Local teacher and one of the women responsible for bringing Borrowed Hearts to Owensboro, Amanda VanBussum, has been nominated as one of four “Remarkable Women of the Tristate,” which is supported locally by Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). VanBussum was nominated by Amy Pride, a parent from Owensboro Catholic Schools where she teaches.
The initiative is part of the national Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc.’s celebration held during March, which is International Women’s Month and is “to honor the influence that women have had on public policy, social progress and the quality of life.”
There were approximately 150 nominees in total.
“It was humbling, flattering and shocking all at the same time, because I think of all of the people I know and they are remarkable,” she said. “I never would think I deserve more recognition than them.”
VanBussum surrounds herself with like-minded individuals and believes it is all part of God’s plan.
When she moved to Owensboro with her husband Travis, she said she told him she wanted people to know her for the good she does, something she credits to her parents who were “super-involved” in their church growing up.
“I wanted to be like my parents were — when they were out [in the community], people recognized them, but I wasn’t sure I’d have it here,” she said. “God connected me with all of these people. I don’t know how I got all of these amazing people — and Travis.”
After moving to Owensboro, VanBussum did not have plans to teach due to fostering children. She said she didn’t think she could do both and would, instead, try to work a retail job. But Travis told her she needed to do it because she enjoyed it, and now VanBussum teaches eighth-grade religion at Owensboro Catholic Middle School.
Last year, Travis needed a kidney and it was VanBussum who donated her kidney to her husband. Even then she acknowledged the Owensboro community’s willingness to help when they were both recovering.
“I have these people around me – people who jump in,” VanBussum said. “We had three months of meals [after they were home from the transplant].”
Both are now healed and are back to life and currently have five children under their roof — ages 5 to 9 — with two of the girls being sisters who are in adoptive placement with them.
“They all meshed together,” VanBussum said. “It’s meant to be.”
And last November, VanBussum and three other women, who either currently or previously fostered children, joined together to open Borrowed Hearts Foundation, a clothing closet nonprofit for foster families that began in Evansville, Ind.
“It’s crazy how it exploded almost overnight,” she said of Borrowed Hearts. “This community…people here love to help and especially when helping kids. Everything is totally run off volunteers and donations.”
VanBussum is also the teacher who mentors the service club at OCMS, and she has been able to incorporate the service opportunities with Borrowed Hearts.
“I just intermingle those two,” she said of the volunteer hours and the students’ willingness to serve.
VanBussum is not focused on winning a trip to New York City, and although she thinks it would be nice to see the city, two of her daughters told her they hope she doesn’t win because they want to keep her home.
For now, she is most looking forward to adopting her two girls this summer. Both have been in foster care for five years, and she is ready for them to have a permanent home.
“It is a true honor to be nominated,” she said. “Through this whole process, I have learned to be a voice.”
On March 6, one woman will be announced from each market as its “Remarkable Woman” and will be considered for Nexstar Woman of the Year” to be celebrated with travel and hotel accommodations in New York City to attend a reception and be featured on “The Mel Robbins Show,” which will tape March 18. The show announcing the winner will air during the week of March 23.
