Volunteer Spotlight: Kim Graves
For Kim Graves, volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s about seeing people and meeting them with kindness and love. Over the past year and a half, Kim has become a beloved part of the Share Ourselves family, radiating warmth, compassion, and an undeniable dedication to those in need.
Kim’s life has always been centered on love—love for her family, love for her community, and love expressed through action. As a mother of two grown sons, she’s instilled in them the same values that guide her every day. “We never end a conversation without saying ‘I love you,’” she shares. “Helping others isn’t something I think about—it’s just who I am.”
After nearly three decades in the dental field, Kim retired and found herself with time she’d never had before. After taking some time to consider what she wanted to do, Kim felt a pull to do something meaningful. “I always wanted to volunteer, but I had to work to make a living,” she recalls. “Once I retired, I knew it was my time to give back.”
That search led her to Share Ourselves, where she immediately felt at home. “I just went online, found Share Ourselves, and knew this was where I was meant to be,” she says.
More Than a Volunteer
Every Wednesday afternoon, Kim pours her heart into serving at the Share Ourselves Food Pantry distribution window, where she witnesses both hardship and resilience. She doesn’t just hand out food—she offers a kind smile and a moment of humanity to those who often feel invisible.
“It’s heartbreaking to see people come to the window with nothing,” she says. “Sometimes they haven’t eaten all day. Some open the food bag right at the counter and start eating because they’re that hungry.”
But for Kim, it’s not just about the food—it’s about connection. She takes the time to listen, to remember faces and names, to ensure that every person who walks through the door knows they matter.
A Calling, Not Just an Act
For Kim, volunteering isn’t just something to do—it’s a calling. “If you’ve never volunteered, please, just try it,” she urges. “People get caught up in the idea of not getting paid, but when you’re here, none of that matters. The gratitude, the smiles—it fills your heart in a way money never could.”
Through Share Ourselves, Kim has come to understand the depth of need in her own community. “Before this, I had no idea how many people were struggling right in our own backyard,” she admits. “Now, I see it every day. It changes you.”
And yet, for all the lives she’s touched, Kim remains humble. “I don’t do this for recognition. I do it because I know I’m making a difference, even in the smallest ways.”
A Well-Deserved Honor
Though she never seeks the spotlight, Kim’s selflessness hasn’t gone unnoticed. This year, she was nominated for the prestigious Spirit of Volunteerism Award in Orange County—a reflection of the love and dedication she brings to Share Ourselves and the people she serves.
As Share Ourselves strives to uplift the most vulnerable in our community, volunteers like Kim are the heartbeat of the organization. Her story is a reminder that kindness is powerful, that one person can make a difference, and that sometimes, the simplest acts of love—a meal, a warm coat, a listening ear—can change a life.
If Kim’s story inspires you, take the first step. Join the Share Ourselves volunteer team. Because one act of kindness, no matter how small, can transform lives—including your own.