Dr. Linda Sacks, a Park Place Outreach Youth Emergency Shelter volunteer, has been awarded the Helping Hands Volunteer Award at the National Safe Place Network conference.

This national award is given to an individual who demonstrates extraordinary volunteerism through his or her involvement with an organization dedicated to youth services.

Sacks began volunteering with Park Place Outreach in March 2016 when she started “From Farm to Table,” a weekly cooking program for the shelter’s residents. Each Wednesday children help plan the menu, prepare the dinner and set the table. Community leaders are invited to join them for the meal.

“Dr. Sacks’ passions for children and for cooking have made this program a tremendous success,” said Julie Wade, executive director of Park Place Outreach. “With her in the kitchen, the kids look forward to Wednesday night every week.”

Sacks is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a medical degree from Columbia University. Since moving to Savannah in 1983, Sacks has practiced clinical neonatology, served in leadership positions at Memorial University Medical Center and held faculty positions at Mercer University School of Medicine and the Medical College of Georgia.

Sacks serves on the goard of the Jewish Federation and as chair of the Women’s Campaign for Federation. She also has been president of her synagogue, Agudath Achim.