Jackie Landeck, of Niles, volunteers at the Niles Salvation Army, which is located at 424 N. 15th St., in Niles.

What do you do for the Salvation Army?

I go in and cook once a week. I go in on Wednesdays and prepare lunch. There is usually two or three of us who do that and plan for meals every once in a while.

How did you get involved?

We lived in Niles most of our lives but went out to Pennsylvania for six years. When we moved back, (my sister-in-law) was involved with Salvation Army and so she introduced me to it and I got hooked.

How long have you been involved?

I think I have been there about two years now.

What has been the most rewarding part?

There is not one single thing, but it is just knowing that you have done something to help make someone’s day a little brighter. You have met a need and may even meet a need in you. I need them too. They are a fantastic bunch of people.

I have learned so much about the other shoe. We never know when we are going to need a helping hand. We never know how important people are in our lives, no matter how insignificant they might seem to somebody. Everybody has something to offer.

This is a bunch of people that make you feel good about yourself and that you have something to offer too.

I’ve just learned any number of important issues in life, like to never judge.

Why is it important to volunteer?

It makes you richer. It just makes you feel so, so blessed. You have an important thing to do and you are important to somebody. If you forget that, when you are there you are just reminded that we are all in this fishbowl together.

Do you know a volunteer worthy of recognition? Nominate him or her by calling Ted Yoakum, community editor, at (269) 687-7706, or emailing him at ted.yoakum@leaderpub.com.