Celebrating National Volunteer Month

Volunteer Spotlight: Gretchen Tate

At WINGS, our programs thrive thanks to dedicated community partners who believe in our mission. Today, we're honored to shine a spotlight on Gretchen Tate, Director of Community Service at Porter-Gaud School, whose decades-long support has created meaningful connections between high school students and our WINGS kids.

Building Bridges Between Students

Gretchen has been familiar with WINGS for years, appreciating both our history and program design. "It is setting young students up for success while giving them tools to manage their stress and emotions," she shares. But what makes her partnership especially valuable is her vision for how these interactions benefit everyone involved.

"I believe our high school students can mentor, but more importantly, also feel inspired after they visit with the children in the WINGS program," Gretchen explains.

The Transformative Power of Service

Like many volunteer coordinators, Gretchen understands that service changes not just communities, but individuals. "I believe everyone volunteers thinking they will change the world, but for me, and for most people I see who volunteer, it ends up changing them," she reflects. "You always learn something about yourself after you volunteer." This wisdom shapes how she guides Porter-Gaud students through their service experiences with WINGS.

Gretchen Tate (pictured center) delivering food items with other Porter-Gaud volunteers

Volunteers are truly transformative within the WINGS program. They provide essential resources, emotional support, and create meaningful one-on-one relationships with our kids. These personal connections often become the highlight of a child's week, offering both academic guidance and the invaluable gift of focused attention and care. 

Creating Future Community Leaders

Through her work, Gretchen hopes to cultivate lasting values in her students. She aims for them to gain "a sense of purpose, connections with organizations they may have never heard about, and motivation to make positive changes in their community."

We've seen firsthand how her dedication has enriched our kids' experiences while nurturing empathy and leadership in Porter-Gaud students. To date, we estimate that more than 200 Porter Gaud students have volunteered at WINGS, and new students learn about WINGS and our mission every year, thanks to Gretchen. From coloring with students, donating snacks and supplies, helping with homework, making crafts, or playing basketball, volunteers from PG have made a difference in our programs for years!

Our Heartfelt Thanks

From all of us at Wings for Kids, thank you Gretchen! Your partnership means the world to us, and we're so grateful for how you've embraced our mission with such heart and dedication. 

Gretchen’s commitment to fostering meaningful service opportunities creates ripple effects that benefit both kids in our afterschool programs and the high school students in our community. You can follow Gretchen and her students as they volunteer throughout the community by following them on social media: @pgservice

Want to volunteer at a WINGS program? We’d love your support. Click here to learn more.

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