1. Service opportunities abound in Southeast Texas
Volunteer
Putting the ‘U’ in
V
olunteers are believers in
action, according to Amie
James, the race director
who rallied more than 200
volunteers this spring to
support The Gusher Mara-
thon. “They put their time
and effort where their hearts are.”
Every day, ordinary citizens offer their
time to freely provide any number of ser-
vices — answer telephones, lead tours, as-
sist the elderly, tutor children, catalogue
books, coach teams — for the satisfaction
of contributing to society.
“I know that the local community
heavily depends on volunteers,” said
Cheryl Williams, executive director of
Rape & Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas,
Inc. “The cost to employ such individuals
for a nonprofit would be enormous.”
Though the community relies on
volunteers, several nonprofits say their
volunteer pool is shrinking.
“I feel the number of volunteers is
fewer due to the economy and people
working longer,” said Paula O’Neal, exec-
utive director of Some Other Place. “We
were founded and supported by Depres-
sion survivors and they are dying off.”
New blood is needed to fill those roles,
but is not always easy to find. “You have
your loyal volunteers, but it’s really, really
difficult to attract new volunteers,” said
Darlene Chodzinski, the executive direc-
tor of the Beaumont Heritage Society.
Often it’s the same people volunteer-
ing in multiple roles. “There are some
very unselfish, giving people who you
will see volunteering consistently over
and over,” said Richard James, co-orga-
nizer of The Gusher Marathon. “Those
volunteering are very committed.”
Carol Cuccio, communications coor-
dinator for the McFaddin-Ward Historic
House Museum, echoed that observation.
“In today’s busy world, it has become
more difficult to find people who have
the time to volunteer,” she said. “Those
who do seem to be extremely commit-
ted to serving their community, giving
their time to the causes closest to their
hearts.”
Reciprocal benefits
Though volunteers donate their time
and work, the advantages work both
ways. “Volunteers give valuable in-kind
services to agencies,” Williams said. “In
return, volunteers gain valuable skills
that can be utilized on resumes when
applying for employment, along with
the personal satisfaction of knowing that
they have made a difference in some-
one’s life.”
Recruiting
Though the dozen organizations con-
tacted for this report all have Web pages
and are using or learning how to utilize
social media, they were unanimous in
saying that word of mouth, spreading
the news through their existing volun-
teer network, remains their most com-
mon source of new volunteers.
Richard James said he believes the
best way to attract and retain new volun-
teers is to make the work entertaining.
“People like to socialize and have fun. If
they have that and believe in what they
are doing, it will not feel like work.”
Willing attitude wanted
A critical factor for potential volun-
teers is the time commitment involved.
“With our event, there’s something
for all ages and it’s a three-hour long
commitment, not an ongoing project,”
said Reneé Tuggle, who coordinates the
bi-annual Adopt-A-Beach throughout
Texas. “It’s just a few hours one morning
to do something good for the environ-
ment. There is such a sense of accom-
plishment, of instant gratification, that
people get seeing a clean beach.”
Another factor is the individual’s
particular skills and/or willingness to
commit to training. In some roles all
that is needed is a warm body and a
warm heart, however, in most volunteer
roles, what is needed is a willingness to
learn. Depending on the role, there can
be various degrees of training provided.
Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature
Center in Orange uses 200 volunteers
donating 18,000 hours a year in 20 dif-
ferent roles.
“One of the reasons our program is
so successful is that there is something
for everyone,” said Holly Cope Hanson,
the volunteer/tour coordinator. “There
is quite a bit of difference in training
from someone who does office work and
text by cheryl rose

2. someone who drives the boat.”
After the investment in training, organi-
zations anticipate a time commitment from
the volunteer. “We are looking for volun-
teers who can make an ongoing commit-
ment,” Hansen said. “We ask for 30 hours
per 12 month period.”
Encouraging a new generation
Lamar University initiated Cardinals
C.A.R.E. last year to serve as a student
volunteer center. Ashley Spicer-Runnels,
the director of student development and
leadership, said the program was initiated to
assist students, faculty and staff to connect
with community organizations. The program
made 100 volunteer matches last academic
year, and they hope to encourage increased
participation this year.
Students at Monsignor Kelly High School
are required to perform 25 hours of service
each year for a total of 100 hours by gradu-
ation. Principal Roger Bemis said many
students far exceed the required total.
“As a Catholic High School, part of our
faith formation efforts are for students to
understand that they are given many gifts,
talents and blessings by God,” he explained.
“With those gifts comes the responsibility to
share them with others to make the world a
better place.”
Step forward
You are needed, and there is a multiplic-
ity of options to get involved.
“This is my response to people who say
they don’t have time: If you have one hour
to give us, it’s one hour more than we would
have had if you hadn’t come,” emphasized
Chodzinski. “That hour is valuable to us. We
are still interested and would be delighted to
have you.”
v o l u n t e e r i n g
vip worthy
VIP

