YOU MAY SEE HER BIKING THROUGH THE PARK BLOCKS AT PSU. SHE MAY HAVE EVEN CHECKED YOUR GROCERIES. BUT WHAT YOU CAN’T SEE IS THE SATISFACTION SHE GETS FROM HELPING OTHERS FIND SUCCESS. MEET JENELLE, KERR ANGEL.

AK: What's a normal day like for you, Jenelle?

JB: I am a full-time student at Portland State University where I am studying French. I also work part time at Whole Foods Market in the Pearl District.

AK: How did you find out about Albertina Kerr?

JB: I met an employee at a friend’s birthday party. She had a lot of great things to say, so I looked into it. I got involved because I’m interested in being a social worker. Kerr seemed like a perfect opportunity to work in the community.

AK: Tell us about your involvement.

JB: Currently I work with foster children, doing some tutoring and skill building. I try to volunteer at least once a week for four hours. My favorite activity is Support Night, every first Thursday at Kerr's therapeutic foster care site. It feels good to show others that you care about their well-being. Establishing strong, healthy human connections is what I cherish most.

AK: What do your friends say when they hear what you’re up to?

JB: Everyone I talk to is incredibly supportive. And I’d like to think I’ve planted the seed of thought in many of them to get involved however they can.

HE’S GOOD WITH A HAMMER AND GREAT WITH KIDS. WITH A LITTLE ELBOW GREASE AND A LOT OF WOOD GLUE, HE’S SHOWN THE KIDS AT ALBERTINA KERR THE SATISFACTION OF SEEING A PROJECT TO COMPLETION. MEET DON, KERR ANGEL.

AK: How did you first get started with Albertina Kerr?

DB: A very good friend of mine suggested I teach a woodworking class at Albertina Kerr. Woodworking is something I’ve been doing since the 7th grade. I taught day classes for nearly six years and really looked forward to the time I spent with the kids. Since then, my wife and I have volunteered at several Albertina Kerr events—the golf tournament and at last year's Race for the Roses. We’ve also been to the auction and financially helped out too, what we could.

AK: So you donate and volunteer? Why not write a check and call it good?

DB: There are a lot of people who have money, but that doesn’t solve all the problems. A donation only goes so far. You need the skills of people to put those donations to work. There’s a lot volunteers can do that money can’t buy.

AK: What keeps you coming back to Albertina Kerr?

DB: The need. There’s a definite need, and I feel I can help fulfill that need.

AK: And tell us about the award you received for being an outstanding volunteer.

DB: I was presented with the Silver Circle award at the 2004 Annual Luncheon. It was a very nice award. It's framed and proudly hangs in my shop in the garage.

EVERY DAY AT 5:05, SHE WAKES FOR A MORNING RUN BEFORE HEADING TO HER JOB AT NIKE. ONCE A MONTH, SHE EXERCISES HER VOLUNTEERING SPIRIT ON THE MARKETING COMMITTEE FOR RACE FOR THE ROSES. MEET RIVAH, KERR ANGEL.

AK: By day you sell shoes and by night you're planning marathons?

RF: Yes. I work at Nike and volunteer on the marketing committee for Race for the Roses. It’s a few hours every month and ramps up as the event approaches.

AK: Was the race how you first got started with Albertina Kerr?

RF: Actually, I started as a visiting friend at an Albertina Kerr home for girls. I was asked to volunteer at the Annual Gala Event and eventually found out about the Race for the Roses marketing committee. One of my best friends joined the committee with me as well and it is a great chance for us to spend time together, doing something that we care about.

AK: How many other friends have you roped into volunteering?

RF: I had about 20 friends who ran the race the past few years which is great. A few were unable to run and volunteered instead.

AK: What’s the significance of volunteering to you?

RF: Albertina Kerr brings a lot of things to my life: a sense of fulfillment, being
a part of the bigger community, and helping kids and families that need a little support. Being on a committee with other like-minded individuals is a definite highlight.

TWO WEEKS IN ITALY, TWO WEEKS IN ROME. SHE TROTS THE GLOBE WITH HER HUSBAND AND THEN GLADLY RETURNS TO HER OREGON HOME. YOU CAN SEE HER WEEKDAYS AT ALBERTINA’S RESTAURANT AND SHOPS. MEET MARSHA, KERR ANGEL.

AK: How long have you been working with Albertina Kerr?

MB: I am a charter member of Albertina’s Restaurants and Shops. We opened our doors in 1981 with the goal of raising awareness of Albertina Kerr in the community and having a volunteer organization that could raise funds to be donated. It was a very exciting project to be involved with. Here we were, using our skills as homemakers and career people to operate and managage a business on our own as volunteers.

AK: Has it been a successful venture?

MB: We are well into $7 million of donations to Albertina Kerr from the four businesses combined. I remember when we hit our very first million, there was a gentleman who found it hard to believe this group of self-managed volunteers could be as successful as we were. We certainly showed him!

AK: How much time do you typically spend at Albertina Kerr each month?

MB: Between the thrift shop and catering, I try to volunteer 8 hours each week. The average volunteer donates about 15-20 hours per month. It’s all very helpful. Other than that, I spend time with my 9 year old grandson or I’m on the golf course working on my swing.

HE’S A FORMER OSU LINEBACKER AND THE FATHER OF THREE BOYS. WHEN NOT COACHING FOOTBALL TEAMS OR ATTENDING A PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE, HE’S DIRECTOR OF YOUTH PROGRAMS AT ALBERTINA KERR. MEET BERNIE, KERR ANGEL.

AK: How did you get involved in this line of work?

BW: When I graduated from Oregon State University, I planned on becoming an athletic director. I stepped into a position at a residential group home overseeing 13 youth. I thought it would be a temporary gig but found it to be the perfect job for me. I'm going on 19 years now.

AK: Tell us about the kids you work with.

BW: I've always gravitated toward those who need support. And many of these kids have fallen between the cracks. These kids are fighters. They’ve adapted to serious life challenges and with adequate support, they can overcome their obstacles and go on to be successful in life. I know we can help them succeed by playing to their strengths.

AK: You're very passionate about your work. Is it challenging?

BW: When people ask about my job, I tell them, “I don't call it work; I call it what I do.” And what I do is very rewarding. I can’t stand sitting at a desk all day. So Albertina Kerr works for me. My days are never the same and there’s no set routine. I wake up each morning and know something new will come my way.