Holiday season is here, with family gatherings, maybe snow coming soon, and a brand new year waiting around the corner. I say, let’s beat the rush and consider our New Year’s resolutions now!
Resolutions require effort — and have to be rewarding if we’re going to actually make them work. Work — now there’s a word to consider. Volunteer work. We can make resolutions to improve ourselves and improve our Mill Creek community at the same time.
Some volunteers can share special knowledge with local students. For example, Selma Bonham is a retired geologist (U.S. Geological Survey) who taught a session of two first-grade classes at Woodside Elementary School last April, bringing rock, mineral and fossil samples the kids could handle and identify.
If you have children in local schools you may already be volunteering and involved with school activities. If not, contact the Everett School District office or a nearby school to learn about opportunities or suggest presentations. For a wonderful view of our terrific high school students, consider joining a volunteer panel to evaluate senior projects at Henry M. Jackson High School. I truly enjoyed it.
Does your homeowner association need volunteer board members? It’s a good way to serve the community and get to know your neighbors. And the Mill Creek Community Association (MCCA) also welcomes volunteers for projects as well as to run for the governing board. Inquire at their office or Web site: www.mcca.info.
Nearby food banks can use your help, too. Or find a related project like Roy DeSoto did. Roy makes nearly daily trips to Starbucks, picking up day-old pastries to distribute throughout the community, to food banks and other nonprofit charities, providing a special treat for recipients. Roy encourages others to volunteer, noting that it’s best to live close to the source and the need, since there are transportation costs to consider.
Volunteering for a city board or commission is another way to help our community. I serve on the Mill Creek Library Board, along with Carol Spate, Carolyn De Hart, Lee Kluth and our chairman, Roy DeSoto. Whether your interest is the library, public art, parks, or planning — take a look at the city volunteer opportunities to find one that interests you. Board vacancies are announced in newspaper reports and posted at City Hall.
Some Mill Creek residents are planning a discussion group for all who’d enjoy talking about current issues, events and entertainment. In February, this volunteer group — Mill Creek Conversations — will offer the first discussion event. With sponsors including the Friends of the Mill Creek Library and the Mill Creek Senior Center it will be open to all ages and interests. Watch The Enterprise for Mill Creek Conversations news in January.
Volunteering is simply giving our unpaid time and efforts to make our area an even better place to live. We might maintain yards for neighbors who no longer can do it themselves, or offer transportation to those recovering from surgery at home. Some help by providing a friendly voice in the neighborhood to welcome a newcomer, share local news, loan a paperback or contribute gardening advice. What will you do?
Let’s each commit now to begin new volunteer roles in January. Then, when that familiar post-holiday letdown threatens, we’ll be starting something new and worthwhile. Please write to The Enterprise and let us know how you’ll be helping. Maybe you’ll motivate others to join you.
But hurry — only a few short weeks of 2009 remain. Act now while there’s still time!
After you’ve made those resolutions and signed up to volunteer, go ahead and party like it’s 1999 — or any year you choose.
Let’s all work to make 2010 a better year, and a very “Happy New Year” for us all!
Jean Lightburne is a member of the Friends of the Mill Creek Library. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Friends or of Sno-Isle Libraries.
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