Working on the Interfaith Outreach Back to School program is Linda Picek’s passion. She is amazed at the strong community support this program receives and is proud of our community and how individuals donate volunteer hours, supplies and funding. Providing our children with school supplies and a fresh, new backpack adds to the excitement surrounding a new school year. It also helps give students confidence as they enter new classrooms for the first time.
Over the past seven years Linda has been part of the Back to School committee. She interacts with other members to successfully implement different aspects of the program including coordinating volunteer help, creating grade-specific supply lists, inventory control, procuring items, purchasing supplies and packing the supplies for distribution.
Linda believes, “Truthfully I’ve probably gotten more from my volunteering than I’ve given — friendship, relationships with staff and clients, that feeling of making a difference.” One of the great things about working with the Back to School program is that it is a tangible, hands-on effort. She enjoys seeing the community support, the expressions of thanks from clients, and the joy on the children’s faces when they receive their new school supplies and backpacks.
Thank you, Linda!