Volunteer Spotlight: Linda Burns

Linda Burns has volunteered with the IRC in Charlottesville as a donation shop attendant and as a member of the annual event committee. “Linda has been a great volunteer to work with,” says resource developer Kimberly Brown.  “She truly cares about the IRC’s cause and it definitely shows in her work.”

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a mother of three boys and a stepmom to two and a grandmother to 12 children ages two to 23.

How did you become interested in volunteering with the IRC?

One of my friends got me involved in last year’s fundraiser.  I came back in January to help with the IRC’s donation store and resource development team.

Have you encountered any challenges while volunteering with the IRC?  If so, how and what have you done to overcome them?

The biggest challenge for me is the language barrier.  I am patient and I just try to use visuals to help get my point across.

What have you learned from your volunteering experience?

How rewarding it feels to be helping families in need and the feeling that it is greatly appreciated.

What has been your most memorable moment as an IRC volunteer?

When I was helping a refugee woman in the thrift store pick out a few things she needed.  When she started to walk out, she turned around and gave me a big hug and said “thank you!”