Disclaimer: The following was excerpted from articles in the Capper Foundation Archives, originally published in The Topeka Capital-Journal. The choice of words used at the time this was written may not reflect current Capper Foundation inclusive language and views.

Casie (2000)

“Volunteering should be helping out others, which you do, but at the same time, you get so much back.”

Those simple words may not seem like a revelation, particularly to anyone who has known the satisfaction of helping others.

But they were uttered by Hayden High School senior Casie Olberding about her volunteer work at The Capper Foundation. At 17, she already has discovered the joy of giving her time and energy to a worthwhile cause and organization, and she has learned what such a gift does for herself.

Olberding began volunteering at the foundation the summer after her eight-grade year. She was “too young” to get a job and had toured the organization on a school trip.

“I liked the environment, and I thought it would be fun to work with children,” she said.

Volunteering at the foundation for more than four years has given her a unique perspective, too. Now, she can follow the children and watch the progress each one makes. Seeing the children accomplish their goals has made the volunteer work worthwhile.

“The most fulfilling thing, I think, is that you can go in there and do something as simple as give them a hug or read a book-and how excited they get,” she said.

Casie has volunteered nearly 400 hours of her time working with students at Capper. She has worked in many different areas, but most recently with the preschool Kidlink program, which combines children with disabilities in a developmental environment.

Her dedication recently earned Casie The Capper Foundation Youth Volunteer of the Year award. Additionally, she was a finalist for the JC Penney Golden Rule Award for Youth Volunteerism.

We congratulate Casie for her tireless volunteer efforts and her record of scholastic achievements.