Jeri spent the majority of her life dedicated to helping children in our community as an educator and community volunteer. She was a volunteer at Robert Gray Elementary for many years where two of her grandchildren attended. She would pop popcorn on Fridays for the kids, listen to kids read in the classroom and would anonymously adopt several Robert Gray families to buy them Christmas gifts. She always worked at the PTO Book Fairs and donated books to the library.
Her daughter Julie remembers her mom as someone who went above and beyond for her students and fellow teachers saying, “When she was teaching, she often talked about the children who came unprepared and with no supplies. She always helped them, gave them what they needed and encouraged them always. She just wanted to help all of her students succeed. She would purchase mounds of supplies to give to the kids in her classroom. She shared time and supplies with her fellow teachers, especially the new ones who needed mentoring.
If there was a time that a child needed clothing or shoes, she would ask my brother and I for things from our closets at home to collect gently-worn items or, even go out and purchase the needed items. She collected items many times every year to donate to the clothing bank. She was grateful for what she had and shared as often as possible.”
Jeri not only gave back to her students she also supported several nonprofits during her lifetime including: The Aberdeen Food Bank, AHS Foodball, AHS Marching Band, AHS Booster Club, PAWS and would always support any fundraiser that her friend’s children were involved in. She also anonymously helped many families in need.