How it all began

Volunteerism is an integral part of who I am, both personally and professionally. As the Community Services Coordinator at Arbor Circle I supervise agency volunteers and I coordinate community service opportunities for our youth. Outside of work I’d consider volunteering to be one of my favorite hobbies. It’s a way for me to meet new people and spend time with friends, to have a meaningful role in community events, to learn new skills and so much more.

So how did volunteering become so important to my life? How does someone decide to become a volunteer manager? Since this is my introductory entry I thought I’d explore those questions by going back to the beginning.

The seeds of volunteering were planted early on by the example both of my parents set. My father was a Police Officer and Firefighter and my mother was an X-Ray technician who left hospital work to raise me and my siblings. From as far back as I can remember my parents were involved in community activities: they each served as scout leaders and presidents of the PTA, they organized neighborhood block parties and community clean-ups, if there was an opportunity to get involved in something that would have a positive impact on our family and our community they stepped up and did it.

As a scouting family I remember participating in service projects as early as first grade; I’d sing at senior centers, do park clean-ups, wash tables at soup kitchens. In our home we kept an ongoing Goodwill donation bag and when we made art projects they were often given to our elderly neighbors. Even a portion of our Halloween candy was set aside for children who were in the hospital and unable to go trick-or-treating. Although it was an expectation it was never a chore, it was just our family’s way of doing our part.

As I grew older and was able to choose my level of involvement, I participated in clubs and activities that had an element of service like SADD, Student Senate, National Honor Society and a youth group at church. This trend would continue into my college years, but that’s a story for another day. For now I can look back and say that my passion for volunteering and community service began with my parents. Their example taught me that if someone was in need and I had the time, skills or resources to help them it was my responsibility to do so. I'll forever be grateful to my parents Karen and Jerry Burden for this important lesson.