“Giving back is very important to me. I love volunteering, especially working with kids. Seeing the look on their faces when you help them is priceless, the best gift is giving.” ~Lexi Kilcoin

According to Lexi Kilcoin, the best gift is giving. Kilcoin goes above and beyond to serve her community.

“Giving back is very important to me,” Kilcoin said. “I love volunteering, especially working with kids. Seeing the look on their faces when you help them is priceless. I believe the best gift is giving. You make people happy when you are able to help them. It’s rewarding to me.”

Kilcoin’s community service resume is filled with a wide range of experiences from serving at Christ the King Parish in South Bend, to tutoring kids at a local math academy, and volunteering at the Symetra Tour. She also has participated in events such as Kelly Cares and Coaches vs. Cancer. These events that support cancer research are special to Kilcoin.

One of her most enjoyable experiences has been working at Unity Gardens in South Bend, a garden designed to feed hungry people and to provide a place for diverse people to gather.
With over 55 gardens of all shapes and sizes, Unity Gardens prides itself on feeding a community’s stomach and soul.

In addition to offering free gardening classes, the non-profit also offers free cooking and preserving classes to demonstrate various ways to grow, cook and preserve food.

“I just love it there,” Kilcoin said. “You really see a sense of the entire community because there are so many people who need what they offer. Anyone can come and pick their own vegetables and even leave with some chicken eggs. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from. I love the feel of community there.”

Kilcoin is considering a post-graduate internship at Unity Gardens along with other community service endeavors prior to heading off to college.

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS:

• Committed altar server at Christ the King Parish in South Bend, Indiana since fifth grade
• Now a Master of Ceremonies, serving as a leader to younger altar servers
• Three-year participant in the Christian Service Camp
• Tutoring
• Reins of Life
• Saint Vincent DePaul
• Work for Saint Joe Day
• Participates and supports events such as Kelly Cares and Coaches vs. Cancer
• Worked in the Symetra Tour Nike Booth
• Serves on a Together for the Long Run committee