DMV employees who work with Olyn Warfield know she has a kind heart. Since starting at DMV more than 15 years ago, Olyn has developed what she considers a moral obligation to help others who are less fortunate than she is by donating her time and talents. “I picked this up watching others here at DMV offer their big hearts,” she said.

For several years, Olyn has coordinated the annual talent show during DMV’s Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC) raising funds for sickle cell anemia, a debilitating disease that her daughter Joy has had since birth. Last year, Olyn, Joy and a group of dedicated DMV volunteers came up with a new theme for the talent show, Pampering Tots.

“Proceeds from the talent show went toward purchasing those expensive disposable diapers for babies,” said Olyn. “We now have a very reputable agency ready to take on the quick distribution to families in our community - Capital Diaper Bank, located here in Richmond.”

Outside of DMV, Olyn is an author. She recently published her first book “Omar Blue and K-9 Town, USA,” a story told in rhymes. Olyn also has a blog, “My Dog Leads Two Lives.”

A person who loves animals, especially dogs, as much as she does people, her book is based loosely on her dog. “Omar is the pack leader of a wonderful, fictitious and mysterious town of canines that he and his pack form,” she said.

Olyn recently decided to bring together her love for helping others and her passion for writing. Olyn and Joy now go to homes and hospitals for children and adults with special needs, nursing homes and wherever they can find groups that will appreciate the special presentation they have developed through the reading of her book.

The presentation consists of much more than just reading. Before they begin, Olyn and Joy pass out bookmarks and mini-posters and display a large poster that show all of the characters in “Omar Blue and K-9 Town, USA.” These visuals allow the audience to become more familiar with the characters. While Olyn reads, Joy runs a projector that shows the pages so the audience can follow along. “The visuals and allowing the audience to follow along gets them more involved,” Olyn said. “One time when I was reading to a group at the Veteran’s Hospital, a man shouted out ‘I wish I was there!’ That was inspirational.”

Recently, Olyn was honored at a recognition ceremony for volunteers at the Virginia Home, a non-profit that provides nursing, therapeutic and residual care to adults with irreversible disabilities. Olyn's book and blog are now getting the attention of readers and other authors. She was recently invited to do an interview blog by Pamela Kinney, a popular science fiction author.

Olyn enjoys sharing Omar Blue’s story with others and is always looking for new places to visit. If you have an agency, nursing home or special needs group that would appreciate what she does during her spare time, feel free to contact her for more information.