For longtime WC parent and grandparent Deb Baker, showing up for students is about more than giving her time. It’s about investing in something she believes in.
Every day at Worthington Christian, God is at work in the lives of students, families, and teachers. As we approach the end of the year, a season when many families consider their charitable giving, we’re sharing stories that offer a glimpse into the lasting impact of a Worthington Christian education and the difference made possible through the generosity of our community. Because every gift impacts a story.
Spend a little time in Worthington Christian’s Lower School lunchrooms, and you might meet a familiar face among the students. Deb Baker, a longtime WC parent and current grandparent, regularly volunteers during lunch, including in the K–2 building, where she doesn’t have any grandchildren enrolled.
In fact, some of the students have taken to calling her Grandma.
At this year’s Grandparents Day, Deb’s own grandson shared an observation about his grandmother that says a lot about why she continues to volunteer.
“My Mimi doesn’t only love me; she loves my friends as much as she loves me.”
“I love my grandchildren, but I also love all these kids,” Deb shared. “They just want to be known and seen, and we can do that, and we can do that well.”
Deb’s connection to Worthington Christian began decades ago when she and her husband, Jeff, chose a Christian education for their children, who both attended WC through graduation. Their daughter, Mary (Baker) Taylor (WC ’00), and her husband, fellow WC alumnus David Taylor (WC ’00), now have three children attending WC. And Deb remains actively involved in the school community.
Over the years, she’s volunteered in classrooms, worked athletic concession stands alongside her husband, helped welcome new families, and spent countless lunch periods getting to know students. That involvement has given her opportunities to see firsthand the care teachers and staff provide and the ways faith is woven into everyday moments at WC.
One of those moments happened recently in the Lower School lunchroom.
When a student fell from his chair and bumped his head, a teacher stepped in to care for him. As she attended to the injured student, another little boy stood up and said, “I think we need to pray.” Deb joined the remaining children at their table as they bowed their heads and prayed for their classmate.
For Deb, who regularly encourages students to turn to prayer, it was a meaningful reminder of what she values about Christian education.
“God does hear us, and I want them to know that,” she said. “He loves hearing from His kids.”
Experiences like these are part of why Deb encourages other grandparents to become more involved at WC. She recognizes that not every student has grandparents nearby, and she believes there are opportunities for adults to make a difference simply by being present, offering encouragement, and building relationships.
“There’s power in showing up for others,” she shared.
For Deb, that commitment also extends to supporting the future of Christian education. She believes grandparents have an important role to play, not only in the lives of their own grandchildren, but in helping ensure that future generations have opportunities to grow in their faith.
“Scripture tells us we are to pass down wisdom, wealth, and godly influence to the future generations,” Deb explained. “This can be teaching the Bible in our homes or through generosity or ways we live our own lives.”
Having experienced WC as a parent, grandparent, and volunteer, Deb hopes more grandparents will find their own ways to invest, whether by giving their time, sharing their resources, or building relationships with students and staff.
“People will only invest in the things that they truly believe in,” she said. “As we see our world changing daily, it is becoming vital to financially support Christian education.”
For Deb, the invitation to other grandparents begins with something simple: show up, get involved, and see for yourself why the investment is worthwhile.
Every gift impacts a story. As you consider your year-end giving, we invite you to invest in the students and future of Worthington Christian.
