DECEMBER 2019
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Coffee Moments Recognizing Good People
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Philanthropy —when one hears the word Philanthropy most people often think it refers to the large amounts of money the wealthy donate to causes such as world hunger or organizations like museums or animal shelters, but Philanthropy also refers to the desire to help people, the actual deeds a person does to benefit mankind. This month let me share with you a story about philanthropist Temecula Police Department Volunteers who are residents of Temecula. There are approximately 30 volunteers in the Temecula Police Department. The following comments are from 7 of them. Also comments about the Volunteers by Lieutenant Bruce W. Smith from the Riverside Sheriff’s Department Southwest Station Temecula Police Department.
Q How did you arrive at your philanthropic priorities? Darren Jump: I have served the public for my entire adult life. In 2002, I retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after twenty years on active duty in the United Sates Marne Corps. At that time, I served as the Staff Judge. Bruce Brunn: After being retired for over a year I had done most of the chores I had planned for retirement, and I missed my previous work in intelligence.
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have the skill sets to work in potentially dangerous situations. When Deputy Chief Aveling picked me to do the Terrorism Liaison work in 2014, it was a good fit for my skill sets and the needs of the Sheriff. I joined the TCC CERT program and the Blue and Gold officers for the same reason Greg Eastwood: My son is a Deputy Sheriff for RSO and it gave me the opportunity to spend time and work with him at the Temecula station. Paymann Sedighian: I chose to volunteer because most people would not want to get involved with the Sheriff’s Department. It’s the hardest and most challenging thing one can do. Rich Cattivera: While serving on Jury Duty, I saw information on volunteering with the Temecula Police Department and thought that this would be a challenging and rewarding volunteer program. Ed Rushing: I have a degree in criminal justice. I wanted to be a Police Officer as a profession. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. So, 10 years ago I choose to become a Sheriff Department volunteer to get a chance to use those skills learned and give back to the community. It has been very rewarding.
Greg Eastwood: I have always been committed to serving, from my 7 years in the Marine Corps, to volunteering my time coaching sports and giving back to my community.
Jill Martin: I was a volunteer with the Sheriff’s Department in San Clemente for 13 years. I wanted to pay back the City for all the kindnesses they showed my mom. prior to her passing. She loved to call 9-1-1 and the Sheriff or Fire responders would always have a smile and were so polite and respectful every time they came to the house.
Paymann Sedighian: I believe that helping others is at the forefront of one’s life.
Q How long have you been volunteering, what do you specifically do and how many hours do you volunteer?
Rich Cattivera: To help make a difference for others in the community and at the same time give me a sense of purpose knowing that I will be doing something that matters. Ed Rushing: I choose the Temecula Police Department because I live in the area. Jill Martin: I went with my heart and family history.
How did you decide on the Temecula Police Department? Darren Jump: I attended a community meeting with the Temecula Police Department Community Action Patrol volunteers, and I immediately became interested in the program. I was also once certified to teach in any school district in Ohio (grades 7-12). So, as an educator and one familiar with criminal justice issues, I saw service with the Community Action Patrol as opportunity to continue serving the public based on my strengths. Bruce Brunn: While volunteering appealed to me, I also wanted to use my specific skill sets. Most people can work in a soup kitchen, but only a few
Darren Jump: Approximately 25 hours per month. I work full time, so most of my service is on weekends, holidays, and days off from work. I typically support special events, logistics, and emergency callouts. Bruce Brunn: Unlike a regular job, I can pick the time and place where I volunteer. If my family does not have anything planned, I often work up to 80 hours a month. If there are family plans, I cut those hours down as needed. Greg Eastwood: I have been volunteering for 9 years and average around 70 hours a month. Payman Sedighian: I have been volunteering for 5 years for Temecula Police Department, 3 years for California Highway Patrol and average 60 hours a month. Ed Rushing: I volunteer approximately 20 hours a month. Jill Martin: I’m still training so I don’t have a set schedule yet. I’ll be assisting the Volunteer Coordinator two days a week with maybe 4 hours a day. During my time in San Clemente, I volunteered 4,000 hours/year.
