As the year comes to a close, we here at BVP hope it’s been a good one, and as we enter our Fall season, hope the weather cools down too. Everyday we receive a high number of people wanting to volunteer, and it is truly a phenomenal sight to see. In our October newsletter last year, we had a bar graph depicting the top five states’ valuations of volunteer hours. We decided to keep this tradition, so we have included the state’s valuations of volunteer hours from 2021-2023. If you view the graph to the right, you will see that volunteerism in California continues to have one of the HIGHEST valuations in the USA. Great job Golden State volunteers!
The Burbank Volunteer Program partnered with the Verdugo Aquatic Facility and the senior centers to bring about our annual Rock-a-Hula event for those 55 and older. This event features games, raffles, music, food and of course hula! This event couldn’t have been as big of a success if it wasn’t for our donors, our staff members and of course our volunteers. Thank you to all who aided us in making a end of summer bash for our senior population!
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!
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.
With sincere gratitude, we thank you, our many volunteers, for your continued service and your ongoing contribution to building 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.
The Burbank Volunteer Team, Derrick, Camryn and Jackie
Valuations of Volunteer Hours
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) | BVP Mailroom | YMCA | Sewing, Knitting and Crocheting Group
For more information on these opportunities and others, contact the Burbank Volunteer Program: bvp@burbankca.gov h (818) 238-5370
FEATURED STATIONS FEATURED STATIONS
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
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.
Opportunities for volunteers include:
• Customer Service
• Working in outpatient areas
• Escorting to different areas
• Helping visitors find their way at the Information Desk
• Working in our gift shop
• Nursing floor volunteers
• Help turn over rooms
• Keep operations moving
• Stocking carts
• Escorting discharged patients
We are always looking for great folks with a heart for volunteering and caring for our patients and staff. You can check out the PSJMC website for more details and our application if you’re interested.
FEATURED STATIONS FEATURED STATIONS
Youth Sports is a BVP station that plays a vital role in enhancing the youth sports experience by utilizing dedicated volunteer coaches for recreational leagues. These volunteers often step up to fill coaching gaps, ensuring that every player has the guidance and support they need to thrive. In addition to coaching, volunteers assist with various youth special events, such as Civitan & Jamboree, the Burbank Walk of Fame, and other engaging activities, collaborating closely with staff to ensure smooth operations.
Opportunities within sports allow the community to:
• Make meaningful impacts
• Promote teamwork
• Coaching
• Working special events
Joslyn Adult Center is a senior center for those 55 and over. We are open 7 days a week and are eager to help our seniors. The center offers weekly programming, including exercise classes, legal appointments, lectures, dances, and many more. Our senior citizens visit our center to enjoy puzzles, board games, or a game of pool in our pool area. With our diverse programming, we seek energetic, sociable, and responsible volunteers.
Possible duties include the following:
• Checking in participants
• Answering phone calls
• Labeling inventory
• Renewing memberships
• Assisting the front desk staff
• Instructing classes
BVP PUZZLE BVP PUZZLE
Find the 12 hidden images below (there are two of each symbol)
Volunteers in Action Volunteers in Action
Shirley Vega - Joslyn Bingo
Shirley has been a member of the Joslyn Adult Center and a volunteer with the Burbank Volunteer Program for nine years. She has a rich and diverse career history, calling herself “Jack of All Trades” but she has always found time to volunteer. In the past, Shirley was recognized and awarded for her time at the Morro Bay Natural Museum where she volunteered in the Membership Department. Shirley currently volunteers at the Bingo games at the Joslyn Adult Center on Thursdays. Her organizational skills come into play while she meticulously sets up the gift table. She is quoted as saying “Presentation is everything.” Her other Bingo duties include distributing and collecting game sheets. She truly enjoys her time at Bingo as she interacts with seniors, plays Bingo herself, and has even been a “caller”. Shirley has brightened the lives of many as she gives back to the community. It is truly an honor to have her as a BVP volunteer!
Mari Deetz - Discovery Shop Burbank
Mari Deetz has been a BVP volunteer for two years. Currently, she volunteers at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop in Burbank. Her duties there include checking and sorting donations, working at the front desk as cashier, and helping with the store display. The Discovery Shop is like a “second family” to Mari, where volunteers of all ages work hard together and care for each other, knowing that a huge percentage of the proceeds will go to cancer research. Mari is also volunteering at the Joslyn Adult Center for the Sunday Matinee Dances where she meets and greets patrons or serves as the door monitor. At the dances, she enjoys interacting with seniors and they, in turn, enjoy her warm personality and smile. Mari has also volunteered in the BVP DIG program, helping clean up and beautify the various Burbank parks.
Megan Foley - Joslyn Front Desk
Megan Foley has been a BVP Volunteer since June 23, 2023. She currently offers her time at the Joslyn Adult Center front desk where she checks in patrons for various activities and classes, helps prospective members with memberships or current members with membership renewals. Megan has also offered her time in the Burbank Volunteer Program office with clerical work as well as mailing projects. Operation Gratitude was also one of Megan’s volunteering experiences where she made lanyards and stuffed care packages. Megan has also volunteered outside of BVP at her church where she helped with shut-ins, food banks and clothing banks when certain locations suffered hurricane damage. An avid animal lover, Megan started volunteering at an animal rescue with her daughter to help with Weimaraner dog adoption. Megan has also tutored children in math, and as a college student, she volunteered her time tutoring other college students in computer science. Megan has certainly brightened the live of many, it is an honor to have her as a BVP volunteer.
