Phillip Saulsberry is living his best volunteer life.

Saulsberry, of Sharpsburg, serves as the CMO or “Chief Morale Officer” at Second Harvest Community Thrift Store in Sharpsburg.

And he takes his job title seriously and wears a custom nametag that states his CMO status.

“I feel happy here,” Saulsberry explained during a recent shift unloading donated furniture and home goods from the nonprofit’s van.

Whether he’s unloading donated furniture, manning the register, pricing items or organizing donated clothing, there’s not a job around Second Harvest that Phillip can’t handle.

Saulsberry loves to flex his muscles, smile, have lunch with fellow volunteers and greet patrons.

“Welcome to Second Harvest,” he frequently quips to all entering the nonprofit thrift spot offering household goods, furniture, shoes, clothing and accessories.

Having Down syndrome hasn’t deterred Phillip in his personal and professional pursuits..

He’s a 2019 graduate of Fox Chapel Area High School and earned a food service certification from CCAC in 2020.

“I like to cook grilled cheese, chicken sandwiches and hot dogs,” Saulsberry said.

“Food is his love language, next to his job,” said Phillip’s mother, Phyllis Wade.

Wade is never too far from her son’s smiling face and has worked at Second Harvest for four years.

The mother/son duo reside close enough to walk to Second Harvest.

“He follows me to work everyday,” Wade said. “He loves being around everybody and is a social butterfly.”

Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE Second Harvest Community Thrift Store employee Phyllis Wade hugs her son and volunteer Phillip Saulsberry.  

Phillip, 24, volunteers four days weekly and can most often be found doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Co-worker and Second Harvest production manager Drew Kozlowski of Sharpsburg touted Phillip’s work ethic.

“He’s there when you need him. He does everything,” Kozlowski said. “His value is tremendous. On the days he’s here we always leave smiling and he brings up the energy.”

Fellow worker William Wynn of Monroeville is impressed by Phillip’s positive attitude.

“He always has a smile on his face,” Wynn said. “He’s so positive and he’s the go-getter and Mr. Do-it-all.”

Saulsberry’s favorite volunteer duty is riding around in the Second Harvest van to collect donated items such as furniture and household items.

“My first nickname was “Boss,’ ” Saulsberry joked while showing off his toned muscles.

Second Harvest director Bonnie DeMotte described Phillip as the “heart” of Second Harvest.

“We love him dearly,” DeMotte said. “It’s impossible to be around him and not feel the joy that he brings to the store everyday. There’s a reason that Phillip is our Chief Morale Officer. He works so hard helping people with their donations and making the store look beautiful.”

Customers frequently ask to see Phillip and are disappointed if he’s not there, Kozlowski said.

Philip takes the accolades in stride, with a good dash of modesty.

“I just go and help,” Saulsberry said.

Joyce Hanz | TRIBLIVE Second Harvest employees William Wynn of Monroeville (l) , volunteer Phillip Saulsberry (middle) and production manager Drew Kozlowski move donated furniture on April 29 in Sharpsburg.  

Phillip only requires assistance when money is being handled, otherwise he’s a versatile and valued volunteer handling all aspects of operating Second Harvest.

Saulsberry works alongside a staff of eight and dozens of volunteers.

Phillip is a Sharpsburg native, has a brother and sister and is a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Sharpsburg.

“He’s the perfect embodiment of our mission to meet material and relational needs,” DeMotte said.

During his downtime, you’ll find Phillip occasionally sleeping in and enjoying food, basketball, video games, watching “Chicago Fire,” FBI shows and hanging out with his cat, Mango.

---

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---