Week 295

Positive post Sunday, October 16, 2022- Week 295.

It’s my belief that every citizen has a responsibility to serve their community in some way, that’s what differentiates strong and thriving communities from others. I cannot imagine a community without volunteers in our churches, schools, police and fire departments, on commissions, leading our nonprofit organizations, and the list goes on. Our quality of life is certainly enhanced by the many volunteers that serve within our communities.

Simply put, without volunteers, a community will perish. Or as Kofi Annan 7th UN Secretary-General says, ” …let us remember the large number of citizens who, day in and day out, through acts of volunteerism large and small, bring hope to so many of the world’s disadvantaged. Let us ensure that this wonderful resource, available in abundance, to every nation is recognized and supported as it works towards a more prosperous and peaceful world”.

Every community offers opportunities to volunteer, and many citizens do not even realize that many of those that serve them are actually volunteers or the impact volunteerism has on our economy. It has been estimated that volunteers contributed a staggering $187.7 BILLION to our national economy in 2019 (the year before the pandemic began). Most city websites have a list of volunteer opportunities (some cities have volunteer coordinators) and there is always a need at our churches and local nonprofit organizations.

My family and I have been blessed to serve the communities we have lived in in many ways. We have found all our volunteer experiences to be rewarding, fulfilling, often challenging and always educational. We have learned and experienced that giving of your time, talent and treasures also helps you grow both personally and professionally.

One of the most significant ways Michele and I have served, which requires a substantial commitment of time and energy, is being elected officials. Those who have earned this privilege to serve in their communities know firsthand the sacrifices this requires.

As one of the founders and following being Chairman of Public Relations on the Committee that formed the Crescenta Valley Town Council back in 1989, I was honored to be the first elected Councilman for my area on the Town Council. The Town Council was formed to address the needs of and increase representation for local citizens in the unincorporated area in the Crescenta Valley.

And now fast forward and Michele is the elected official in our family. She has served our community as a member of the Board of Education for the Redlands Unified School District since 2019. Although she is up for re-election this year, we are all blessed that she is running unopposed and will serve for another 4 years. The blessing is that she does not have to spend time and effort campaigning and can remain focused on serving the needs of our students, parents, guardians, teachers and the community as a whole.

Both Michele and I have been honored to be elected to serve and we are grateful for all the prayers, support and encouragement we have received. A strong educational system and representation of local citizens are foundational to the quality of life and health of any community. We pray for all our elected officials, asking our Heavenly Father to watch over them and guide them, and that they be just and upright in their thinking, honest in all their actions, serve the needs of those they represent above their own and remain true to their faith.

What important volunteer services make your community strong? What other services are needed?

What has the Lord invited you to do for the betterment of your community or church?

What are you doing to improve the quality of life in your community?