Every year, Jim Skoog generously volunteers his time and efforts to support the growth and success of Kicks For Kids. Serving as the chairman of the Meijer/KFK Celebrity Golf Classic from the beginning, he strives to bring the event to a higher level each June. He does all of this while also managing to serve as the Associate Principal of Sycamore High School. It is this balance, and his commitment to KFK, that places him in the Volunteer Spotlight.

Thirteen years ago, KFK Founder Doug Pelfrey first asked Jim to help coordinate volunteers for the Celebrity Golf Classic. Jim and Doug were neighbors at the time, and attended the same church. The following year, Jim became the chairman of the golf outing and has remained in this position ever since. He likes the event because it utilizes his organizational skills, his ability to get things done, and of course, his love for the game of golf. "How could you not like people out on a golf course for two days, no matter how hard you work?" Jim asks.

No matter how taxing the job, Jim's main focus is always the children KFK helps. "I do it for the kids," Jim says, "I have been in education for 33 years and I just enjoy doing things for kids." He also enjoys the core group of volunteers that have worked with the charity over the years, as they have become some of his closest friends. "The people we work with are great people, and it is fun to work with them," Jim says.

Besides the golf outing, he has helped with a variety of Kicks For Kids events over the years, including the original Basketball Shootout event. Jim has also served on the Christmas Committee since the event's inception. While he says there are many highlights over the years, one of his favorite stories is from the 2nd Annual Christmas Celebration. A little girl attending the event was the last child to visit with Santa. "She really wanted a puppy," Jim recalls, "Suddenly, Boomer Esiason brings in a puppy and delivers it to her. It's the same face on every kid, it really is - every time they open up a gift and get what they want - it's just amazing."

Jim says he will always continue to reach out to others, "I am very community minded; I think everyone should volunteer to help other people, I mean that's me." Kicks For Kids thanks Jim Skoog for being who he is and all of the incredible work he has done.