06/05/2026
This month, we’re celebrating Gigi Kjos as our Volunteer of the Month! 💛 Gigi has become one of our signature bakers, delighting families with her thoughtful and delicious creations! Get to know Gigi better 👇️
How long have you volunteered with us?
"I have been volunteering at the Bend house since 2019. When we moved to Bend in late 2018, I knew I wanted to find somewhere to volunteer. I volunteered at the Tucson, Arizona, RMH for almost two years when we lived there for a short time. I was so amazed by how the house was run and the kindness of all the staff members and volunteers. I was excited to find out that Bend had a RMH, and I immediately contacted them to volunteer there. I have had several different volunteer jobs, whether it was cleaning, cooking a few dinners, being on the Leadership Board for a while, or helping with the K9 keg pull. It was all great! Then I decided to do what I love to do most, Baking! I come in two or three times a month to bake for the house guests."
What is your favorite part about volunteering?
"Baking sweet treats for the house guests! Fresh-baked cookies are magical and bring smiles to everyone who walks into the kitchen. I love it when the children come in and talk to me while enjoying a cookie, and their parents, too! The Bend RMH is a special place with a very special and kind staff. It is a joy every time I walk into the house!"
What do you like to do when not volunteering?
"I love to get out and enjoy nature, hiking, skiing, ice skating, kayaking, as long as it is outside, I am happy. My favorite hobby is being part of a Wildlife Watch connected to The High Desert Museum, where I also volunteer two days a week. My husband Tom and I manage 14 wildlife cameras in different places in the woods. The fun part is going out and looking at all the different species of wildlife we caught on our cameras! We have several large rock and flower gardens and a large vegetable garden at our house, which we enjoy working in."
Thank you so much, Gigi, for bringing comfort to our house one baked treat at a time!
