We wish you a very happy and healthy New Year! This past year has been a very successful year for our Burbank Volunteer Program. We can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store for us. Every year the dedication and devotion our volunteers show never ceases to amaze us. With each new year, we here at BVP strive to make the program better for all of you, and give you all a volunteering program that gives you as much benefit as you give to us. So once again we thank you for sticking by us through another year! On the bottom right on this page you’ll see some statistics about volunteering, that way you not only have us telling you how amazing you are, but you also have the numbers to see how much of an impact you truly make. With this new year, we plan to carry on with DIG, but we’re also bringing in some more Plant for a Greener Burbank events so make sure to stay up to date with us to get more information for the event.
With a multitude of active volunteer stations, we have something for everyone! Students may need to fulfill hours for a school requirement or they may explore volunteering as a fulfilling experience. Adults and retirees may choose to continue to use their skills and experience to help others. A positive by-product of volunteering is making new friends!
With sincere gratitude, we thank you, our many volunteers, for your continued service and your ongoing contribution to build a strong and vibrant community. The Burbank Volunteer Program has grown so much with countless volunteer projects as well as special events over the years. You are the ones who share your time, talents, skills and experience for those in need. You are the ones who make a difference in the City of Burbank. We could not do this without you.
To find out more about the Burbank Volunteer Program, please contact us via email: bvp@burbankca.gov. You can also contact us by phone at 818-238-5370 or simply drop by our office, which is located at the Joslyn Adult Center, for more information.
The Burbank Volunteer Team, Derrick and Camryn
In the US, 15% of people support hunger & homelessness causes - the next leading cause for volunteers is health and wellness, with 13% of
Volunteer time in the States is currently valued at $28.54 per hour - it’s estimated that volunteers contribute nearly $200 billion in value to US
Around 30.3% of Americans volunteer - moreover 35.97% of the time spent volunteering is dedicated to fundraising.
70% of volunteer work is done informally - one of the major global volunteering trends is that most volunteer work is driven by people’s involvement in religious, social or political groups.
DIG BURBANK!
Lend a hand and help keep our local parks beautiful! To learn more about DIG, tips on signing up, and upcoming DIG Days, visit our website: www.burbankca.gov/digburbank
PHONE PALS
Phone Pals allows volunteers to build a friendship with willing seniors. This program pairs volunteers with seniors to give each other companionship, as well as a social release from the comforts of your own home.
S.W.A.T.
Are you (S)omeone (W)ith (A)vailable (T)ime who wants to volunteer here and there? If so, our S.W.A.T program will be a great t for a busy schedule with ample free time!
PROJECT H.O.P.E.
Project H.O.P.E. partners volunteers with seniors who are in need of assistance ranging from grocery shopping, to picking up prescriptions and more. Each volunteer builds a trustworthy relationship with their senior, allowing them more errands to run.
Active Stations
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop | Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center | S.W.A.T | Education Through Music LA | Boys & Girls Club | American Red Cross | Operation Gratitude | Burbank Temporary Aid Center | Joslyn Adult Center | City of Burbank Animal Shelter (VBAS)| City of Burbank Police Department | City of Burbank Library Services | Tuttle Senior Center| City of Burbank Nutrition (Joslyn, HDM, Tuttle) | Burbank Airport | BVP Mailroom | YMCA | City of Burbank Library Services *Coming soon - Mary Stoica Cafe and Senior Trips*
For more information on these opportunities and others, contact the Burbank Volunteer Program: bvp@burbankca.gov h (818) 238-5370
FEATURED STATIONS FEATURED STATIONS
The Burbank Public Library has been serving patrons since the early 1900s, starting off as part of the Los Angeles County Library then becoming a municipal library in 1938. The libraries focus on serving and resourcing their community. Their mission statement reads: To connect the community to opportunities for growth, inspiration, and discovery.
• Adult Literacy Program: Volunteers take on roles who help tutor patrons learning English as a second language
• Little Free Libraries: Volunteers go around Burbank collecting and restocking the Little Free Libraries on lawns
• Creative Kids Program: Arts, crafts, STEM, and other creative expressions that allow kids to discover new interests
• Friends of the Library Bookstore: Volunteers sell items generously donated to the libraries
Providence Medical Center and The Disney Family Cancer Center combined, have approximately 225 active volunteers, with about 55% of those volunteers under the age of 18. Our adults and retirees round out that population, and they handle most of our Customer Service areas, while the students can be found on the nursing floor themselves helping the staff.
