Caring for Kids

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Laura Gibbons. Read her story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.  

With as much volunteering 50-year-old Laura Gibbons does, people may be surprised to learn that she’s also a full-time recruiter for CompHealth. This married mother of two was adopted from South Korea when she was just 1 ½ years old and grew up in a family of 11 before eventually moving to Utah. She points to a culture of helping others and kind adult figures in her life as motivators for her hundreds of hours of volunteering – and that’s just since she started keeping track in 2025 – particularly with kids. 

Laura spent eight years as a Troop Leader for Girl Scouts. She spends many hours at Roots Charter High School and Judge Memorial Catholic High School, where her kids attend(ed). She serves on the board of her friend’s organization, Project Hope 4 Kids, and goes to the Geraldine E. King Women’s Resource Center and Catholic Community Services to bring and serve food as much as she can. 

Her own kids have picked up the culture that has been so important to Laura, and both are active volunteers. Once, at the request of her daughter, Laura and her family stopped to assist at an animal shelter while vacationing in Thailand.  

If the goal was to raise the next generation of kind humans, Laura has undoubtedly succeeded. Not only has she inspired those she has helped but those she has volunteered with. Even today, younger siblings of her kids’ friends ask to join in her work.  

What inspires you to volunteer? 

My parents instilled the idea of helping others from a young age. We’d volunteer in our community every year starting when I was around 9 years old. People have also always helped me throughout my life, so I continued to do it when I came to Utah. I love it.  

We’re given so much, and there are many people who have less than we do. I try to teach my children that. It’s important. That’s probably why I volunteer with kids a lot. 

Tell us about your volunteer roles and what inspired you to get started with each initiative. 

I was never in Girl Scouts, but I knew it was a great program. There were some really hard times in my life growing up. I had really good youth leaders in my life who made a huge impact on me, and I felt like I should be the same for others. I wanted to teach my daughter that. So, I decided to be the troop leader when she was in second grade. 

22 girls joined my troop, and every year, along with building outdoor skills and confidence, we’d volunteer. We’d clean up beaches, help at shelters, donate food, etc. They’re all adults now, but they stay in touch, and many have gone on to create their own initiatives.

I also volunteer at Roots Charter High School with underserved students that also has a farm where students work during the week. They have classes on topics like cooking and finances, so that when they graduate, they’re more prepared to be self-sufficient adults. They also grow and sell plants. 

Six years ago, I went to a Thanksgiving lunch my friend was catering and decided to volunteer. I started bringing my kids and their friends to help in fourth or fifth grade, and I’ve become one of their main volunteers.  

I organize an annual Easter egg hunt when all the animal babies are born. Girl Scout troops started asking if I’d do a farm day to educate kids, so I’ve been doing that as well as introducing prospective families to the school. I also organize youth service and secure funding.

As a Project Hope for Kids board member, I help put on events–like bowling or a trip to a pumpkin patch–for refugee and immigrant students to let them know they’re not alone. And we work with other local refugee programs to address basic needs. 

It can be scary when you don’t speak English and you’re adjusting to something new, especially if your family doesn’t have money and support. My daughter’s two best friends in high school were refugees. One was the first to graduate from high school, got a full-ride scholarship to the University of Utah, and is now applying to law school. When she and my daughter played basketball together, I’d bring her dinner along with my daughter’s, because there were days she hadn’t eaten. I think about others like her who can get the support they need with this organization.

I’ve been the President of the Football Booster Club for the past two years at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. More than 70% of students there are on some form of scholarship. We raise funds to help people participate in sports who can’t afford it. We also offer student-athletes free tutoring and a food pantry for those facing food insecurity.  

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work? 

Some of these kids have been around since grade school, and it’s been so rewarding to see how my volunteering has impacted them and to see that they’re thriving as adults. 

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer? 

At Roots’ first annual fundraiser, a farm-to-table meal using everything the students grew and raised, students spoke about the school. I didn’t know how much this school impacted their self-esteem. This isn’t just a high school; it’s a safe haven.  

I’ve also learned balance. You have to pick and choose what you want to be passionate about. I used to volunteer for everything, and I’d spread myself too thin.

What do you want people to learn from your story? 

Adults have the power, whether they’re a teacher or a coach, to set the tone for children’s self-esteem and who they can be. You never know what a child’s going through. And you can teach more than just your kids how to volunteer. Just be an example of being good to others.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Laura? Find local volunteer opportunities.