives of both students and volunteers and strengthening the fabric of town-gown relationships.

Leading such a program would be more than enough responsibility for most people, thank you. But David and Margo are not “most people.” Margo won a seat on the town council in 2008 and served for two terms (six years). She served as the chairwoman of the Downtown Master Plan Committee. “I loved working on important issues alongside wonderful people,” says Margo, adding that, “The aisles of Hannaford served as my office.”

David has served on the board of the Brunswick Downtown Association (BDA) for 10 years. “It’s important to be part of what’s going on in your own home town,” he says, “and the BDA has really grown. When I started we had about 55 members; now we have over 300!”

They’ve played active leadership roles for the First Parish Church. Margo is currently chairwoman of the church council and David has served on several committees including the deferred giving committee. Margo currently serves on the cookbook committee, which is creating a cookbook in celebration of the Church’s 300th anniversary.

David serves on the development committee of People Plus, an organization which has, he says, “really blossomed.” And, wait there’s more, he serves on the Nathaniel Davis Committee, which gives small grants to organizations which have “contributed to the pleasure of the citizens of Brunswick,” with a focus on education and the arts.

“Volunteering is not just about writing checks,” notes Margo. “It’s about putting direct effort into causes in which you find meaning.”

“We’re not special,” says David. “We’ve had the opportunity to meet hundreds of wonderful people who give so much to the community in so many ways. Success begets success.”

Not special? Well, David and Margo, many Brunswick citizens might argue the point. Thanks so much for all you do.

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David Treadwell, a Brunswick writer, welcomes commentary or suggestions for future “Just a Little Old” columns at dtreadw575@aol.com.