Some people don’t need a spotlight to make an impact.
They show up quietly.
They serve consistently.
And over time, they become part of the foundation.
Kammy Perdew is one of those people.
A long-time volunteer with CLDI, Kammy didn’t come looking for recognition or a role. She came because she sensed God was already at work and she wanted to be part of it.
Drawn by Stories of Hope
Kammy first learned about CLDI through her son, Kaleb, who began working with the organization. As he shared stories about what was happening on the South Side—families being supported, youth being encouraged, needs being met with care, something stirred.
“It wasn’t just what they were doing,” Kammy shared. “It was how they cared.” That care mattered. And it still does.
Saying Yes Without Knowing the Whole Picture
Volunteering wasn’t new to Kammy. She had spent much of her life serving in different ways, simply because she loves helping people. But CLDI felt different. What made her say yes? “Trusting that this is where God wanted me to be at that time.”
No elaborate plan. No long-term strategy. Just obedience. And that small yes turned into years of faithful presence.
What Keeps Her Coming Back
Ask Kammy why she continues to serve, and her answer is simple: people. “The volunteers. The families. The relationships.”
At CLDI, service isn’t something done for people, it’s done with them. Staff work alongside volunteers. Relationships are built through shared purpose. Community grows through consistency. Over time, Kammy says, that kind of community changes you.
When Service Becomes Community
Before CLDI, Kammy understood service as helping others. Through CLDI, she’s seen how deeply connected service and community really are. “Service is being willing to put the needs of others before my own just as Christ calls us to do. And community is what makes that sustainable.”
She’s watched volunteers pray for one another. Encourage one another. Support one another. And she’s experienced what happens when people with different backgrounds unite around a shared mission. “It’s built through relationships and a common commitment to serve God and others.”
A Picture of Unity: The Christmas Store
If there’s one moment that captures this unity for Kammy, it’s the Christmas Store. “There’s an energy there that’s contagious,” she said. “Everyone is united by the same purpose…helping parents and children experience the joy of Christmas.” It’s not just organized chaos or seasonal cheer. It’s a living picture of what happens when a community comes together with humility and love.
Making a Difference in the Small Moments
For Kammy, impact isn’t always dramatic.
Sometimes it’s listening to a kid who needs encouragement.
Sometimes it’s sitting with a woman at Hannah House.
Sometimes it’s simply being present.
“The act, no matter how small, can create a lasting impact.”
And along the way, God does something unexpected.
“Serving isn’t just about what we do for others,” Kammy reflected. “It’s also about how God works in our hearts through serving.”
Something Bigger Than Ourselves
Kammy hopes CLDI continues to spread God’s love across the South Side by meeting real needs, building real relationships, and showing people they are seen, valued, and loved. She knows the work matters because she’s seen what happens when people don’t try to do it alone. “When we work together, we can make an impact beyond what any of us could do on our own.”
That’s what being part of CLDI means to her: God’s work done with a humble heart, through love, compassion, and community. And it’s an invitation for anyone who’s ever wondered if their small yes could matter more than they think.
Thank you, Kammy, for your faithfulness and example of a servant heart. We are so grateful for our team of volunteers that create this beautiful community! Join us!
