Quintero Family
Dynamic Duo. That’s what Kim and Kate Quintero are when it comes to volunteering.
Kate was seven-years-old when she started with Honeycomb. “Being in a Catholic grade school, we weren’t strangers to volunteering,” says mom, Kim. “I found Honeycomb after researching and ever since, our alarms are set for the 15thof each month to register for projects!”
Not only have Kim and Kate regularly attended Honeycomb projects since, but they’ve stepped up as ambassadors for the organization – telling friends and family about Honeycomb’s offerings at every chance they get. “Honeycomb is a valuable resource for families looking for ways to give back together,” says Kim.
Kate, (now 15 years old) started to shine during her freshman year in high school when she was accepted into The Honeycomb Leadership Corp (HLC), which is designed for teens and parents who wish to build their leadership skills through service.
“Kate jumped right in and has been so confident in leading the service projects herself,” says Kim. The mom and daughter team has helped lead Volunteer at a Free Store most months for the past few years.
The family sets-up a free outdoor market in Humboldt Park to distribute donations such as clothing and housewares to neighbors in need. “She’ll talk to every family at each event and find a couple of kids to get to know better…she just loves it.”
Even after experiencing a house fire in the Spring, the Quintero family persevered and continued to volunteer and serve on the HLC. “Honeycomb has helped me keep perspective and appreciate the little things even more. It was so important for us to continue doing the things that make us happy. People came to support us after our loss and that's what we try to give back. We count on Honeycomb, and Honeycomb can count on us,” stresses Kim.
Despite enduring such a challenging year as Kim and Kate worked to rebuild their lives after the fire, the Quintero family's commitment to Honeycomb has grown, logging more than 50 service hours this year. Her hard work has earned her the distinguished title of Honeycomb’s Volunteer of the Year, an honor which was presented to her at the 2022 Holiday Cheer Challenge.
“It’s who we are, and something we love doing together” says Kim. “No matter what, we will always spread the word about Honeycomb and we will always volunteer. We're looking forward to many more years to come.”
The Quintero Family lives in Park Ridge. Kim is a Realtor and Kate is a sophomore at Main South High School. Kate is active in the Empower, Psychology and Environmental Service Clubs. Kim and Kate love spending time together outdoors and recently visited a Wildlife Sanctuary and the Georgia Aquarium.