Rachel Setzke is one dedicated volunteer. She started volunteering for Share-A-Gift over two decades ago when she was only five years old.

Share-A-Gift is an all-volunteer annual holiday project that provides toys, bikes, and books to less fortunate children living in the Boulder Valley School District.

Setzke credits her parents with getting her to volunteer at such a young age. "They encouraged us to help others through various volunteer projects and community efforts growing up," she said. "I've done all manner of things for Share-A-Gift. Back then it was sorting and cleaning up gently used Barbies," Setzke noted.

Now she is on Share-A-Gift's board and is in charge of publicity. "I also have helped recruit groups to host toy collection boxes this year and I have staffed the Spanish language book part of our Toy Shop for the past few years, helping families find books," Setzke added.

"I love that the organization serves multiple purposes. It obviously helps families in need and makes sure that kids get gifts at the holidays. The organization also allows people to donate the toys they're done with to others rather than throwing them away," she said. "Also, as it has for me, it allows people of all ages to find a meaningful way to help others."

Setzke speaks highly of Share-A-Gift and recommends the organization to interested volunteers. "This organization is fun to work with," she said.

"I remember one year watching a little girl, maybe six or seven years old, help her parents bring her old play kitchen in to donate. A family who was looking for gifts for their kids immediately selected it for their daughter and were delighted to have gotten it. I remember the expression of joy on the little girl's face as she realized that her generosity was going to make someone else very happy. That, in so many ways is what this organization is about."

For information about volunteering with Share-A-Gift or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.