Volunteering changes lives

Most of us have heard people say something along the lines of “I get more out of it than they do” when talking about the volunteer experience Some will even couch that statement with “I know it sounds cliche, but ” as if others may not believe the genuine feeling they get from their belief

However, it’s a statement that should be celebrated without an ounce of shame, because it highlights the truth about the volunteer experience

When we volunteer, we can find common ground with others we may have perceived as different from ourselves We discover new passions and gifts that can be shared with others We realize that serving someone in need often happens in a positive atmosphere

James Evans Guest

Commentary

Feeling personally fulfilled, refreshed or excited about lending a hand to someone else is more than just gratifying Those feelings are also catalysts that will bring you back for more

If volunteering were a drag or unfulfilling, people wouldn’t have done it amid a pandemic more than 23% of the U.S. population did, according to an AmeriCorps report. The impact made by those 60 7 million Americans helped others better handle or face their circumstances during a difficult time

With DAV (Disabled American Veterans), the charity I represent, service to others is why we exist We’re committed to helping make whole those forever changed by their time in the military A huge part of how we do that is through selfless volunteers who give their most valuable resource: their time

Our volunteers come from all walks of life and backgrounds Some are DAV members; others are friends and supporters of the veteran community All make a difference in veterans’ lives

One thing our volunteers help with is running our nationwide DAV Transportation Network for the Department of Veterans Affairs

Through this program, we provide no-cost rides to veterans who otherwise wouldn’t have access to lifesaving and critical VA medical appointments When COVID-19 hit, we lost many of these drivers as the country effectively shut down But even as things are largely back to normal, many of our Transportation Network vehicles remain idle, waiting for volunteers to get behind the wheel.

Every vehicle that doesn’t move means a veteran isn’t getting a needed ride or paying expensive transportation fees for each necessary trip So if you are willing and able to drive veterans to their appointments, even if you have just a few hours a month, go to driveforveterans org to sign up or get more information

But the DAV Transportation Network is just one opportunity we offer volunteers We have many other ways to be involved, both in VA medical facilities and right in your community You can learn more about those at volunteerforveterans.org.

Volunteering changes lives and not just those on the receiving end If you choose to raise your hand to give your time, I hope you’re able to say you got more out of it than the people you’ve served It’s a wonderful gift you receive in exchange for that most precious resource

John Kleindienst is the national director of voluntary services for DAV and an active volunteer Kleindienst is a U S Marine Corps veteran who served from 1996 until he was medically discharged in 2003 as a result of service-connected injuries Learn more about DAV’s resources for veterans at dav org

Letters To The Editor

Yacht Cub holds central role throughout Cape Coral’s histor y

To the editor:

In December of 2021 it was reported the city would spend $37 million on renovations to the Yacht Club park This work was to exclude the ballroom and some other areas By March 1 of 2022 the number had risen to $42 million A few short weeks later, the council was then considering taking out $60 million in debt to fund the project

None of the reports seem to indicate the discussions included upgrading the actual buildings, but with the absence of a plan to demo them, the takeaway for citizens was always that the ballroom and Rotino Center would remain as part of the vision for the park

Over the past few meetings this year, city staff has presented in very certain terms that the issues befalling the Yacht Club Ballroom are almost entirely from deferred maintenance and neglect, not Ian damage

There is little doubt that the facility is now in sad shape after another 7-plus months of a more acute type of neglect (abandonment) since the storm So I guess a sick form of congratulations may be in order, if one day soon the current City Council succeeds in ceasing to kick the cans down the road on maintaining our most prized public meeting space and historic landmark

Have decisions by past councils and management put this Council in unenviable positions? Of course, it is always that way But it’s up to each individual on how they respond to criticism from the community Some responded to recent public comments with integrity, others, not so much

Since day 1 of Cape Coral, and years prior to incorporation, the Yacht Club ballroom has indisputably played a central role in our city’s lifestyle, branding and identity

Despite pending decisions on the path towards demolishing vs. upgrading the ballroom, any council member willing to oppose the ballroom’s historic recognition demonstrates a gross disregard for our city’s identity and the thousands of citizens and millions of visitors, past and present, who came here to enjoy the friendly, waterfront lifestyle the facility has always represented Jason Pim 40 year resident of District 1 Cape Coral

Please: Facts before speculation

To the editor:

Do you ever notice how some people complain based on speculation or non-factual information? It’s frustrating to see how much time some individuals spend spewing hate or making life difficult for those around them We only have a short time on this earth compared to the hundreds of years our species has been around It’s important to add a positive spin and make life better for the majority Self-hatred contributes nothing If you disagree, that’s OK, but let’s focus on finding solutions to problems instead of continuing to speculate Take the time to find out the facts before jumping to conclusions

Don Apking Cape Coral

Cummings should resign

To the editor:

As the fraudulent candidate claims victory in an election gone by, the descent into criminality of the Republican Party has seemingly metastasized to the local level According to an investigative report, Ms Cummings was not appropriately a resident eligible to run for the District 4 seat Impersonating Trump with rants of “It’s a witch hunt!” demean the integrity of her office, and is disrespectful of the honest candidates that honorably stood for election and the voters themselves

Ms Cummings should remove herself immediately The council should appoint Jennifer Nelson, the duly-elected candidate who was on the ballot legally, and ask that she complete the remainder of the term She “lost” to the carpet bagger by less than 3% points in the election. Even if Ms. Cummings cannot muster a display of integrity, at least Ms Cummings should depart with an effort at decorum

Ellen Starbird Cape Coral See LETTERS, page 6

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Summer learning keeps students’ brains in tip-top shape

Summer vacation is under way for students across Southwest Florida It’s a time for children and teens to unwind for a little breather after nearly 10 months of learning, studying, testing and achieving developmental milestones