Volunteers Make a Difference
Have you ever paid any attention to the
articles written about birth order? Believers, beginning with
psychiatrist, Alfred Adler, say that birth order has a profound effect
on a person’s personality. I am a “first born.” The message I got
from my parents was that I could do anything. I spent decades believing
that that meant I had to do everything! At home, at work, and in the
community, I raced at breakneck speed giving my all. For years, I
didn’t notice that my behavior left little space for others who would
have enjoyed “doing their part.” Without actually being aware of it,
I was sending a subtle message that others didn’t care as much as I
did. I now accept that I can’t do everything and, indeed, it is best
that I embrace a group effort. Luckily, in the Rehoboth community, there
are many competent, willing volunteers anxious to contribute to the
effort.
This year’s Black and White Beach Ball
was a fine example of a group effort that worked. Community members
contributed money to underwrite a portion of the event’s cost;
thirty-one artists contributed work to be auctioned during either the
silent or the live auction; and, volunteers assisted in decorating,
soliciting contributions, serving as auctioneer and auction assistants,
providing entertainment, and staffing the event’s reception tables.
The result was an event that everyone could be proud of. For the past
week or so, CAMP Rehoboth has been receiving compliments, and thanks for
a great event—everything from the decorations to the art, the food, to
how smoothly everything went. As always, we say, “thank you” AND,
“We couldn’t have done it without all of the volunteers.”
I need to underscore that last portion of
the previous sentence. CAMP Rehoboth’s staff, full and part-time,
totals fewer than five people. If it were physically possible for all of
us to work 24/7, we still would not be able to accomplish the events
that our community expects and enjoys. Event volunteers assist with
soliciting, collecting, and cataloging auction items; selling tickets;
decorating venues; putting on skits for Follies; organizing golf events;
conducting seminars; bartending; providing security; serving as emcee,
and staffing the event reception areas. In addition to the event help,
CAMP Rehoboth volunteers assist with the day-to-day and periodic tasks
of preparing mailings; maintaining databases; watering plants and
cleaning the courtyard plus CAMPsafe volunteers help with outreach,
testing and website monitoring.
Amazingly, the majority of these great
volunteers are also donors to CAMP Rehoboth. They see the needs and make
the effort to help with both time and money. Members of the new CAMP
Rehoboth Development Advisory Board are the latest examples of community
members willing to contribute “time, talent and treasure.” We are
truly grateful for their efforts. Through the leadership of several
members of the Advisory Board, a total of 16 women have “chipped in”
to underwrite an item from the Wish List Angel Level, the CAMP Rehoboth
Community Center’s women’s restroom. (Women throughout our community
can breathe a sigh of relief!)
If
you are one of our wonderful donors and/or volunteers, invite a friend
to join you in helping. If you are someone who hasn’t yet agreed to
contribute to CAMP Rehoboth, we urgently need your help. There is no
better way to feel a part of the Rehoboth Beach community than to pitch
in and become a contributing member.
Beth Fitton is Development Director of
CAMP Rehoboth. She may be reached at beth@camprehoboth.com
or by calling 302-227-5620.
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