Volunteer Spotlight: Lilly DeJaen

Lilly DeJaen has volunteered almost her whole life. Without putting a number to it, that is a lot of volunteering. She fondly recalls some of her first volunteer activities with the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, as the chair of the Women's Campaign "G-Day" or Gift Day at the Olympic Hotel in 1964.

Over the decades, Lilly has volunteered for the Jewish Federation in many capacities, from one-time efforts like phone-a-thons to her current, more intense role on the Planning and Allocations Committee helping determine where the Community Campaign dollars should go. She also recently testified in Olympia as part of the Jewish Federation's and Kline Galland's successful advocacy efforts in favor of a Jewish hospice, soon to be opening through Kline Galland.

"The pay is good," she quips with a smile. "In all seriousness though, there are lots of great returns and amazing health benefits, too" Lilly says, sounding like a cheerleader for volunteering.

"The Jewish Federation opened the door for me to volunteer at other great organizations," Lilly explains. Lilly has served on the boards of the Kline Galland Center, Jewish Family Service and the Washington State Jewish Historical Society. She has also given many volunteer hours to the Red Cross and University of Washington hospitals.

Lilly's first volunteering inspiration and role model was her mother. Mentors along the way have also made volunteering a great experience wherever she has been. Sounding like a mentor now herself, Lilly said, "If you want a decent community, you have to participate. Find the organization that speaks to you and get involved. Every organization needs volunteers."