Congratulations to Jean Gaumer who was recently recognized as 2022 Volunteer of the Year by the United Way of Greater Lafayette (UWGL) at their annual meeting. Jean is a Quality Supervisor at Kirby Risk Service Center (KRSC) and has been with Kirby Risk for 11 years.
UWGL shared several ways Jean has served the Lafayette community over the past year.
Jean Gaumer knows some community members not only experience food insecurity, but also struggle to know where their next meal is coming from. This community need spurred Jean to lead the Women United group to provide a monthly meal at Lafayette Transitional Housing Center (LTHC). Jean not only creates a monthly nutritional meal plan, but Jean, along with her husband Charlie, provide the main and side dish. If that isn’t enough, they also serve the meal, along with other volunteers they recruit. Over 1,200 meals were served last year!
Beyond the monthly Women United LTHC meal, Jean also stocks and maintains one of the nine (soon to be thirteen!) Little Libraries at a city park. She also initiated and coordinated the addition of a Little Library in Romney after learning they lost their mobile library service. Another Women United project, in collaboration with Bauer Resource Center, is collecting and distributing items for children to establish a bedtime routine with caregivers. Jean stepped up in a huge way by introducing this initiative in her workplace, Kirby Risk. As a team they collected thirty-six boxes! Moreover, Jean steps up for Seniors and Veterans during the Holiday Day of Action as well, providing needed items for personal hygiene and comfort. Her leadership in Women United is invaluable to its core value of tackling the issues that matter most to the people who call Greater Lafayette their home.
In response to her accolades for the award, Jean said, “It was very humbling to receive this award. It truly took my breath away.” She added, “I don’t have words for my awe and appreciation of the United Way of Greater Lafayette for all the incredible services they provide for our less fortunate. What a great community we live in!”
Thank you, Jean, for making a difference in the lives of so many in your local community and for encouraging others to make the same commitment. You are truly a compassionate person and inspiring leader!