Laura Kaye Leonard, of Niles, is a registered nurse and an electronic health record analyst at Lakeland Community Hospital. She volunteered at the Brian Park Memorial Foundation’s annual golf outing on Sunday, Aug. 5, which took place at Indian Lake Hills Golf Course. The foundation is a not-for-profit organization that helps provide people who have cancer with resources such as educational materials and monetary assistance.

How did you get started volunteering with the Brian Parker Foundation Golf Outing?

The actual Brian Parker graduated a year ahead of me from Niles High School, so I knew him and we were all good friends. We were with him when he went through his battle with cancer. I know that the foundation has raised a ton of money [to fight cancer] and it stays within our community. I know lots and lots of people that they have helped with their donations. For example, my sister has cancer and my stepmom has cancer, and the Brian Parker foundation has helped to pay their utility bills and anything it can do. All my family had to do was fill out a form.

What do you do as a volunteer?

I volunteer at the golf outing and we work a betting hole. We help to raise funds for the outing. We do whatever the foundation needs. If we have to cook, we cook. We help get donations. We always have a smile on our face and we’re willing to help anyone at the outing.

What do you like about volunteering at the golf outing?

Everything. I love seeing the people change every year. I love hearing stories — whether it’s sad or happy. Just getting to know people and listen to them. I love how everyone says that they will never miss the outing because they enjoy helping people and they want to give back. It’s just a great time.

Why do you think volunteering is important to a community?

Helping other people is important. I just love to volunteer. I do it all the time at the Niles Elks. It’s just all a part of giving back and paying it forward.

Why would you encourage others to also volunteer?

People just hear about how much fun volunteering is at the golf outing and they just ask to help. People rearranged their schedules this year to help in the afternoon. All of the people that know the Parkers just wanted to be a part of it.