Many are familiar with the HBO television series and award-winning novels, Game of Thrones, written by George R.R. Martin. But what many don't know is that George R. R. Martin served as a VISTA volunteer in his early career. In the 1970's, after graduating with a Master's Degree from Northwestern University, George began his VISTA service at Legal Assistance Foundation's (LAF) downtown office in Chicago. At the time LAF was still known as the Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation and had neighborhood offices throughout Chicago and Cook County. George spent two years at the foundation as the Director of Communications and Education, and his job duties were writing press releases and editing newsletters. Now George is an award-winning American novelist and short story writer who resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is currently in the process of writing The Winds of Winter, the sixth book of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, and working as a co-executive producer of Game of Thrones. George even joined AmeriCorps VISTA in its 50th Anniversary Celebration in Santa Fe, New Mexico! We're proud to call George one of our own!