Volunteer Appreciation Brunch 2009

On Wednesday, March 18, I attended my first Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at Fairchild. The Garden House was packed with over 100 volunteers and many more staff. Food was provided by staff -- their chance to do something for us -- featuring lots of delicious homemade platters, salads and desserts.

Sculptor Mark di Suvero, who is one of the featured artists this season, stopped by to say hello. Apparently, he made a special trip just to see us volunteers.

Last year, over 500 volunteers dedicated 67,000 hours of work to the garden. Board of Trustees director Bruce Greer said in no uncertain terms that the organization would not be able to survive without us. He also told us about how they've managed to stay afloat in these economic uncertain times by being fiscally conservative. While other non-profits are struggling, Fairchild is doing relatively well.

He also talked about the new scientific research facility to be built near the Garden Cafe. This is exciting because the laboratories will be in full view of the public and the scientists will give brief talks to kids everyday. The hope is that more kids will be inspired to study plants or become scientists instead of investment bankers. (I'm paraphrasing, but that's what he said, and as you can well imagine, it got a good laugh from the house.) By the way, Fairchild's education program serves over 50,000 school kids a year.

Pins were given to volunteers who were celebrating 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5 years in the garden. Yes, some people have been volunteering for 30 years! That's a career for some. Most of the volunteers I have met are retired folk, but that doesn't mean there aren't younger, working professionals like myself getting involved.

On a personal note, I bumped into my junior and high school French teachers, whom I hadn't seen in over 20 years! I had no idea they were involved. They are devoted to the education program.

I cannot emphasize how rewarding it is to volunteer for this organization. Five-hundred plus people who have devoted years -- if not decades -- to volunteering can't be wrong.

Profile: Volunteers

Volunteers, originally uploaded by vicequeenmaria.

Left to right: Tom Privett, Sandra Galperin and Shary Privett.

Husband and wife team Tom and Shary Privett have been volunteering at Fairchild for one year and a couple of months, respectively. Tom gives tours of the butterfly garden on Saturdays while Shary has gotten involved in education. A former attorney, Tom is now a full-time school teacher.

Sandra Galperin has been volunteering at Fairchild for about 3 years. She has worked in the herbarium, as a garden host and with the tea events. She recently carried the olympic torch in San Francisco! The reason? Sandra has also devoted 31 years as a volunteer swim coach at Venetian Pool.

There are nearly 600 volunteers at Fairchild who contribute thousands of hours each year. Become part of the family and stop by this September for the recruitment events.