A Salute to the Many Volunteers in Mission Viejo

This week is National Volunteer Week and we salute you!  We know you volunteer your energy, talents and time to make a difference in our community.  The majority of volunteers helped their neighbors in some way while others participated in civic, religious, service or youth groups.

In Mission Viejo there are hundreds, probably thousands of volunteers that make the city great!  If you look around Mission Viejo you see numerous parents, kids and entire families doing their part to make Mission Viejo a safe and exciting place to live.  Mission Viejo has hundreds of activities and events annually that give each of us many opportunities to give back.  Simply, volunteer opportunities are never scarce in Mission Viejo.

There are just too many volunteer groups of all ages to list them all.  However, some of them are- - Age Well Senior Services and Meals on Wheels, Animal Services, Boy Scouts, Community of Character Committee, Crafty Ladies, Cultural Arts Committee, Elks, Girl Scouts, Heritage Committee, Kiwanis Club, Lion’s Heart, Marine Adoption Committee, Mission Viejo Senior Activities Committee, Mission Viejo Student Advisory Council, National Charities League, Orange County Sheriff Explorer Post #449, Rotary Club and Senior Community Activity Team.

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, about 64.3 million Americans, or 26.8 percent of the adult population, gave 7.9 billion hours of volunteer service worth $171 billion in 2011.  In 2011, the estimated value of one volunteer hour in California is $24.75, (http://www.independentsector.org/volunteertime).  In any estimation that makes the city of Mission Viejo the most enriched city in the United States. 

In fact, the City of Mission Viejo and Norman P. Murray Community & Senior Center offer a warm, friendly atmosphere open to the community and they welcome everyone to volunteer including many non-residents.   Without a doubt this is what makes Mission Viejo thrive. 

Mission Viejo continues to grow with people’s service, new ideas and positive energy from young and older community members.  Each of us knows that we can influence the future of our communities by giving a few hours here and there. Our tight knit community provides residents with a happy and safe life.

It is one thing for people to give money, but to give so selflessly of your time speaks volumes.  The endless hours of “sweat equity” and time volunteered in Mission Viejo are immeasurable. 

We just never know when a simple act of kindness can help make someone’s struggle a little easier.  No act is insignificant, a smile, a hug, a handshake.....a hello.

Mission Viejo, keep giving back.  Please tell us about your favorite volunteer organization.  Again, thank you for volunteering.  We all appreciate it.