Making a Difference by Volunteering, Part Two

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By Michael Copeland, Discovery Counseling Center

A continuation from our June 2019 issue article of the same name:

Meals on Wheels provides a network of services that allow seniors to live in their home with dignity and independence and another local volunteer opportunity within the community. Danville resident and Meals on Wheels Volunteer Cathy Tisa says, “I get a sense of real purpose working with seniors who are on a tight budget, have limited mobility and truly appreciate kindness and conversation.” For more information: www.mowsf.org.

“The only ones among us who will be truly happy are those who have sought and found how to serve”, Albert Schweitzer

Last fall, the Danville based San Ramon Valley Thunderbirds varsity football team worked a shift at the Kids Against Hunger facility. Kids Against Hunger is an all-volunteer organization focused on feeding families around the world and around the corner The players and coaches worked filling bags with a fortified soy/ rice casserole style meal specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of starving children. Head Coach Sean Gann thought this would be an eye opening teamwork experience for his young team made of primarily 8th grade boys from the greater Danville area. Most walked away with a stronger sense of appreciation after hearing how their two hour shift would benefit so many families with kids their age. For more information contact www.kahbayarea.org.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill

A wonderful outdoor activity can be found with The East Bay Regional Parks District, which runs a volunteer trail maintenance program each year that extends from April through November and includes approximately eight separate projects throughout the East Bay. The volunteers typically work from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm on a scenic East Bay park, such as the Las Trampas Regional Wilderness Park in Danville, creating new hiking paths, eliminating brush and debris or eliminating an old trail that had become obsolete and troublesome. Danville resident, Justin Grilli says, “It’s a great way to help our environment and set a good example for our kids.” Check out their website at www.ebparks.org.

Volunteering in our community is some one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences we can share. You typically meet a variety of people performing the duties at hand for a menagerie of fulfilling reasons. People often walk away with a renewed sense of appreciation, empathy and compassion. I encourage everyone to give some form of volunteering a try because the lives it changes might start with your own.