By Neena Strichart, Publisher
Volunteerism seems to be nearly instinctual for some individuals. Many kids start helping out elderly neighbors or getting involved with church groups to fill that urge to aid others. As a young teen I volunteered at a nursing home with friends from school. We would read to the patients or help feed them when the nurses were busy. I loved being of service.
Many folks I know are members of organizations that give money or hours of service to the needy. There are groups that help small children, the handicapped, stray animals, the homeless, the sick or any combination thereof. My husband Steve enjoys his affiliation with the Elks Club #888. He also gives his time to Greyhound Pets of America. I am a member of the Susan B. Anthony Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as other groups and organizations. We also love helping out the city of Signal Hill at the Halloween Carnival and Steve gets a kick out of helping with Breakfast with Santa. All of the things listed above have two things in common–charity and the need for volunteers.
Nate Brightman, a Signal Tribune reader who turned 90 years old on Tuesday, recently told me how much he enjoys his 50-year association with the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach and his 32 years of volunteering with the Red Cross. “You get a lot of pleasure out of it,” said Nate. “People are so grateful; do you know of anything better than a person’s face after you’ve helped them?”
For those of you who have time on your hands and would like to give of yourself–but don’t know where to start–consider attending the fourth annual Volunteer Village, today, Thursday, Oct. 11 at the Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 East Willow Street in Long Beach from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is free to anyone regardless of ago who is interested in volunteer work. This year’s theme is “Imagine the Difference Even an Hour Can Make.”
More than three dozen service providers from the Greater Long Beach Community will have representatives available to visit with interested volunteers about their organizations and will explain the type of support they are looking for. This is an excellent opportunity to match your talents and skills to the needs of various groups and organizations. Among those participating are Retirees and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), American Red Cross, and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Volunteer Village is being presented by the Greater Long Beach Directors of Volunteers (GLBDOV), a group convened by the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership.
For general information, contact Susan Frisk at (562) 290-0018.
