Jackie Kaufman
Jackie Kaufman recently became the most recent recipient of the Boys and Girls Home and Family Services Inc. Jeff Dible Volunteer of the Year Award for 2011. Jackie first became involved with the Boys and Girls Home after a lunch date with a friend years ago. As she recounted,
"One day right before Christmas, she told me about a girl who was terrified even thinking about the holiday. I could not understand that, as Christmas has always been such a special time for me and my family," she recalled. "It seems this little girl was abused by her father and her uncles before she was allowed to open her one gift. She associates the holidays and gifts with abuse. How terrible is that? Right then and there I asked what I could do to help."
The volunteer award is giving each year during the annual meeting and recognition program to recognize one volunteer whose leadership and commitment are outstanding. She has primarily focused on fundraising for the organization. As Terri Dooley, executive vice president of development said,
"Jackie is driven by planning Boys and Girls Home and Family Services events that each year continues to raise more money to support programs and services for the clients. That's her motivation."
She continued to explain that the best part of volunteering, from her point of view, is in helping children who have experienced trauma. As she said,
"I am involved because there is such a need. These kids will really tug on your heart strings. Some of them have gone through so much in their short lives, and they just need help dealing with the bad situation that they landed in. Boys and Girls Home is that place. It is a loving and protective environment for the kids."
Dooley added, “Her boundless creativity, passion, selfless dedication and amazing contributions best describe why she is so treasured."