This month, we caught up with Swirtty Mae Nibley, who has been a regular Store to Door shopper at Hollywood Fred Meyer since 2014! In addition to being a longtime Store to Door superhero, Swirtty has an alter ego as an accomplished singer and showbiz personality!
Q:How did you first learn about Store to Door? What keeps you coming back?
A: I first learned about Store to Door through Facebook! One of the main reasons I keep coming back to Store to Door is I love helping! It’s like my heart, mind and body is used to helping. If I don’t help it’s like my week is not complete. Then of course I want to see the Store to Door family! And to see any new friends that I recently made.
Q: Do you have a shopping pro-tip to share with our newer volunteers?
A: The tip that I can share to our new volunteers is to enjoy what you’re doing and expect to be challenged! Help doing grocery can aid in protecting your mental and physical health. 😉 Every week that I’m helping, I learned a lot, there’s a lot of food and things that I didn’t even know existed!
Q: What is one of your favorite Store to Door experiences?
A: One of my most unforgettable and favorite experiences helping at Store to Door was, I think it was before COVID-19 came, Fred Meyer suddenly decided to change everything at the store! When I say everything it’s like every aisle that we’re used to go, were not as we knew! We didn’t know where to start or where to go! 😂 Both volunteers and Fred Meyer employees had to talk to each other a lot more in order to get the job done.
Q: What keeps you busy when you are not volunteering with Store to Door?
A: I am taking care of my elderly grandpa! ❤️ Before I used to do singing engagements. But because of COVID-19 a lot of events have been canceled. For now I just practice my singing at home, clean the house, do gardening, attending virtual class and I’m learning how to cook new dishes.
Q: What might someone be surprised to know about you?
A: In the showbiz world my stage name is Sophia Montecarlo, I started singing at the age of 3. My first television appearance was when I was 11 years old. I also performed in a reality show in the Philippines, I competed at the World Championship of Performing Arts held in Los Angeles and won several medals. I earned the title of Kumoricon Idol in 2019 and still retain the title due to COVID-19 canceling the event for year 2020. Now I’m one of Portland’s local singers! One of my favorite local events is the Jade Night Market. ❤️