Judy and Ted Leyden serve tirelessly as the communications and school liaison administrators for the Kids in Need Resource Center. They began helping out with the program shortly after it launched in September 1999 with 18 schools and have helped the program mushroom to 82 schools in 2002.  The Boeing Bluebills named Judy and Ted Leyden their Volunteers of the Year in 2001.

They are the primary link between the Bluebills and World Vision and the SHOPA Foundation in efforts to keep the shelves stocked and to coordinate participation of eligible schools.  They schedule visits by teachers in participating schools, establish ground rules and procedures for distribution of supplies, as well as oversee a volunteer staff comprised of a nucleus of 40 Bluebills who regularly work at the warehouse.  They developed a special incentive program for teachers and students encouraging them to write thank you letters to the businesses who donate supplies.  This appreciation has helped to increase donations.  Judy was instrumental in the development of a video about KIN, produced by students from Mt. Tahoma High School.

Each year the Leydens devote thousands of hours to KIN, and put untold miles on their car traveling from their home in Tacoma to the warehouse.

"This couple is invaluable," declares World Vision's KIN Manager, Jim Peterson.  "They have made this program successful."

The Leydens met when they joined the Bluebills.  Their first joint endeavor was establishment of the Heritage Solitaires, a social activities club for single Bluebills.

August 2002 -- The Kids in Need Resource Center coalition has been named the year's outstanding community partnership by Seattle's Corporate Volunteer Council .  The coalition, between Bluebills, Boeing, School, Home and Office Products Association (SHOPA) and World Vision, distributes free school supplies to disadvantaged children in western Washington.  The Corporate Volunteers Council is a group of  Seattle's largest businesses who sponsor and promote employee volunteerism within the community.