Some opportunities you can do at Providence include:
• Nursing floor volunteers
- Help turn over rooms
- Keep operations moving
- Stocking carts
- Escorting discharged patients
• Customer Service
- Working in outpatient areas
- Escorting to different areas
- Helping visitors find their way at the Information Desk
Home Delivered Meals (HDM) is a program whose sole purposes is to provide nutritional assistance to participants by delivering a well-balanced meal right to their home. Their program is available to Burbank residents who are age 60 + and who are homebound by reason of illness, disability, or isolation. Participants are not required to pay for meals, however a $2 per meal voluntary contribution is suggested. As a HDM volunteer, your responsibilities will be as such:
• Driving a pre-determined route
• Loading meals in vehicles
• Packing and delivering meals to various patrons
Burbank Animal Shelter (VBAS) is a volunteer based organization that works toward caring and housing stray cats, dogs and other animals. In order to volunteer at the Burbank Animal Shelter, there are a few requirements. Due to the various shifts that are offered, a station orientation and shadowing are to be completed before you are able to volunteer and you must be 18 years or older. The possible shifts you are able to do are listed below:
• Clean and care of animals and cages
• Socializing animals
• Assisting adoptions
• Hike Program
• Programs and events (i.e. National Night Out)
Please Note: Volunteer jobs work in steps; you will need to work your way up to do more adventurous activities.
For information regarding orientations and more requirements please visit: thevbas.org/volunteer/adult-volunteering/
BVP PUZZLE BVP PUZZLE
ACROSS:
2. March is the start of the _____ season
3. A green 4-leaf ____ is said to be good luck once found
5. Famouns springtime flower
6. February’s zodiac sign
10. February’s famous football event
11. The start of spring is known as the autumnal ______
12. These bursts of light are typically set off to welcome in the New Year
13. This is the most common New Year’s Resolution
15. March Madness sport
17. You tend to see this symbol around Valentine’s Day
DOWN:
1. February’s flower
3. This is often given as a gift on Valetntine’s Day
4. March 17th calls for everyone to wear this color otherwise you’ll get pinched
7. January’s zodiac sign
8. February 17th is when we honor all U.S. ________
9. January’s birthstone
14. People tend to ring in the New Year by hosting a New Years’ Eve ______
16. When February has 30 days instead of 29, it is known as a _____ year
Volunteer Highlights Volunteer Highlights
Jane Harrison
For 15 years, Jane has volunteered for the Friends of the Burbank Library book sales and sorting donations. She believes volunteering is important, and since the 1990’s, Jane has made contributions to humanity, including attending various peace marches for human rights. She has had her own Earth Day picking up trash on the shore at Lake Michigan, and has worked at the Village Library book sales in her home State of Michigan. Jane taught the Village Library how to catch the International Space Station coming across Lake Michigan to which she pointed out to the locals. She started volunteering for various organizations in the early 2000’s, working with dogs and cats at “Pet Orphans of Southern California” in Van Nuys, Operation Gratitude, various food banks, food collections, and assembling food packages.
Volunteer Highlights Volunteer Highlights
Harry Verni
Harry Verni has been a BVP volunteer for nine years now, coming to the Joslyn Adult Center after a lengthy career in fitness, health, and wellness. Harry started his career in health and wellness education with the Downey YMCA and later transitioned into managing a number of wellness sites for a major, world-wide aerospace company. Finally, Harry partnered with Regal Lakeside Medical Group to deliver health and wellness education to clients in the Glendale community. Presently, Harry is the lead instructor for several recreation activities on Thursdays at the JAC, including Strength & Balance, Sho Chi, and Chair Volleyball. He has also added a “stretching” program as well which helps members increase their range of motion, improve their flexibility and balance, while reducing their risks for falls. Participants in Harry’s classes enjoy the social atmosphere and appreciate the way Harry “educates” them on proper fitness and wellness, which keeps them energized and lively. Harry has said for a long time that “Thursdays at JAC are my favorite, and I look forward to seeing everyone in my class every week!” Harry provides an invaluable service to the Joslyn Adult Center and we appreciate his presence and contributions as a BVP volunteer. Thank you, Harry!
PUZZLE ANSWERS PUZZLE ANSWERS
ACROSS:
2. March is the start of the _____ season
3. A green 4-leaf ____ is said to be good luck once found
5. Famouns springtime flower
6. February’s zodiac sign
10. February’s famous football event
11. The start of spring is known as the autumnal ______
12. These bursts of light are typically set off to welcome in the New Year
13. This is the most common New Year’s Resolution
15. March Madness sport
17. You tend to see this symbol around Valentine’s Day
DOWN:
1. February’s flower
3. This is often given as a gift on Valetntine’s Day
4. March 17th calls for everyone to wear this color otherwise you’ll get pinched
7. January’s zodiac sign
8. February 17th is when we honor all U.S. ________
9. January’s birthstone
14. People tend to ring in the New Year by hosting a New Years’ Eve ______
16. When February has 30 days instead of 29, it is known as a _____ year
