When it comes to volunteering, Kathleen Baumgardner has always been one of the first to ask how she can help. She comes by it honestly: Her parents were lifelong volunteers, and her mother is nearly 90 and still volunteering.

“When you see it happen your entire life, it becomes important,” Kathleen says. “You get more than you give. It feels good, it’s important to do, and you meet some amazing people. .. You really get so much out of it. So much energy from positive things happening.”

Kathleen met her husband, Jeff, at age 14, just after her family moved into the neighborhood. Jeff was the paperboy, and walked by on his route as the family was unloading and unpacking. He offered to help her father move some of the items into the house. “We met when Jeff was volunteering for us,” Kathleen says.

The couple have passed on their passion to their children: Their oldest daughter works in the social services area, and the younger, who’s just graduated from college, always found ways to help, including distributing donated food from her barista job to people in need.

“She’d tell me stories of how she gave someone a wrap, and then they talked for half an hour,” Kathleen says. “It’s fascinating and interesting to watch our kids make their place in the world and find their own way to help.”

Kathleen’s family has never focused on the holidays as a once-a-year chance to gather, but instead sees it as another chance to volunteer.

“We went to visit my mother, and one of the first thing she said was, ‘When you’re here it’ll be Thanksgiving, we get to help with the dinner at the VA hospital!’ For most people, volunteering is not a highlight of a holiday,” Kathleen says, “but the WWII vets are awesome and have great stories, and are really fun; our oldest daughter came as well and she really enjoyed it.”

Meet Kathleen at TEDxPeachtree 2016 as she shares her idea about how a physical space can transform lives and the community as a whole.

Photo credit: April Whicker

Aly Merritt is a former copy editor with a residual addiction to journalism. She is currently a product manager at SalesLoft, and sporadically blogs at www.AlyintheATL.com.