I’ve always been a “glass half full” kind of person, and I owe a lot of that outlook to my dad. Every morning before school, he’d greet me with the same uplifting reminder, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” No matter how groggy or cranky I felt, he made sure I recognized the blessing of waking up to a new day. That mindset of gratitude and positivity has stayed with me ever since.
I’m sharing this because HOPE’s Volunteer of the Month, Antoine McMullen, embodies the same spirit. He’s like a ray of sunshine cutting through the clouds, full of energy, warmth, and infectious optimism. Even though we only spoke over the phone and I never saw his face, his words left me feeling inspired and ready to embrace the present moment with gratitude.
Antoine was in the car with his son, Jordon during our phone call. They were on the way to volunteer at the Hope For The Warriors Lounge at the airport in Jacksonville, NC. To understand Antoine and his passion for giving back, you need to go back in time. His path to the Marine Corps was inspired by a deep family tradition of service. Several family members, including his brother Unice McMullen, served across multiple branches of the military, instilling in Antoine a strong sense of duty and patriotism – and have remained a guiding role model through the years.
The passion Unice had for serving our country inspired Antoine to do the same, so he joined the Marines. After his time in the Marine Corps came to an end, Antoine channeled his love for service into his community and family. He landed in Ohio, and that’s where he founded Dream Chasers, a business dedicated to inspiring youth and raising awareness and support for children with brain injuries, a cause close to his heart. “One story that changed everything was when a stranger introduced me to motivational speaker Les Brown, who became my mentor. That moment sparked my passion for motivating others,” Antoine shares.
For the last 15 years, Antoine has resided in Jacksonville, NC with his wife and four children. Antoine’s greatest inspiration is his son Jordon, who at age five survived a devastating car accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and partial paralysis. Today, Jordon is 28 and an honorary Marine, proudly carrying the Marine spirit forward. “Jordon is my miracle,” Antoine says with pride. “He’s a fighter with no bad days, always ready to face whatever comes.”
As a full-time caregiver, Antoine leans on local support programs but credits his son’s positivity as his daily motivation. “When you express love, your universe responds overwhelmingly. That’s the energy I want to share with everyone,” Antoine explains.
Antoine’s heart for service extends to his volunteer work with Hope For The Warriors. Introduced through a neighbor and fueled by a desire to give back, Antoine has become a steadfast presence at the military lounge at the Jacksonville airport. He understands firsthand the anxiety and uncertainty veterans face when entering a new stage in their military journey. “I flew in from Ohio to South Carolina for boot camp,” Antoine says. “I know how nerve-wracking that can be. When Marines come through the lounge, I try to make them feel at home and let them know they’re not alone.”
His volunteer work goes beyond just keeping the lounge organized and welcoming. Antoine offers comfort, empathy, and connection to each veteran he meets. “You’re representing a bigger entity when you volunteer here,” he notes. “It’s about putting yourself out there so others can absorb your positive energy.”
Antoine’s personal mantra speaks volumes about his outlook on life:
”“You cannot be successful in life without serving others.”
He believes that the energy you put into the world comes back to you tenfold, a lesson he lives daily through his service, family, and volunteerism. “If you give positive energy, opportunities come knocking. Life changes when you change your perspective.”
Talking with Antoine reminded me of the power of mindset, the importance of community, and how one person’s light can inspire so many others. He truly lives the message that my dad shared with me each morning – to rejoice and be glad in each new day.
Hope For The Warriors is proud to honor Antoine McMullen as Volunteer of the Month. Through his energy, compassion, and dedication, he leads by example, lighting the way for others and inspiring hope throughout our community.
If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, visit HOPE’s volunteer hub today.
