From Holiday Baskets Kid to Community Leader: Jack’s Full-Circle Story
“I’m grateful that Holiday Baskets has been part of my life for so many years. It was an important part of growing up for me, and I hope it’s made me more compassionate toward everyone I meet.”
Some volunteer experiences last a season. Others stay with you.
For Jack, Holiday Baskets has been part of his life since he was a kid who volunteered in the program. This year, as a recent college graduate, Jack returned to Community Resource Center’s Holiday Baskets program again, this time volunteering alongside his mom, who now serves as a Holiday Baskets Captain. It’s a full-circle moment that speaks to the long-term impact of service, and the way meaningful volunteer experiences grow with us over time.
Starting Young
Jack was seven or eight years old when he first volunteered at Holiday Baskets. He came with his parents through their church, St. James, after his mom suggested it would be a meaningful way to help others during the holidays. While Jack says the earliest years blur together, one experience stands out to him: helping families shop.
“I think it was the second year that my dad and I helped families shop,” Jack recalls. “It meant a lot to me to talk with the families as they shopped — seeing how important it was for them to get gifts, food, blankets, and other things for the holiday, and the impact it had on them.”
Even at a young age, those conversations left an impression. Holiday Baskets wasn’t just about distributing gifts. It was about dignity, connection and joy.
Growing Into Leadership
As Jack got older, his role naturally evolved. He became deeply involved in the behind-the-scenes work that makes Holiday Baskets possible.
His mom helped lead the hospitality section at the fairgrounds, and Jack assisted Kym, the longtime volunteer leader of Holiday Baskets at the time. From setup to event days, Jack did a little bit of everything.
“I was at the fairgrounds every day after school during the week leading up to Holiday Baskets to help with setup,” he shares. “During the event, I did whatever was needed — helping volunteers get to their stations, running messages to different areas. I loved being there.”
It was seeing how many people it takes to pull off something so meaningful that shaped his understanding of teamwork and service.
Service That Shapes the Future
When it came time to apply to college, Jack didn’t have to search for an experience that reflected his values. Holiday Baskets was already there.
“A couple of my essay questions focused on public service and helping make my community better,” he says. “Holiday Baskets was a natural topic to write about because I saw firsthand how it made a difference.”
In his essays, Jack wrote not only about the impact on families, but also about collaboration — how staff and volunteers come together across roles and backgrounds to make the event happen.
“It really is a true team effort,” he explains. “So many people working together to support others.”
Growing Into Leadership
As Jack got older, his role naturally grew. He became deeply involved in the behind-the-scenes work that makes Holiday Baskets possible.
His mom helped lead hospitality, and Jack assisted Kym, the longtime volunteer leader of Holiday Baskets at the time. In the week leading up to the event, Jack was there after school helping with setup. During the program, he jumped in wherever he was needed.
“I was at the fairgrounds every day after school during the week leading up to Holiday Baskets to help with setup,” he shares. “During the event, I did whatever was needed, helping volunteers get to their stations, running messages to different areas. I loved being there.”
Seeing how many people it takes to pull off something this meaningful shaped Jack’s understanding of teamwork and service.
Coming Back and Seeing It New
This year, Jack returned as an adult volunteer. While the heart of Holiday Baskets was the same, the program itself has evolved.
Holiday Baskets has moved from the fairgrounds to a retail-based model at Target, allowing families to choose exactly what they need and ensuring all items are brand new.
“It was a different experience,” Jack says. “But it was great that families could choose exactly what they wanted.”
There was also a personal connection.
“It was funny being back at the store,” he adds. “I worked there in high school, so it felt like everything coming full circle.”
Volunteering again, with the perspective of adulthood and college behind him, gave Jack an even deeper appreciation for the program and for the community that makes it happen year after year.
Why It Matters, Especially for Teens
When asked what he hopes other teens and new volunteers take away from Holiday Baskets, Jack doesn’t hesitate.
“It’s really important in our area to not be insulated by privilege,” he says. “It’s easy to get caught up in daily life and not realize how many diverse people, experiences and perspectives exist in our community.”
He also speaks to something many young people feel, discouragement about the future. “Giving back in a tangible way counteracts that,” Jack explains. “It gives meaning and purpose. And then maybe that purpose carries forward, not just during the holidays, but year-round.”
A Lasting Impact
This year, Holiday Baskets served hundreds of local households in need, thanks to the dedication of volunteers, donors and community partners. Read more and see photos of our 2025 Holiday Baskets program here.
For Jack, being part of that impact again and again is something he doesn’t take for granted.
“I’m grateful that Holiday Baskets has been part of my life for so many years,” he says. “It was an important part of growing up for me, and I hope it’s made me more compassionate toward everyone I meet.”
Stories like Jack’s remind us what’s possible when young people are invited into meaningful service. The impact doesn’t end when the event does. It grows into leadership, empathy and a lasting commitment to community.
