Meet Linda Lovin

To get to know Linda Lovin, you have to take a unique approach.

Although she has an incredibly impressive resume that includes working as a special agent of the FBI, an investigator with the Indiana Fraud Unit, a deputy prosecuting attorney, a Child Advocacy Center director, a teacher, an entrepreneur (founding Lovin Books and Music – now HearthFire Books and Treats), a gifts manager for Mt. Evans Home Health Care and Hospice and currently a security/fraud auditor, her past accomplishments are not what she wants to discuss. Although she can be proud of the impactful work she has accomplished, it is where she finds herself now that is most important to her – and that is here, in Evergreen.

“Evergreen is a unique place,” she said with her warm smile. “People choose to live here. This is a place to raise a family of choice; we have fabulous schools, there are over 120 authors in our community, over 120 non-profit organizations. People live here and enjoy giving back.”

While a teacher at Evergreen High School, she advised new teachers what they were likely to experience at Back to School night. “They would say, ‘Oh, I’ve taught for years; I know what to expect.” And I would say, ‘It’s different here. You’ll have parents wanting to support you any way they can.’”

Linda has been rewarded through her own volunteerism in a surprising way. “Having come from the professional world, now I get to learn different styles of how people get things done for our community.” She believes that many people who hesitate to get involved do so out of uncertainty. Her understanding may give solace to those hesitant souls, “When people first get involved, they don’t know what they want to do, but they try and they’re allowed to learn. It’s welcoming to go in and say ‘I’m here to help. I’ll learn.’ People are always willing to give you the time to grow.”

Through her experiences from volunteering Linda stated that “This community has given us the opportunity to learn intellectually, emotionally and spiritually – with all the beauty that surrounds us.”

In each of her volunteer roles, Linda has been rewarded. She served as Board Member, secretary and singer for the Evergreen Chorale. “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t feel better when they have music in their life. It touches your soul. Whether you sing or just enjoy listening to others, there is something primal about music.” Music has been a part of her life since she was a child. “I only had two years of piano lessons, but Daddy was a preacher so I was the pianist and song director,” she laughed. As Job Coach for Evergreen Christian Outreach she said, “I love what they’re doing at the job center. They teach resume writing, computer skills, interview skills so that clients can have a sustainable job.” At Mt. Evans Hospice and Health Care she has seen compassion and understanding that benefit anyone with need. She shook her head, surrendering to everything she has seen done there and simply said, “I can’t say enough.”

Linda thrives in Evergreen Rotary, having served as Board member, Program Committee Chair, and is President-Elect 2016/17. She is on the Board for Center for the Arts Evergreen even though she “doesn’t really know anything about how the art world works – but I love it and I know how much it adds to our community,” so she’s willing to step up and help.

Linda describes this time in her life as “this season of my life.” Although she loves and is dedicated to all of her volunteer positions, the upcoming Rocky Mountain Literary Festival, (to be held this October 18 at Mt. Vernon Country Club) is undoubtedly currently her ‘favorite child.’ As Chairperson, Linda has been consumed with making this literary event a complete success and one to become a part of our community for years to come. “It will be celebrating literature as an art.” She paused and then added, “If you ask someone, ‘Are you into books or music,’ you’ll get something in response.”

She shrugged, smiled and said, “I so appreciate this community that is so giving; we take care of each other.” And with a final satisfying sigh Linda offered her bottom line: “I love Evergreen.”