Four years ago, the Obamas started a new inaugural tradition: the National Day of Service. Whether in D.C. or at home, Americans across the country joined together to give back to their communities. Lorette Batiste, a service leader, U.S. Army veteran, and native North Carolinian, was among the first to sign up.

Braving the cold Washington weather in 2009, Lorette teamed up with a local church group participating in the first National Day of Service to bring food to the homes of the elderly through Meals on Wheels. It was an eye-opening experience for her: “These folks just didn’t have anybody to give.” But Lorette and her family never missed out an opportunity to help those in need.

As a young girl, Lorette had an elderly neighbor who struggled to put food on the table every day. So every time her mother cooked breakfast, she’d hand Lorette a plate and say “Take this to Mr. George.” “When we ate lunch, Mr. George ate. When we had dinner, Mr. George ate,” says Lorette. “Each and every day.”

The need to help the hungry has never left her. Now living in Hampton, Georgia, she helps organize a Backpack program for children in her community who may have food at school but go without meals over the weekend.

“You take it for granted that kids have a chance to eat,” she says. “But I remember one child came to our house one weekend and said in surprise, ‘Wow, you guys eat all the time!’ It just about broke my heart.”

For this year’s National Day of Service, Lorette is partnering with churches and schools to help organize more than 20 different events across Georgia. Taking her cue from the First Lady’s Let’s Move! campaign, she’ll work to bring meals to people in need as well as organizing walks and hikes to fight obesity. “It’s not just about making sure you eat, it’s about making sure you eat healthy,” Lorette says.

While the Day of Service gives Lorette a reason to organize these events, it’s not the main reason she wants to get involved this year: “Giving back is not something you do for just one day. It’s about making an impact on your community, long-term. If you can make someone’s life a little better, that’s what matters.”

Find out how you can give back to your community. Sign up to get involved in this year’s National Day of Service.

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