community

Our past can sometimes be the greatest gift we can give to the future. Few people recognize this as much as Barbara Price Boles. She has dedicated her life to the preservation of history in Yorktown, Virginia, and has inspired others to take a greater interest in their heritage, and in their communities. Ms. Boles has dedicated more time serving as Regent of the Comte De Grasse Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), than she did as a registered nurse.

Priya Sathaye volunteers with the Sunday Friends Program and has been serving with them since August of 2006. Sunday Friendsis a nonprofit organization tht runs programs for low-income families in San Jose, California. She taught piano lessons to children, led art projects and played a key role in the program's "shopping" operations. Priya was quickly recognized as a star volunteer with leadership qualities, so she was invited to serve on the Sunday Friends Volunteer Leader Team.

Laura Wysocki broke her elbow playing soccer and noticed an ad in the paper for volunteers. The program assigns Special Needs students with a "buddy" for one-on-one instruction in the rules of the game of soccer and the spirit of teamwork. Being a buddy to little Gordon is an eye opener for Laura. Born with Down Syndrome and a weak heart, Gordon has undergone two heart surgeries. Gordon does not know anything about soccer, is reluctant to play, and is notorious for running of the field every opportunity he can. After several weeks of cajoling, Gordon attempts to dribble the ball!

Joan is a relentless animal rescuer, and spends quite a lot of time assisting in the rescue, care, and placement of homeless dogs and cats, using her own resources. When you can’t find anyone else to help, Joan tries to be there. She assisted recently with the transport of a dog listed on “Dogs in Danger” to a safe haven in another state. She offered to pay the veterinary expenses for a disabled man’s cat, and has taken an elderly Shar Pei into foster care in her own home after the dog’s story was emailed to her.

Please read the following narrative about volunteer, Ellen Dean. Ellen Dean addresses the need to educate new generations of children to the age old use for books. Opening their minds to another way of learning that does not include television or computers. She helps them sharpen their reading skills therefore indirectly helping them overall in the whole school experience. Which will benefit them as they grow older and advance to each grade.