Volunteer Spotlight – November 2020: Haylee Saxon

Haylee is pictured above with her husband, Ben Saxon.

What’s your current volunteer role at JFCS and in what ways have you volunteered with JFCS in the past?

I currently serve as a volunteer within NextGen, the young adult group associated with JFCS. I started volunteering with JFCS in high school and became an intern while in college helping out with Healthy Youth-Healthy Communities and Shalom Baby. After I graduated, I served on the Board for five years before becoming President of NextGen.

How long have you been volunteering with JFCS?

I started volunteering with JFCS in high school!

What motivated you to volunteer with JFCS?

Growing up, I personally used some of the services that JFCS provides. I went to counseling and also received various scholarships throughout the years in order to attend Jewish summer camp. I was always grateful for the support JFCS provided my family and I and wanted to give back to the organization. Camp was such a huge part of my life growing up – the support that JFCS provides to so many families in our community is something I care deeply about. As Director of Camp TEKO a few years back, I sought to strengthen this partnership and make sure that families knew about all the scholarships that JFCS has to offer.

Tell us about your volunteer experience with JFCS.

I have delivered Passover bags to families in our community, helped plan PJ Library events, participated in Hag Sameach gift wrapping and shopping, volunteered at the JFCS Annual Benefit, organized groups to volunteer at PRISM, and so much more over the years. My favorite volunteer experience is when we get to interact with those that we are directly helping. Volunteering with the ParentChild+’s (formerly named Parent-Child Home Program) graduation and delivering meals are my favorite. JFCS provides so many different opportunities for all different ages and abilities to get involved and that is what I love about volunteering with JFCS.

Whats your favorite part about volunteering with JFCS?

My favorite part about volunteering with JFCS is getting my own family and friends involved. Last year I helped organize a mom and daughter volunteer event and this was very special to be able to volunteer with my mom and get others involved. I have also enjoyed seeing many of my friends become involved over the years and look forward to seeing NextGen continue to grow and positively impact our Twin Cities Jewish community.

*Haylee helped organize a mother/daughter volunteer event for JFCS last year.*

Anything else to share?

I look forward to continuing to volunteer with JFCS and finding more ways to involve my own family and community of friends.

For more information about becoming a JFCS volunteer, contact Dana Shapiro, Community and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator & Intake Counselor, at dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org or 952-417-2112 or click here.