This week, Purdue Today will offer short profiles of Purdue faculty, staff and students who are making a difference by volunteering at a United Way agency or program. Today, Purdue Today is featuring Molly Gilbert, senior academic advisor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, who volunteers at Right Steps Child Development Centers, which offers early care and education, after-school care, and educational trainings, technical assistance and workshops on child development through The Child Care Resource Network.
How long have you worked at Purdue?
Five years, started in August 2011.
How long have you volunteered with Right Steps Child Development Centers?
I have volunteered for three years, starting in fall 2013.
How did you get involved with Right Steps?
Two former co-workers were members of the board, and the organization had decided to hold a 5K walk/run as its big fundraiser in 2014. Before coming to Purdue, I was director of a camp for children with cancer, and we organized a 5K fundraiser each year. Knowing my history, my co-workers asked me to sit on the Right Steps Run planning committee. I have been involved ever since and even send our son to one of the centers!
What does your volunteer work with the group entail?
My involvement has grown over the years. I have been active in the planning process for the annual Right Steps Run 5K/10K, now in its fourth year. We meet regularly to plan the race from picking a date all the way to race day in April. I have also recently joined the board for the organization, where we monitor and establish organizational policies and make decisions for the good of the organization.
Why did you decide to volunteer?
I am a huge believer in education, from birth through higher ed, and unfortunately there are a lot of children who do not receive quality child care and are starting their formal education behind many of their peers. One of the things Right Steps offers is four early care and education centers that operate on a sliding fee scale. This allows access to quality child care and education for families of all income levels. Right Steps believes that all children deserve quality child care and early education, and they work to make it available to the youth in Tippecanoe County. I am excited to be a part of that and to put my heart and soul into something so important. So when asked to help, I didn’t think twice about it.
What would you like to tell someone who is considering volunteering at a United Way agency?
Do it! United Way agencies are all working towards a common goal — to create change that will make our community better. It’s a pretty amazing feeling to know you are volunteering for an organization that is making such an impact in your local community.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I am in a unique position because not only do I volunteer, but I am also a parent of a Right Steps child. I am in a center every day and get to see the impact the organization is having on our community. Children who may otherwise not be receiving early education are excelling socially and academically (and even getting regular health screenings!). It is very rewarding to be a part of something like that.
We are always accepting volunteers. If anyone is interested in finding out more, they can contact me at mollyg@purdue.edu.
How to help
The United Way of Greater Lafayette lists volunteer opportunities online on its Volunteer Center page.
Faculty, staff and retirees also may contribute to the Purdue United Way Campaign by going online and logging into the ePledge system. Donors can choose among several methods — payroll deduction, one-time credit card donation or recurring monthly donations, or by check.