Many people juggle work, owning a business, school, kids, and activity after activity. It is hard enough to complete the tasks that need to get done, but to add more to the list seems daunting. However, it has been proven that one of the most satisfying, fun, and productive ways to refresh, renew, unite families and feel fulfilled is to volunteer for community service projects. Volunteerism also sets a good example for your kids and helps the community. The satisfaction and pride that comes from helping others is an important reason to volunteer. When you commit your time and effort to an organization, or a cause you feel strongly about, the feeling of fulfillment can be endless. In doing so, this also strengthens your community.

Organizations and agencies that use volunteers are providing important services at low or no cost to those who need them. When a community is doing well as a whole, its individuals are better off, too. Volunteering can also help your business. As you spend time with others working on a project, you get to know more people, strengthen your network and, inevitably, people learn about you and what you do for a living. It can also strengthen your family. Volunteerism is a great way for families to have fun and feel closer. Even if you select just one or two projects a year, and make them a family tradition, it can go along way in helping the community, strengthening your family bond and “shining a beam in a weary world.”

If you do not know where to get started, the Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce is a great place to start. The Chamber is the hub of what is available in the Crescenta Valley. Most everyone that helps make this town a better place is involved with the Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the Chamber are actively involved with the Crescenta Valley Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition. The mission of the Coalition is to create awareness and maintain a safe and healthy drug-free community by providing our youth a secure, caring and supportive environment. They are always actively looking for volunteers.

Once a month, members of the Chamber, along with the Crescenta Valley Town Council, help maintain the freeway off-ramp at La Crescenta Avenue. The La Crescenta off-ramp used to be an ugly, cracked stretch of blacktop, uncared for and full of weeds, which was a very bad first impression for those new to this beautiful city. Volunteers came together to have greenery planted and they now gather once a month to pick up trash and maintain the off-ramp. They would love to have additional volunteers help with this project.

Another easy way to get involved is to join us at one of our upcoming events. There are many to choose from. Even one little candle can throw his beams brightly on the town.

Important dates: Feb. 17 – Ribbon cutting Shanto’s Bakery; March 1 – Dine Out Night at Leo’s All-Star Sports Bar and Grill; March 9 – Business mixer at Bob Smith Toyota; March 20 – Day at the Races; March 23 – Smart-a-thon; April 16 – Hometown Country Fair. Please call our office for more details on any event. How to reach us: (818) 248-4957 / crescentachamber@aol.com / www.LaCrescenta.org / 3131 Foothill Blvd, Suite D.

  Business, julia rabago