Kenneth Jacobson on volunteering
From Back to School Clothing Drive, Champion for Children Award - Chairman's Award: Kenneth Jacobson · · Back To School Clothing Drive
“My favorite department is the shoe department — when you're giving these kids brand new shoes you can see their faces light up when they're trying them on; it's really impactful.”
On , Kenneth Jacobson, Chief Financial Officer at AVNET INC, spoke about volunteering during Back to School Clothing Drive, Champion for Children Award - Chairman's Award: Kenneth Jacobson on Back To School Clothing Drive.
About Kenneth Jacobson
Kenneth Jacobson, Chief Financial Officer at Avnet, was recognized with the Champion for Children Chairman's Award in 2018 for his volunteer work with the Back to School Clothing Drive. Jacobson said he became involved with the organization after it needed a treasurer, noting his background as a CPA and his desire to give back to the community. He described the organization's evolution over the past decade into a broader and more established entity with increased fundraising and programs. Jacobson stated that the Back to School Clothing Drive helps about 5,000 children each summer through its New Clothes New Beginnings event. He said that seeing pallets of clothing gave him perspective on the program's impact, and he described the shoe department as his favorite, noting that children's faces light up when receiving new shoes. Jacobson emphasized that the program helps children "level-set with their peers" so they can focus on learning, and he called for community support, describing a $100 donation as a "small ask" for the benefit provided.