Actress and Volunteer Leader Urges Public to Serve with Compassion and Perseverance

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 21, 2025 / Actress, model, and long-time volunteer Bobbie Mangini has been spotlighted in a new feature article, "Bobbie Mangini: From Midwest Hustle to LA Acting Grit", where she opens up about her unconventional path to success-and calls on others to find meaning by giving back and staying persistent.

In the interview, Mangini shares powerful reflections on rejection, resilience, and the importance of service. But more than a story of personal triumph, the piece elevates a cause close to her heart: grassroots volunteering and community support.

"Success isn't about how much money you make or how big your role is," Mangini says in the piece. "It's about how many people you can serve, however you're able. Whether that's your time, your money, or simply showing up."

Bringing Awareness to Community Hunger and Holiday Disparities

Mangini's advocacy is rooted in experience. From 2018 to 2022, she served on the board of trustees at FISH Food Pantry in Carpentersville, Illinois-where she also launched Operation Santa, a toy drive that has brought holiday cheer to hundreds of families.

"This will be our seventh year," she says. "People take a tag with a child's age and gender, buy a gift, and bring it back. Simple. And it changes someone's whole holiday."

According to Feeding America, over 1 in 5 children in the U.S. lives in a food-insecure household. In December alone, thousands of families across the country turn to local food pantries not just for meals-but for dignity, warmth, and a sense of normalcy.

Mangini's work addresses this reality not with grand gestures, but grassroots systems. "We don't need to wait on someone else to start a movement," she adds. "Start with your neighborhood. Join a toy drive. Serve one meal. It counts."

Raising a Voice for Rejection Recovery

The article also highlights the emotional toll of chasing a dream. Mangini describes going through 50 failed auditions in a row, yet refusing to give up.

"You hear all the no's-too tall, too old, not right for the role. I had to stop taking it personally," she says. "The lesson is: keep showing up."

Her story connects to a broader concern in mental health. Studies show that rejection activates the same pathways in the brain as physical pain, and resilience is key in navigating careers with high uncertainty, including the performing arts.

Mangini's advice? Balance it with purpose.

"I stay grounded by reading the Bible and helping people. That's what keeps me going-faith and service."

Start Small, Stay Humble, Show Up

Rather than asking for donations or directing to a campaign, Mangini wants the public to reflect on how they can serve in their own way.

Volunteer in your neighborhood. Check in on a local shelter. Start your own mini Operation Santa this holiday season. Lead with kindness-even if no one's watching.

"We're only here for a short time," Mangini says. "I just want to be a blessing to as many people as I can. And I hope others feel the same pull."

To read the full interview, visit the website here.

About Bobbie Mangini

Bobbie Mangini is an actress, model, and former HR manager based between Illinois and Los Angeles. She holds dual degrees in Sociology and Anthropology from DePaul University and has studied acting at Act One Studio and Acting Studio Chicago. She is also a dedicated community volunteer, with ongoing work in hunger relief and holiday drives for underserved families.

Contact:

info@bobbiemangini.com

SOURCE: Bobbie Mangini