Volunteer Spotlight: Finding Purpose Through Service

For nearly two years, Blake Underwood has been a dedicated ForKids volunteer. He helps wherever he’s needed—from cleaning up after summer camp to watering plants in the building and caring for the grounds around the agency.

Blake says volunteering at ForKids has given him a sense of purpose he never expected.

One afternoon, for example, the dishwasher broke in the Birdsong Cafe, and Blake found himself washing dish after dish—a mundane task that some might try to avoid. Instead, the job sparked an epiphany: Blake realized if he didn’t wash the dishes, the kids wouldn’t have clean plates.  

“It hit me that my being here mattered, showing up for other people mattered,” he said. “ForKids helped me see the value of my life.”

Today, Blake describes ForKids as his second home. The kindness and encouragement he found here helped him grow in confidence and discover the difference one person can make through simple acts of service.

Whether he’s working behind the scenes or lending a hand wherever it’s needed, Blake knows his efforts contribute to ForKids’ overall success—and he hopes other young people will consider volunteering, too.

“If you want to help people and see your efforts make a difference, this is an amazing place to be,” he said.