Giving Back~ Julie Bussey

CONTINUING THE GIVING TRADITION

Beaches Resident Julie Bussey

By Michelle Williamson

Julie Bussey, real estate advisor at Engel & Volkers, is a long-time Beaches resident who learned the value of giving back while growing up. She went to elementary and middle school at St. Paul’s in Jacksonville Beach and graduated from Bishop Kenny High School. She celebrated her 40th high school reunion in August 2022. Giving back was the norm in her family. “I experienced giving as a way of life,” says Julie of her formative years. Whether taking the elderly home after church, picking up groceries for someone or helping in other ways, she remembers her family extending a hand when and where needed. Julie continues that tradition. Volunteering remains a vital part of her life.

“My mom and dad were auxiliary members of the Jax Beach hospital; they would push patients in wheelchairs where they needed to go,” Julie remembers of her parents’ many volunteer roles. “Dad continued doing that for nearly 30 years until he couldn’t physically do it anymore.” Julie was a caregiver for both her parents until they passed away; her mom passed 20 years ago, and her father in February 2021.

Today, Julie is a mom of four grown children, Amanda, Daniel, Rachael and Tiffany, and a grandmother to four, Mila (3) and Oliver (six months), Mason (12) and Ellis (8). Her life is a mix of family, volunteering and work.

Her nearly 20-year real estate career — she received her license in 2006 — has been in mostly the Beaches area. Though she enjoys a successful career — today, most of her business is repeat and referral clients — she would rather be volunteering.

I would volunteer five days a week if I could,” she laughs.

Right now, though, that’s a dream. Julie was just named top listing agent at her agency, the fruit of her long workdays.

Julie and her motorcycle group, The Iron Mermaids

BEAM DREAM TEAM

One day a week, Julie can be found volunteering at BEAM’s (an acronym for Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry) food pantry in

Jacksonville Beach, an organization founded by area churches in 1985 to assist low-income residents. Julie’s father, Richard Ouellette, before his passing, drove a truck to pick up “rescued food” (soon-to-expire food donated by area grocery stores) for the Jacksonville Beach BEAM food pantry. Then any area residents in need of assistance “spend 20 minutes shopping for food and leave with a cart full of groceries,” Julie explains. After her father’s passing, Julie picked up the torch.

Now every Wednesday, Julie can be found with her same group of five volunteers, known as the self-proclaimed “BEAM Dream Team,” working in the food pantry. On Wednesdays, BEAM receives rescued produce and dairy, and Julie’s job is to go through the donated food, separate it and prepare it to be stocked on shelves for customers to take home. BEAM’s volunteer shoppers help customers during their grocery shopping trip. “It’s truly wonderful,” says Julie.

Julie volunteers at a different BEAM location on Thursdays and at Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary on Tuesdays.

Julie is a proud graduate of Bishop Kenny High School and recently celebrated her 40th class reunion.

THE ARC JACKSONVILLE

Amanda, Julie’s oldest daughter, who was born with special needs, lives at the Arc Village in Jacksonville. “The Arc is for adults like Amanda who can live independently but who need support in

place,” explains Julie. “The community was built and finished in 2016, and Amanda was lucky enough to get one of the apartments there.” Julie volunteers there regularly as well.

“The first couple years, I was the BINGO lady in the cafeteria on Tuesday nights,” Julie remembers. Then, for a year or so, she worked in the café serving coffee, bagels and smoothies. She also helps out in the main office, welcoming visitors or helping where needed. “I’m always doing something at The Village,” she says.

Julie also drives Amanda back and forth to work and to sports practices and events. Though Amanda plays multiple sports, golf is her main event. She’s been called “the gold standard” in Special Olympics Golf. She’s won 18 medals in Florida’s Special Olympics Games, and in 2022 Amanda won the gold medal in golf at the Special Olympics 2022 USA Games held in Orlando.

THE IRON MERMAIDS

Julie is also a member of a group of women motorcycle enthusiasts, the Iron Mermaids, Jacksonville’s chapter of the international women’s riding group, Women in the Wind. The Iron Mermaids are “all professional women who love to ride and have fun. It’s my wind therapy,” Julie shares. When on a recent ride together, the group was stopped by a traffic light and noticed a woman holding a sign needing money. “Here we were, me and my girls riding our expensive machines,” she remembers of seeing the woman in need. “All of us stood up and started digging in our pockets to help her.” In response, at the last Iron Mermaids quarterly meeting, giving back was on the agenda. “We haven’t decided anything yet,” says Julie. “But we’re considering ways to help.”

Julie sees her volunteer efforts just as she learned it as a child, as “part of life lived.” She understands the value of helping others. “Imagine,” she shares, “if everyone would put in a little effort and spend a little time helping others, this world would be a better place.”

Julie with her BEAM team