We’re excited to spotlight one of our amazing volunteers, Gayle Kahn. In April, Gayle was awarded our Founders Award, and has volunteered with our longest running program - Discovery at Parklane Elementary School! Outside of volunteering, she was the regional training manager for Prudential Real Estate and Relocation. She’s emerged as a leader in everything she does, and is truly as she describes: kind, extroverted and active! Her passion for giving back to our community is amazing!

Read more about Gayle in our interview below!

What impact areas or pressing needs facing Atlanta do you care about most? Why?

Public schools especially Title I schools. The unhoused population Refugees especially in Clarkston, GA.

What do you love most about an organization you volunteer with? Why do you volunteer with them?

I was an elementary school teacher for 11 years with a Master's Degree in Education. I left teaching for the corporate world but once a teacher always a teacher. Parklane ES Discovery gives me the opportunity to use my teaching background and my love for children and volunteering. I want to make a difference in a child's life.

“I have loved being able to make a difference in the lives of so many children for 28 years. We try our best to combine reinforcing academics with fun activities. The children are so smart and are like little sponges. It is a joy to be with them. We also teach kindness and other soft skills and I love seeing them interact with each other. I get as much out of it as they do or more.”

— Gayle Kahn

What skills have you honed or what have you learned through your experience as a volunteer?

The children are on so many different levels and it is great to be able to give them one on one individual instruction and attention. As a former teacher I know this is not always possible in a classroom setting. This is an enrichment program since it is on Saturdays and only 2 hours but one would be surprised the impact we can make.

Can you share a memorable highlight or moment you've experienced that might motivate others to volunteer?

The two main areas we work on the most are reading and math. I tutor in 2nd grade. We try to instill a love of reading. One year we asked the children to draw a picture of what they wanted to do when they grew up. I'll never forget the little boy that drew a motorcycle policeman but when he shared his picture with the class he said he had changed his mind and he wanted to be a librarian so he could help children pick out books. You bet I cried. If you touch just one child in some way it is all worthwhile.

“I have lived in Atlanta since I graduated from the University of Florida except for 4 years when I taught for the DOD school system in Germany. I was born in Syracuse but I have become a Southern at heart. I love the friends I have made, the trees, the parks, the restaurants, the local theatres including the FOX, my walking neighborhood and most of all the good people that are all around the city trying to make Atlanta a better place to live for all. I love volunteering and besides Hands On Atlanta I am involved with other projects.”

— Gayle Kahn

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in getting involved with volunteering?

Go to the Hands On Atlanta website and look at all the opportunities offered. Check Facebook, Nextdoor, etc. Someone is always in need of help. It can be a one-time thing or a long-term commitment. There is something for everyone.

Please list anything else you think our community should know about you, your volunteer service, or your commitment to Do Something Good!

I will be a young 80 years old in July and am grateful I am able to be so active at this stage of my life. I have been volunteering at Parklane ES for 28 years and hope to be doing many more years. I also was known as "The Jacket Lady" for over a decade as I collected donated money and purchased new winter jackets and distributed to the Parklane students that were in need as identified by the teachers. Some years we (it got so big I had friends helping me distribute at the school) gave out over 200 jackets! I discontinued the project in 2021. Any leftover jackets I donated to Friends of Refugees in Clarkston. I also work with 2 friends helping to feed and collect clothing for the unhoused in downtown Atlanta. I have done many charity walks...American Cancer Society, Saint Jude's, etc. I guess you might say volunteering is my hobby. Before Covid I was a regular volunteer usher at the FOX. I also have made sandwiches for The Sandwich Project and made fleece blankets for the dogs at the LifeLine animal shelter. I collect newspapers for the Jack Russell animal rescue group. I have purchased food at the Food Commune and taken it to the Free Frig. There's more but I won't bore you any further. I guess I have my fingers in a lot of pies and love every minute of it.