Volunteer Of The Month: Amanda Shields Helps Katherine’s Light Shine On

Amanda Shields met one of her best friends, Katherine Mueller, when they both attended Severna Park High School in the early 2000s. By senior year, they’d grown close, and they lived in adjacent buildings and hung out all the time while studying at Towson University.

When they got snowed in at college, they passed the time together. Along with Mueller’s then-boyfriend, Matt, who would become her husband, the two girls would travel to the Eastern Shore every year for Punkin Chunkin, a bygone Delmarva tradition of firing pumpkins through cannons and catapults.

Mueller was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in 2018. She fought cancer valiantly, fundraising for the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation even as she underwent chemotherapy, radiation, a liver transplant and other treatments. At the age of 31, Mueller passed from the rare form of cancer in December 2021, two days after Christmas.

In 2023, her mother and stepfather, Robin and Larry Sells, co-founded a nonprofit in her memory: Katherine’s Light Foundation (KLF). The foundation honors Mueller’s legacy by generating funds for cancer research and for organizations that deal with education, awareness, treatments, and support that will lead to potential cures and assistance for individuals facing cancer diagnoses.

Shields joined the Sells’ efforts immediately and continues to serve on KLF’s all-volunteer board of directors today.

Noting that Mueller was a great person and gone much too soon, Shields shared that her close friendship with Mueller compelled her to join the cause of KLF.

“She was so involved with fundraising, and I just thought that was amazing, so I kind of wanted to follow in her footsteps,” Shields said of her friend. “I just want to make a difference. I love contributing to something bigger than myself. I do have a lot of empathy and compassion, and seeing others in need – I want to be able to support them and help as many people as I can.”

In her volunteerism with KLF, Shields manages the nonprofit’s social media posts – including promoting an annual music festival – and helps with event planning and promotion.

With the Katherine Mueller All-Day Music Festival coming up in June, Shields has been busy gathering and assembling raffle items and baskets, preparing for the silent and live auctions, designing T-shirts for the KLF event volunteers, and more.

“Amanda does a fantastic job of handling all of our social media and creative needs for our foundation, as well as wearing many hats helping with our fundraisers,” Larry said.

Shields also recently created an in-depth 2024 impact report for KLF, detailing the nonprofit’s gifts of over $100,000 to the Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation, Baltimore Washington Medical Center Foundation, Wellness House of Annapolis, Anne Arundel Community College Foundation, Luminis Health – Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, Mercy Medical Center, and SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods).

Shields grew up in Severna Park and remains a resident today. She worked in human resources for 10 years and is mom to a 2-year-old dog, Nala. She enjoys traveling and spending time with her family members who live across Maryland and Delaware. And, Shields gives generously of her time and talents to support KLF, in as many ways as she can.

“As one of Katherine’s closest friends, Amanda is committed to honoring Katherine’s memory and is invaluable to our foundation with her skills, grace and youthful energy,” Robin shared.

Do you know of someone who resides in Severna Park, Arnold or Millersville who gives generously of their time and talents in a volunteer capacity in our community? You can nominate someone to be considered as a Volunteer of the Month by emailing their name and a brief description of their volunteerism to spvnews@severnaparkvoice.com.