Be The Change - Kim Berry, Red Bluff

When Kim Berry moved to Red Bluff twenty years ago, she didn't know a single person. She arrived in town as a single mom with four daughters, and was focused on leaving behind a life of crime and addiction. Now she is a celebrated volunteer and recognized asset to the community, and has made a positive difference in the lives of hundreds of North State families.

Kim's early days on the road to success were not easy. She had joined a church and began working at a dry cleaners, but recalls how difficult it was as a single parent to provide nice things for her children. "It was difficult, if not impossible to get them new clothes. They wore all hand-me-downs," she says. On two separate occasions, anonymous donors gave her $100 donations to provide new school clothing for her girls. Even though that broke down to only $25 per child, her daughters, now in their twenties, still clearly remember the outfits they bought. "That is how big of an impact it made," says Kim.

Years later, Kim was financially sound and married to a great guy. Still, every fall, she thought about those anonymous donations. "Every year at back-to-school time, I had this aching feeling that I should be doing what someone did for me," she says. She had an idea that she would like to find a way to sponsor 75 children. It was an ambitious project, and with no experience in accomplishing such a thing, she was afraid to even start. When she mentioned it to her pastor, he suggested she start smaller, and get going with it. With that, the Back to School Project was born.

In 2005, Kim and her church set a goal to sponsor five children with $100 towards new school clothing, and began fundraising with bakes sales and other events. They raised enough money to sponsor 18 children that first year. The Back to School Project is now in its fifth year, and has teamed up with individuals, churches, businesses and groups to provide a back-to-school shopping experience for hundreds of Tehama County children.

Kim says the project has "gone very much beyond what I ever imagined." In 2008, 236 children received new shoes, backpacks, outfits and haircuts so they could start the school year with "pride, dignity, and a feeling of self worth." She adds, "For the last three years, we have had children left on a waiting list because the need is so great." For the upcoming school year, there are over 300 more children who have applied than the group currently has funding to sponsor.

Kim Berry has been honored as the 2007 Tehama County Farm City Night Volunteer of the Year, and says she is happy to be able to give back. Aside from her volunteer work, Kim enjoys nature, traveling, the outdoors, and spending time with her six grandchildren. She is studying Spanish, and recently enjoyed a month-long trip to Spain with her husband. Kim is currently working towards an Associates Degree from Shasta College, and her future plans include continuing her education at the university level.

Kim recommends that other people who have an idea of how to make the community a better place "just take the first step...you'll be surprised at the response and support from others. At least verbalize your idea and tell somebody about it." She notes that volunteers usually put their heart and soul into their projects. Sometimes they get tired and frustrated, and may even feel ready to quit. "You need to surround yourself with people with the same passion, and share the load, or you'll burn yourself out." Kim says that on every occasion in which she has felt ready to give up, a former recipient or parent will call or see her around town, and tell her how much her work has meant to them. Those instances, she says, along with her faith and fellow volunteers, keep her going. Kim adds, "Red Bluff is a fantastic small community that really bonds together to support each other."

To find out more about the Back to School Project or to volunteer, refer a child or make a donation, go to www.backtoschoolproject.com or call (530) 529-4074.

Our Be the Change column mission is to feature those, especially from the North State, who are actively making a diffence in the lives of children and families. If you would like to nominate someone who is making a difference, please write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Writer Pamela Jorrick enjoys finding inspiration and motivation through all the fantastic volunteers in the North State.