by KIM HILSENBECK
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?”
According to data from two supplements of the Current Population Survey (CPS), the Volunteer Supplement and the Civic Supplement, about 25 percent of Texans donate their time and talent volunteering for nonprofit organizations. That is slightly below the national level of 26.8 percent.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is this Jan. 21. Organizers say MLK Day is a chance to start off the year right by making an impact in your community.
For those who want to give their time and talents to a local nonprofit but haven’t taken the initiative yet, get inspired by reading the spotlight stories on volunteers who are making their own impact.
Jennifer Carson – Hope & Love 4 Kids
What started as an assignment for a college course has evolved into a regular volunteer position for Jennifer Carson, 23, of San Marcos.
This native Texan began volunteering for Hope & Love 4 Kids – an organization that helps local children in need – in September 2011. She used her mass communication education to help design and write a newsletter for the nonprofit. Carson started an internship with Hope & Love 4 Kids a month later.
A short time later, Carson received a Volunteer of the Year Award at the group’s annual fundraising gala in February 2012.
Carson recently joined the Board of Directors of Hope & Love 4 Kids where her volunteerism continues.
She said her favorite part of all the hard work that goes into the organization are the distribution days for each of its three annual programs.
“The gratitude and appreciation from our clients and other families and children Hope & Love 4 Kids has the privilege of helping is tremendously rewarding,” Carson said. “They are so thankful and happy for the work we have done and how we are able to help them.”
Though she receives no compensation for her time, Carson said she is fine with that.
“Knowing my time and effort has helped others is the only payment my heart needs,” she said.
Michole Brown volunteers her time at the Boys & Girls Clubs
of South Central Texas to help bring a consistent figure into the lives of the children in the program.
This Texas State University student got involved with the organization through the university’s Club Blue, a program designed to inspire students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Michole Brown – Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Texas
Soon after starting as a freshman at Texas State University in August, Michole Brown signed up to volunteer for Club Blue, a program at the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Central Texas in San Marcos.
Brown, 18, was a preschool teacher at her Houston area high school.
“I love kids,” she said. “I loved teaching preschool. I wanted to do something (while at college) where I could interact with kids, and my roommate brought Club Blue to my attention.”
Club Blue is an organization within Texas State that inspires students from disadvantaged backgrounds, helping them reach their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens.
With plans to be a teacher after graduation, Brown spends two to three days a week volunteering for Club Blue.
She said what she enjoys most about the experience is being around kids and making their day. Being a consistent figure in their lives – which some of the children may not have at home – makes Brown feel she is making an impact on them.
“It’s good for the kids to have someone consistent in their lives,” she said.
While she’s volunteering, Brown plays with students during recess, colors with them, plays ping pong, eats lunch with them and comes to all the activities.
One of her fondest memories was a day when Club Blue leaders were handing out awards to the children.
“I was able to be there for it,” Brown said. “I felt like a mother or part of their families. I was really excited.”
Brown saw how happy the kids were at receiving awards.
“Some kids got awards for having all As. I was so proud of them,” she said.
Kathy Luckett – Hays County Food Bank
As a board member of the Hays County Food Bank, Kathy Luckett heard the pleas for more volunteers regularly. As she tells it, Luckett happened to ask the right question at the right time.
“In April 2009, I attended a volunteer appreciation event, and I was seated across from Al Scott, the Operations Manager,” she said. “I asked him, ‘Al, (executive director) Jerry Gracy tells us all the time how you need more volunteers. What is it that you actually need?’”
Scott told her he needed a driver to get the food from local H-E-Bs and bring it back to the food bank to unload it for distribution.
“He said, ‘Kathy, if I had a driver for Wednesday mornings, my life would be perfect,’” Luckett said of their conversation.
Nearly three years later, Luckett, who retired from a career as a high school counselor and college advisor, is still driving every Wednesday morning. She gives about two hours of her time to head to area H-E-Bs, pick up that day’s goods and head back to the food bank.
She chose to volunteer, first on the board and then as a driver, for the food bank because of her work with Title I schools in the Austin ISD. She said hunger was an important factor in families with limited incomes.
The economic turndown of 2009 was particularly difficult, Luckett said. She watched as people who used to donate to the food bank showed up because they needed food to feed their families. Luckett said she was more committed than ever to tackle the hunger problem in Hays County.
“Friends ask me if I have a hard time sticking with it on cold, rainy Wednesdays,” Luckett said. “The answer is no – I am looking forward to it as I put on my mittens and my jacket.”
In addition to the Food Bank, Luckett enjoys volunteering with the Friends of the Buda Library, the Buda-Kyle Relay for Life, and the Buda-Kyle CROP Walk. She and her husband, Michael Bishop, are also active at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. The youth group from St. Alban’s is planning to volunteer at the Hays County Food Bank this Jan. 21, which is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the National Day of Service.
“We are eager to promote Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as NOT just a day off from school, but a day to participate in serving others,” Luckett said.
Robin McKean – Pet Prevent a Litter (PALS) of Central Texas
Robin McKean has volunteered with Pet Prevent a Litter (PALS) in San Marcos for the past five years. PALS is a nonprofit that works to end pet overpopulation and pet homelessness.
As a registered veterinary technician, PALS seems like a perfect fit for McKean. Making her experience even better is the job McKean does as a volunteer – she assists with the organizations twice monthly spay/neuter clinics.
“An issue that is very important to me is getting pets spayed and neutered,” McKean said, “which is why I became involved with PALS. For years, Pet Prevent a Litter has offered vouchers for free and low-cost spay/neuter surgeries, and about two years ago they expanded their services to include surgical clinics using their own volunteers.”
McKean said she takes care of the surgery setup with veterinary technicians who also volunteer their time.
“Volunteers assist with record keeping, recovery care, clean up, and are available for surgery follow-up,” she said.
PALS typically performs 25-30 cat spay/neuter surgeries during each clinic. McKean said the organization will soon offer surgeries for dogs. PALS also provides vaccinations and flea prevention at reduced rates.
McKean, who is employed at Terry’s Day Program for Special Needs Adults, has worked with animals for more than 20 years, including animal rescue programs.
“Rescuing and placing dogs and cats in loving homes is very important to me. It is very rewarding finding the perfect place for an animal that has been neglected or abused to be placed with a caring family,” she said.
McKean knows how important volunteers are for organizations such as PALS.
“Volunteers are very important to the continuation of this program and are always needed, especially with the surgery days,” McKean said.
She would recommend PALS for anyone wanting to volunteer with an organization that helps animals and their people.
“I love working with animals and assisting PALS in achieving their goals,” Mc-Kean said. “Anyone wanting to volunteer would find this an exciting program to work with.”
