In 40 years of teaching at parochial, private and public schools, GGS member Linda Brown had handled drills for fires and tornados. This, however, was new: an active shooter drill.
“It 
makes me tremble to think about even now,” Linda said, remembering that spring day four years ago, rushing her students across an open field to ‘safety’ at a nearby church. “With shootings happening almost every day, sometimes it seems hopeless, but that’s why I’ve stayed with GGS all these years because I do believe we can make a difference.”
It was 10 years ago that Pat Russell, a close friend and fellow member at Saint Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, invited Linda to a GGS program. “Pat said I’d appreciate what the group was trying to do,“ Linda recalled. “And she was right, because I’ve been educating, advocating and participating (the three bywords of GGS) my entire life.”
Linda and her husband Ray, also an active GGS member, grew up in Kansas City, KS. Theirs was a neighborhood filled with childhood pals who became lifelong friends, including GGS members and fellow teachers Jim and Patti Regan and Dr. Tom Russell, who soon brought Pat into their circle. (The GGS Volunteer of the Quarter is named in Pat’s memory.)
Linda has lent her enthusiasm and creativity to many GGS projects. With her encouragement, several Saint Andrew members created panels for Vision Quilt. The Browns staff Lock It For Love events and volunteer at the annual Community Forums. “We’ve got to keep working and searching for answers so we can all feel safe,” she said.
Outside GGS, the Browns enjoy traveling, hiking and bike riding. They have two sons, one in Lawrence and one in Phoenix, AZ, plus nine grandchildren.