Kohl's clerk leads her team of volunteers by example

Ask most volunteers and they'll say their efforts are about others, not themselves. Jane Lindstrom is such a volunteer.

"She's very humble and doesn't like recognition," said Christine Favia, community outreach coordinator for Palatine Township. "In fact, she did not even want to be featured in this story."

However, Favia felt so strongly about all the volunteer work Lindstrom does, she talked her into it.

"She and her team from Kohl's Cares for Kids are very enthusiastic and energetic," said Favia. "Jane and her team come in constantly through the year to help."

Lindstrom, a customer service clerk at the Kohl's store on Golf Road in Schaumburg, was asked to be the A Team representative for the store. However, her work goes well beyond what was expected.

The A Team helps distribute gifts for Palatine's Adopt-A-Family Program, which provides new toys, clothing and gifts to families who are referred to the township by local social agencies.

"This Christmas everyone on the team wanted to volunteer for the Adopt-A-Family program," said Lindstrom. "I didn't even put up a signup sheet."

Last year, 370 families got gifts, and officials are expecting more than 500 families will be referred this season. This year's event takes place, Friday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 13.

Lindstrom's job is scheduling: five people for three hours for each community outreach.

At 61, Lindstrom attends most outings herself, including a diabetes walk, a bike run and several other Palatine Township projects.

"We helped with an auction for Schaumburg High School's National Honor Society," said Lindstrom. "For a rummage sale for the victims of the earthquake in China, we helped with the sorting and selling."

Favia said Lindstrom has a talent for recruiting.

"She's a great motivator and morale booster."

Lindstrom, of Palatine, has a special place in her heart for the township's charitable aid activities. In part, it is due to the youth she is serving.

"For the spring baskets and the back to school, we interact personally with the kids," Lindstrom said. "It's like having a big kid party and you're in it. It's wonderful to see how much the children love it and how excited they get."

Since 1968 she also has volunteered with Philanthropic Educational Organization. Her chapter also sponsors an Adopt-A-Family participant.

The township's Angel Tree project, another favorite, focuses on individuals instead of entire families.

Trees in the lobby of the Palatine Township hall are decorated with handmade angel ornaments, which have the name, age, and gift wish of a low-income child or senior. Lindstrom has been known to buy a present for this venture.

Lindstrom's past volunteering history includes the Palatine First United Methodist Church's PADS facility for about 10 years. Through her church, she has done a CROP walk, blood drive and Meals On Wheels.

"One lady in particular touched my heart," Lindstrom said of Meals On Wheels. "She had a stroke and couldn't talk well. She was just so sweet. I would cut her food for her, but she would work to do as much as she could. She had a kindness about her."

She also recalls a letter she got from an Adopt-A-Family recipient.

"It was very heartwarming because a father wrote it," Lindstrom said. "This father thanked us and said he hoped someday to do as we have for him."

Certainly, letters of gratitude warm any volunteer's heart. However, thanks are not what motivate these dedicated individuals.

"My family comes first, but outside of my family, if I could pick one thing to do, it would be to volunteer," said Lindstrom. "It's my favorite thing to do."