One of the easiest ways to volunteer this holiday season is just a few minutes away. Operation Give Back (OGB), located just down the road from SHS, is a local nonprofit organization that serves the Sycamore community by providing vital resources and tutoring. By partnering with other community organizations, OGB can also host a full-time food pantry, a school supply and holiday store, and a coat drive. And it is easy to get involved with OGB, whether through donating or mentoring.

The Leaf interviewed Executive Director Sheila Lichtenberg to show how rewarding it is to “give back” with OGB:

Q: Can you tell me about the foundation of Operation Give Back? What inspired its
founding?
A: OGB was started in 2002 in the basement of Lee and Wendy Langston. The Langstons lived in
Montgomery and their children attended Sycamore Schools. A number of their children’s friends
who needed homework help would take the bus to the Langston’s residence where Wendy and
other volunteers would provide tutoring. Over the years, the numbers steadily grew: OGB
offered support to high school students, then intermediate and junior high students before we
finally included elementary students.
The expansion of OGB into multiple programs came as a result of the Langstons’ observations
during these first few months. When they noticed a lack of after-school snacks and food for
certain students, they created the Food Pantry initiative. Later, when they identified a lack of
resources for many students returning to school, they created the Back 2 School Giveaway.
Lastly, the Holiday Store was born from the needs of families struggling to provide holiday gifts
let alone essential items, and it now proudly serves our community during the most wonderful
time of the year.

Q: What is the mission and core value of Operation Give Back?
A: At Operation Give Back, our mission is to strive for educational equity and provide community
outreach to students and families in need, inspiring all to realize their full potential and GIVE
BACK to society.

Q: Can you describe some of the main programs or services that OGB provides the
community?
A: OGB provides the following to families living in the Sycamore School District and Sharonville
community:

• After School Tutoring (Sycamore Schools only) – tutors 48 elementary students
• Community Food Pantry- offers food, home supplies, and personal care items to local families; will serve an estimated 4,100 people in 2024
• Pet Pawntry- during pantry hours, OGB offers free cat and dog food to our shoppers
• School Supply Giveaway- provide new backpacks and school supplies to 760 students
• Winter Coat Giveaway- provide 600+ children with winter coats
• Holiday Store- provides 1,000+ children with gifts, clothing, and food during the holiday

Q: Could you share a story of a person or family who was positively impacted by your
programs?
A: I would say on a weekly basis we have a story to share. We have our students who love to
come to OGB after school- a place where they feel loved and cared for. We have our shoppers
who leave with a shopping cart full of food with words of thanks and appreciation. We have the
faces of children picking out their own backpacks and winter coats. I don’t think I can pick out just
one story!

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face as the leader of a community-focused nonprofit?
A: Operation Give Back relies completely on donations and volunteers to operate and provide
outreach programs and services. It is difficult to receive donations on a regular basis. Monetary
gifts come and go. It is my job to keep the awareness of what we do in the forefront of donors’
minds in hopes they will think of OGB when it comes time to make a donation.

Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of helping lead a nonprofit organization?
A: The most rewarding aspect is seeing how much kindness and thoughtfulness there is in our
local community.

Q: What inspires you most to continue this work?
A: In my opinion, we are on this planet to do good, to support those in need of assistance and to
be kind to our neighbors. Keeping this in mind keeps me motivated every day to do my job.

Q: What advice would you give others who are interested in starting or supporting a local community give-back program?
A: Some advice I would give for those starting a nonprofit: it takes time for a nonprofit to grow and
establish itself, be intentional, and surround yourself with likeminded coworkers with you all sharing
the same passion.
Some advice I would give those supporting a local nonprofit: explore all the programs being offered
(one may think a nonprofit has one function but there may be several layers), find ways to
volunteer not just provide monetary support; go see their facility – see firsthand all the good work
that is being done there.