Taking Pleasure in Giving

Aunt Leah’s Donor: Karin King

If you have been involved with Aunt Leah’s over the last 12 years, then there is a good chance you have met Karin King. Karin was a board member for two years, our Human Resources Manager for about 8 years, and is currently our Fundraising Assistant and she helps us in a myriad of ways with events and donor relations. Karin supports Aunt Leah’s as a donor, a volunteer and is a champion for the organization, helping to spread awareness and bring new people into our community.

Karin supports Aunt Leah’s as a donor, a volunteer and by spreading awareness about our organization.

Karin recalls how she first came to know about Aunt Leah’s. Karin and her family regularly attended one of the Community Meals where Aunt Leah’s offered pre-employment training in restaurant service skills to youth at risk. As a board member, Karin found herself caught up in the passion of the other board members as they worked together on vital issues within the organization. “What drew me to Aunt Leah’s was the work they were doing with the youth. I just couldn’t imagine what it must be like for these foster youth who’ve had to move from home to home, being uprooted, and the teen moms. I also admired that everyone was really focused on the mandate.”

Karin is also a mother and her son Joel is now 26. “Most of my friends are parents and our children have benefited from growing up with a certain level of affluence, and I just feel that when we know there are poor people and kids on the street, how can you not want to help?”

Karin’s friends ask her why she hasn’t yet retired. “You know, I so believe in what Aunt Leah’s is doing and the people they are helping and it’s nice to be around that. Aunt Leah’s really does very unique work. I have a lot of admiration and respect for the work the Support Workers do. And everyone, really. I feel like I’m surrounded by very caring, professional people who all have different things to bring to the organization.”

Karin has been an amazing ambassador for Aunt Leah’s. She is such a delightful person who genuinely cares about people and enjoys socializing and meeting new people. And she loves fundraisers! “My biggest delight is going to one fundraiser and buying something at their event and then giving it to Aunt Leah’s. That way, I can support two organizations! I get a big charge out of that.” Karin giggles and admits it’s not just out of generosity that she goes to these events but also because she likes to promote Aunt Leah’s. “Everybody knows where I work. I take any chance I get to spread the word about Aunt Leah’s.”

Karin’s favorite event is the Lonely Hearts Club Band which is an annual benefit concert with local talent performing Beatles songs. “Who doesn’t like music?” she asks with a laugh. Karin invites her friends to take part in all kinds of fundraisers and campaigns at Aunt Leah’s but she especially enjoys bringing friends to this event. “I love to see my friends having fun and enjoying the music, but of course I want them to know the purpose behind it as well.”

About her own choice to support Aunt Leah’s financially, Karin says, “I get a lot of happiness from that. One of my greatest pleasures would be to be able to start my own foundation. How wonderful would that be?”

Karin has been such a great help to us in fundraising and her love of people and passion for helping youth and teen moms in need contribute to her ability to reach out to our supporters. “I think most people are giving. When I’m talking to people about an event, it sparks their creativity to think of the different ways they can help, whether it’s with donations or their time or expertise.”

One of Karin’s new projects is helping to promote the concept of “Third Party” Fundraisers – where individuals or groups host their own events and donate the proceeds to Aunt Leah’s. Karin has come up with a lot of creative ideas for different kinds of fundraisers people can do with their friends and family or co-workers. If you are interested in hosting an event, or supporting one of Aunt Leah’s events, give Karin a call. You’ll be glad you did!