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Meet Joan Popper, a dedicated JFS volunteer whose belief in welcoming the stranger and repairing the world guides everything she does. That conviction fuels her commitment to meaningful community work—most visibly through her leadership of our annual Back-to-School event.
“As a retired teacher, I had to get involved,” Joan shares. “All children deserve the joy of starting the school year with fresh supplies—crayons with points, pencils with unused erasers, colorful markers.”
This year, Joan helped the event run smarter and smoother. Drawing on past experience, she coordinated with local schools to gather grade-specific supply lists. Those lists shaped the JFS Amazon wishlist and helped ensure we had exactly what students needed—without running out.
One moment stands out for Joan: a high school student lighting up after finding the perfect backpack—with a water-bottle pocket on the side. “And I got to interact with so many more volunteers this year,” she adds. “What an amazing group of people with diverse backgrounds and ages!”
For Joan, volunteering with JFS is deeply personal. “It’s important for me to act on my values and beliefs. Knowing I may have helped a family feel more at home is incredibly rewarding.”
Her advice for anyone considering volunteering? “JFS has a place for you. No special talents required, time commitment at your convenience—and you will make a difference in repairing the world.”
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