Volunteer of the Month

Congratulations to Colonel Dunklin and the Chamblee JROTC cadets, our November Volunteers of the Month!

Chamblee High School's Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) is led by Colonel Gloria Dunklin. Colonel Dunklin and her cadets made an incredible impact at the 2025 PNC Atlanta 10 Miler & 5K, with 31 cadets volunteering including Colonel Dunklin and her master Sergeant. The students brought encouragement and service to the course, assisting runners, working hydration stations and cheering participants on. One station alone was operated by seven cadets who made sure each runner felt supported.

A special memory from the day was their 4:30 AM bus ride to the course. As Colonel Dunklin shared,

"It's special to go somewhere as a group and be together. My cadets love being together and helping others. They enjoy cheering on the participants and being able to encourage them. That's what they love the most about volunteering!"

Most of the cadets in the JROTC program go through many competitions of their own, with the 3K typically being their first event. Cheering on the runners meant so much to them because they know firsthand what it feels like to be out there on the course. Although the 2025 PNC Atlanta 10 Miler & 5K is currently the only Atlanta Track Club event the cadets volunteer at, they stay active throughout the community in many ways. They have served at events such as the Big Peach Sizzler to support MS awareness. They also help volunteer at the Skyland Trail 5K to support mental health, Taste of Chamblee and the HYROX Fitness Race. For Veterans Day, the cadets visit retirement homes to present the flag and even help residents with technology on their phones. At St. Jude events, they hand out hot chocolate and assist with hydration stations for participants.

Colonel Dunklin shared that they hope to continue expanding their volunteer footprint in the future, adding, "My principal ran the PNC 10 Miler this year, so it was really special for the cadets to cheer her on."

After serving for 24 years in the U.S. military, Colonel Dunklin transitioned into education and began teaching at Chamblee High School, where she has taught for the past ten years. She always envisioned working with young people, and JROTC aligned perfectly with her passion for leadership, character development, and service. The program is designed to help students grow both personally and socially, focusing on public speaking, teamwork, accountability and building confidence. Students experience four levels of leadership throughout the program, beginning as emerging leaders and developing into managing leaders by their senior year. While many assume JROTC students all pursue the military, Colonel Dunklin emphasizes that the program is about preparing them for life, not just enlistment. For Colonel Dunklin, serving others is at the heart of everything she does.

"Volunteering is rewarding because you're able to give back and help someone else. I truly believe we were born to serve one another," she says. She believes strongly in the power of exposure—giving students opportunities to experience new environments, meet new people and grow through service opportunities.

She added, "Unconditional love is real. I've learned that from my cadets. When you show up sincerely for people, you experience it. You can find unconditional love in serving others." Chamblee High School's JROTC program reflects leadership, compassion and community at its best. We are incredibly grateful for their commitment and service and we look forward to more opportunities for them to serve alongside us. Congratulations to Colonel Dunklin and the Chamblee JROTC cadets, our November Volunteers of the Month!