“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofits like Vivalon. They’re the reason people can receive meals at home, rides to medical appointments, or attend classes at our Healthy Aging Center. With a simple act of pure kindness, they help make our community a better place, the kind of place where everyone can feel like they belong – regardless of mobility, age, or income.
Last year, 322 Vivalon volunteers provided 14,883 hours of service, and their contribution in time is valued at over $431,000! These thoughtful individuals gave their time to a cause they care about without expecting anything in return, and that is a truly remarkable gift that helps make Marin a place of connection and vitality every day.
Meet some of our volunteers below:
- Nancy has been volunteering for CarePool since 2015. Every week she provides rides to the grocery store or medical appointments for people over the age of 65 who cannot drive. She has many regular riders who enjoy her company as well as her support every week. “Nancy has a great personality,” says Cecile, one of her riders. “Every outing is fun, and she is so giving.”
- Lotus was a support staff member for 28 years for the Federal Police. In 2014, she started volunteering at Vivalon and has provided over 1,300 hours in our on-site food pantry and in the Jackson Café. She receives a great amount of joy in helping people at our Healthy Aging Center, recognizing weekly regulars, and spending time with volunteers who have become dear friends. Read more about Lotus here.
- Marvin is another food pantry volunteer who joined Vivalon eight months ago. He was a radiation therapist who helped treat cancer patients before becoming a volunteer. He now enjoys this new opportunity to give back and the company of his fellow volunteers. Read more about Marvin here.
- Bill has been delivering meals to homebound older adults through Meals on Wheels since 2016. He is the Vice President of a large technology company and still finds time to regularly give back to his community. He loves knowing he is doing something to help others in need, connecting with the people on his route, and hearing about their lives. Learn more about Bill here.
These volunteers, and so many more, have formed an awesome community at Vivalon, united by a desire to give back, and new volunteers are always welcome!
You can brighten the days of homebound older adults by delivering delicious, home-delivered meals along with a friendly visit as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, or help our older neighbors go to the grocery store or their medical appointments through CarePool. Perhaps, you have a special talent or skill you want to use to help others but you’re not quite sure how. If that’s you, our volunteer team can help you find a good fit.
Learn more and sign up here today.
For questions, reach out to our volunteer manager, Liz Capurro, at [email protected] or 415-456-9067.
Volunteers will be gathering for a special holiday mixer on December 15 from 3:00-5:00 pm in the Jackson Cafe. Become a volunteer today and join the fun!
