Serving Our Kids volunteer supervisor Carolyn Streva knows how it feels to be hungry. Born in the Philippines, Carolyn grew up in poverty and lived with her mother, brother and sister in a modest 10-by-10-foot room with a dirt floor. Food was scarce, and there were days when the family went without eating. Whenever possible, Carolyn would visit a nearby church to ask for food or money.
Every Christmas, her mother would prepare a simple meal of spaghetti with sauce, that brought joy and comfort to her. She remembers vividly, “Even now, the smell of cooking spaghetti makes me feel rich. It reminds me of Christmas.”
Carolyn’s lifelong passion for serving others began at the age of seven, inspired by her mother’s generosity. “She had nothing, but she would give you the shirt off her back,” Carolyn recalls. One year, when the nuns gave her small candy canes, she chose to share them with other neighborhood children in need rather than keeping all of them for herself and her siblings. As a young student, she loved helping others and fundraising, happily selling fruitcakes that few wanted, simply because she enjoyed raising money for a good cause.
While still living in the Philippines, Carolyn was sponsored through the Pearl S. Buck Foundation. “It felt like God was watching over me,” she says. The sponsorship allowed her to attend a private Catholic school, receive dental care, and benefit from much-needed donations. She still treasures a letter from her sponsors, Mr. and Mrs. Mann of the United States, written when she was nine years old. “Their kindness and generosity have stayed with me all my life,” she reflects. “That’s probably why I’ve kept their letter all these years.”
In 1977, Carolyn’s stepfather brought the family to the United States, where they lived in Navy housing. Having access to simple comforts, food on the table and an indoor bathroom left a lasting impression. “Those experiences may be why I never take anything for granted,” she says.
For the past 11 years, Carolyn has been a dedicated volunteer with the Serving Our Kids Foundation. For the last four years, she has served as a Weekend Meal Bagging Supervisor every other Tuesday. She keeps the food bins stocked, maintains a positive atmosphere with music, and ensures the process runs smoothly for all volunteers. Carolyn also trains new volunteers, assists with fundraising events, and continually spreads the word about supporting Serving Our Kids through volunteering and donations.
Outside of her volunteer work, Carolyn is a Realtor with 23 years of experience in the Las Vegas/Henderson area and currently serves as Chair of the Las Vegas REALTORS® Community Outreach Committee. She recommended Serving Our Kids as one of two charities to receive committee support in 2025.
Committee members participate in monthly meal-bagging sessions, and when volunteers bring their children, Carolyn takes the opportunity to teach them how these meals help kids who may not have enough to eat, instilling in them the importance of compassion and service. The LVR Community Outreach Committee has also organized fundraising events, including bowling and golf tournaments, to support the foundation.
Through all of her experiences, Carolyn has remained an optimist. “I never let being poor or hungry define who I am, and I never thought of myself as a victim,” she says. “I can’t give just one reason why I love volunteering. For me, it’s the feeling of giving back. When you make a positive impact on a child’s life, they grow up differently. That’s what keeps me going.”
