Danielle Shearer never expected her career, let alone for it to become a gateway to deep community involvement. Today, serving others is something she eagerly embraces—and actively encourages those around her to take part in.
Originally from Maryland, Shearer moved to Pittsburgh to study performing arts at La Roche University. She said the city quickly felt like home because of its people. “When I first moved here, I felt welcome by the people,” she said. “Everyone I ran into was really friendly and helpful, and it really made me feel like, wow, that’s what I want to be like.”
That sense of welcome led Shearer to community service, particularly with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh. Her involvement began in 2018 during customer service week at her insurance agency. What started as a single meal-prep event grew into years of hands-on volunteering, including holiday card drives, pamper days for families, toy donations and event support.
Shearer said one of the biggest misconceptions about helping others is the belief that it requires money. “People think you have to have all of this money,” she said. “But it could just be a simple note to somebody.”
Some of the most meaningful moments, she said, come from small interactions. She recalled a young girl at the Ronald McDonald House who overheard her mention that she loved frosting.
“She went in the back and made this cookie and brought it over to me and said, ‘I made this for you,’” Shearer said. “I just started crying because I’m thinking, I’m actually here for you.”
Shearer also makes a point to involve her coworkers and family in service, adapting opportunities so everyone can participate.
“Everybody has something,” she said. “Time, talent — you don’t have to bring anything but yourself.”
Her children have found their own way to give back through lemonade stands. Shearer said she often encourages them by offering to match whatever they raise in donations.
“I’ll tell them, ‘I’ll match what you get, and then we’ll go get ice cream or something like that,’” she said.
“They’ll ask you on the coldest day in the spring, ‘Is it time for the lemonade stand yet?’ And I’m like, ‘Guys, you’re not going to sell any lemonade — it’s freezing outside,’” Shearer said with a laugh. “But you put a couple kids out there with a little stand, and people do tend to stop.”
Faith plays a central role in Shearer's motivation. “I find strength in God, and I find strength in knowing that every time I help somebody else, I’m showing an example for my children because I want them to live exactly the same way,” She said.
Shearer said she has realized that purpose is often closer than people expect.
“At the end of the day, everybody’s looking for this greater purpose,” she said. “It’s right in front of you. It’s the people around you.”
Though she admits the pace of life can be exhausting it is also exhilarating.
“I wake up every day and think, ‘There is an opportunity today to help in some capacity, and I’m going to find it,’” Shearer
Her advice for others who want to get started is simple. Quoting the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Shearer said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”
