聽 聽 For decades, Phyllis Cameron has-and continues to be-revered in the town of Arcola for her homemade cinammon buns and for her selfless service to the community.
聽聽聽聽 On March 10 and 11, she mentored some of the community's upcoming volunteers as she hosted students from Arcola School's SMACK (Students Making A Change with Kindness) Club in her home for a two-day marathon baking session, where the group made 35 dozen cinammon buns to share with every member of the school, from staff to students to bus drivers.
聽聽聽聽聽 Making cinammon buns for every person at Arcola School is something Cameron has been doing 鈥渇or years,鈥� says educational assistant, Cathy Burton. 鈥淭o us, she's the Cinammon Bun Lady, but to the kids, she's the Cinammon Bun Grandma.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淓very year, Phyllis has made cinammon buns for every staff member at the school, all of the kids and the bus drivers, too,鈥� says Burton. 鈥淭his year, the kids wanted to come to Phyllis, and over two days, they made 35 dozen cinammon buns, enough for everyone at the school. That's just the way Phyllis would like it.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 Teacher and Arcola School SMACK coordinator, Whitney Paul agrees. 鈥淎s far as volunteering in the community, our students really look up to Phyllis Cameron. She's been an outstanding community volunteer for decades, and she continues to volunteer, even into her eighties.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淒efinitely the work she does suggests her commitment to volunteerism. And for years, she's not only baked for us here at the school, she's also paid for the ingredients out of her own pocket.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淭his year, Cathy went and got the groceries. We at least wanted to help her with the expenses, even though she'd never expect it or ask for it,鈥� says Paul. 鈥淏aking with the kids is something she really looks forward to, and the kids are always very excited to go to her house and work with her.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲hen they're with Phyllis, they also just hang out with her, play cards and visit. It's great for the students and their friendship with Phyllis is somehing they really appreciate.鈥�
聽聽聽聽 鈥淲ith SMACK, the students have become more aware of the impact of kindness in our community, and in the world. Phyllis is a living example of what a lifetime of volunteerism looks like,鈥� says Paul.
聽聽聽聽 鈥淪he's obviously a great role model.鈥澛�
