LIFE& STYLE | It takes a city full of volunteers to ....

Improve a city.

I just had a party at my house last Sunday. 

It took half a village to make that party a success.

My mom and I made delicious foods. My husband cleaned the carpets. My dad cleaned the yard. My aunts brought homemade pastry and salads. My good friend Vida made Brownie bites. 

My friend Zari helped me serve more than 50 cups of tea. My friend Roya helped me clean up the table. It was a good party thanks to everyone who pitched in to help.

This brings me to the issue of VOLUNTEERING.

Have you ever considered volunteering at Chavez Library?

Our Chavez volunteers have been helping the library by giving the library the gift of their time. 

Our volunteers' dedication has enabled the library to run smoothly despite all the staff shortages due to budget cuts, hiring freezes and retirements. 

• We have literacy volunteers who teach adult learners to read and write.

• We have volunteers who shelve books or process returned items.

• We have volunteers who help out kids with their homeworks on Wednesdays.

I think our library is blessed to have these volunteers.
 
But Chavez Library needs more of these wonderful volunteers.

If you have a few hours a week to spare, consider volunteering at Chavez Library.

Just pickup an application from the customer service or reference desk. To be a volunteer you should be at least 14 years old.

Let me tell you something.

Since I work full-time, I can only volunteer one hour/week at my child's school. I grade papers and update her class bulletin board. Sometimes the students just read me books.

By volunteering an hour a week, I am giving my child's teacher an hour of free time. This benefits all the kids in that classroom. There are other working parents in that classroom who volunteer as well. All these efforts add up and I am certain that it would have an impact on these kids futures.

Most of us in this economy might not have money to donate to good causes, but we can all volunteer our time for worthy causes.

It also gives us a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

So if you can spare a few hours a week, please consider volunteering at Chavez Library. 

Let's give our wonderful library a helping hand. 

Let's remember President Kennedy's words of wisdom :
  
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Signing off until next Monday- Panteha