Each month, various community groups come together to tape "Making A Difference," a program featuring volunteer opportunities on CAT3 TV. Last night was our monthly taping and one segment was an interview with two of our CARP volunteers, Cheryl Hardy and Brenda Peculis.
Cheryl and Brenda were in the first CARP class in 2007 and are also TreeKeepers and involved with many other volunteer efforts throughout the community.
I really enjoyed listening to their interview with our host, Dhomonique Ricks. They shared so much enthusiasm and satisfaction from participating in the projects held along streams and lakes in our city parks.
Here's how I see these projects: we ask volunteers to come early on a Saturday morning on days that are sometimes hot and sometimes cold. We ask them to do really hard work digging, weeding, lifting heavy plant material many times working in water. Doesn't always sound so fun, although the results are long-lasting and important to the community.
After hearing Cheryl and Brenda I got a different perspective. These projects are a lot of fun because they are much different than what they and other volunteers do in their daily jobs. They really do enjoy working in the water (in all temperatures!) and getting to interact with other people who are of like-mind. They don't see this as work at all but as a great opportunity to help the community and gain a great feeling of pride.
Thanks, Brenda and Cheryl, for sharing your story! Their episode will begin airing in the next week. You can see the schedule online.