DECEMBER 2019
Q Have there been moments or experiences that have affected you emotionally where you said, “This is too much to handle”? Darren Jump: While balancing work and volunteer service remains a challenge, it is not too much to handle. This is because I am blessed with an understanding family, collaborative and dedicated professionals, within the Temecula Volunteer office and I serve in trust with the approval of the Counsel for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. Bruce Brunn: Yes; if you find a good fit with an organization, they often want more hours than your family wants you to do. This year I had to cut back on the Blue and Gold work due to the increase in the Sheriff workload. I also limit my TCC CERT activities to those linked to my RSO Crime Prevention, TLO, and Neighborhood Watch duties.
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Ed Rushing: I volunteer approximately 20 hours a month. Jill Martin: I’m still training so I don’t have a set schedule yet. I’ll be assisting the Volunteer Coordinator two days a week with maybe 4 hours a day. During my time in San Clemente, I volunteered 4,000 hours/year.
Comments about the volunteers from Lieutenant Bruce W. Smith from the Riverside Sheriff’s Department Southwest Station Temecula Police Department • I’m in awe and a better person being around them. They are so willing to commit their service. • I think of the volunteers as family. They are all in the same group as the deputies.
Greg Eastwood: No, being a combat veteran in Vietnam, I’ve seen a lot. Also, my faith keeps me strong emotionally.
• This city is better off with having them in the community.
Payman Sedighian: Not at all!
• The volunteers bring work and life experience that benefits the department.
Rich Cattivera: No, I am enjoying every aspect the program has to offer. It is rewarding knowing others can count on us. Ed Rushing: No, I have always been able to process the situation and compartmentalize it. I enjoy being able to help people. Jill Martin: No, the nice part of volunteering is that you are a VOLUNTEER. You should be able to slow down or pick up the amount of work you can handle so you do a good job while still enjoying it.
Q What advise would you give someone who is thinking of volunteering and they are not sure where to start or what to do? Darren Jump: Talk to you family and if you’re employed, talk with your supervisor. Then if they are accepting of your intent to serve, talk with a volunteer coordinator to identify any service requirements, like background checks and mandatory training. Bruce Brunn: If you like to “give back. Think about the specific skills that you have developed over your lifetime and match it with a charitable organization. Greg Eastwood: I would tell them to give it try, there are many aspects of what we do as a volunteer and you can carve your niche based on what you believe best serve the organization and the community. Payman Sedighian: Service to Humanity is Service to God. Rich Cattivera: Find an Organization that perhaps has impacted your life directly or indirectly where you would like to donate your time and maybe make a difference. Ed Rushing: It takes a certain individual to do this type of volunteer work. If interested contact your local police or Sheriff’s Department. Jill Martin: If you have friends that volunteer, pick their brain. Do something you like. Or, try something new. As long as you enjoy doing whatever it is. Remember you are not getting paid – so you need to be somewhere that you enjoy! Do it! It is so rewarding I LOVE WHAT I DO!
Q How long have you been volunteering, what do you specifically do and how many hours do you volunteer? Darren Jump: Approximately 25 hours per month. I work full time, so most of my service is on weekends, holidays, and days off from work. I typically support special events, logistics, and emergency callouts. Bruce Brunn: Unlike a regular job, I can pick the time and place where I volunteer. If my family does not have anything planned, I often work up to 80 hours a month. If there are family plans, I cut those hours down as needed. Greg Eastwood: I have been volunteering for 9 years and average around 70 hours a month. Payman Sedighian: I have been volunteering for 5 years for Temecula Police Department, 3 years for California Highway Patrol and average 60 hours a month.
• They are the most robust and personally group of people I have met. I feel privileged to be associated with them. They make life better for the people in the community. • The service the volunteers provide is a massive cost savings to the department. I can’t put a dollar amount on it, but we could not afford to pay them for all the experience and service they provide. • I am very proud and love them!” If you are interested in volunteering for the Temecula Police Department, Contact: Tony Merlo at tmerlo@riversidesheriff.org or (951) 696-3483. If you know of someone who should be recognized contact me at coffee4compassion@gmail.com or at (951) 541-3569.