3. “I do it because it’s a
payback thing. It’s the proper
way to say goodbye to other
veterans and gives them the
honor and dignity of a mili-
tary funeral. It’s patriotism,
and giving back to society.”
Clif Brashear
Southeast Texas Veterans
Service Group
“I like helping people. I get
satisfaction from helping the
residents; some have no one
else to talk with them. I just
enjoy doing it.”
Milton Chatham Sr.
Nursing Home Ombudsman
“I think we are all here for
a purpose. Every creature
has a need, and if I can help
anyone or any animal with a
need they have, then I want
to do it. It makes me feel
good that I can help some-
one else, make a difference
in his or her life.”
Crystal Dunning
Dog grooming for the
Humane Society
“To satisfy my need to give
back, as I have been very
generously blessed. Those
to whom much is given,
much is expected.
Nell McCallum Morris
The Julie Rogers “Gift of
Life” Program
Why I
volunteer
Make an
RSVP to
volunteer
For 39 years, Golden Triangle
RSVP, sponsored by the South East
Texas Regional Planning Commis-
sion, has been matching retired
and senior volunteers with non-
profits. Last year, the organization
placed 878 volunteers, who served
148,391 hours at 85 sites in the
three county area.Volunteers
range in age from 55 to 90+.
In addition to making volunteer
matches, Golden Triangle RSVP
offers its volunteers supplemental
liability insurance and in some
cases, mileage reimbursement. A
wide variety of service opportuni-
ties are available with schools,
hospitals, museums, police/fire de-
partments and many more. Some
examples:
Shots Across Texas: Vol-
unteers visit new moms in local
hospitals to distribute educational
materials on early childhood im-
munizations.
Beaumont Police Depart-
ment: Volunteers needed to
answer phone, call shut-ins.
Kountze Library: Volunteers
needed to assist at front desk.
GOALS in Orange: Reading
and math tutors sought.
Some Other Place: Volunteers
needed to deliver Meals on Wheels.
If interested, call
409.899.8444 x 6402 or
877.802.2200 x 6402.
Faces of SE Texas volunteers

4. Government and nonprofit agencies
throughout the area depend on volun-
teers. Consider your interests, available
time and skills then connect and
begin a meaningful service today! The
list below is not comprehensive, but
reflects the agencies that contributed
to this article.
Coordination
Cardinals C.A.R.E.
(Community Assistance Reaching
Everyone)
409.880.1734/409.880.8085
Office of Student Affairs
ashley.spicer@lamar.edu
Golden Triangle RSVP
(Retired & Seniors Volunteer Program)
409.899.8444, 877.802.2200 x6402
setrpc.org
ppearson@setrpc.org
Animals
Humane Society of SE Texas
409.833.0504
petsforpeople.org
Facebook: Petsforpeople
Contact Susan Toney
Typical volunteer roles: Dog walking
and socialization, cat socialization, pet
grooming
Basic Needs
American Red Cross Beaumont
409.832.1644
redcrossbeaumont.org
Contact Jo Lynn Leal
Typical volunteer roles: Disaster pre-
paredness, CPR, swim instruction
Habitat for Humanity
409.832.5853
beaumonthabitat.org
Facebook: Habitat for Humanity of
Jefferson County
Contact Uliana Trylowsky
Typical volunteer roles: Work at build
sites (no construction skills needed)
and Habitat ReStore
Some Other Place
409.832.7976
Soptbmt.org
Facebook: Some Other Place
Contact Paula O’Neal
Typical volunteer roles: Prepare, serve
and deliver meals, distribute back-
to-school and holiday drives, wrap
presents
Environmental
Shangri La Botanical Gardens and
Nature Center
409.670.0234
shangrilagardens.org
Facebook: Shangri La Botantical Gar-
dens and Nature Center
Contact Holly Cope Hanson
Typical volunteer roles: 20 different
jobs from filing to gardening
Adopt-A-Beach
1.877.TX.COAST (892.6278)
texasadoptabeach.org
Facebook: Texas General Land Office
Adopt-A-Beach Program
Contact Reneé Tuggle
Typical volunteer roles: Pick up litter,
record information
Health/Fitness
Gusher Marathon
thegushermarathon.com
Facebook: The Gusher Marathon, Half
Marathon and 5K
Contact Amie James
Typical volunteer roles: Race course
setup, race packet pickup, water
station, finish line support, and course
clean up.
Museums/Cultural
Beaumont Heritage Society
409-898-0348 or 409-832-4010
beaumontheritage.org
Facebook: Beaumont Heritage Society
Contact Darlene Chodzinski or Amy
Briggs
Typical volunteer roles: Docent tours,
research, cataloguing antiques/vintage
inventory
Fire Museum of Texas
409.880.3927
firemuseumoftexas.org
Facebook: The Fire-Museum of Texas
Contact Carol Gary
Typical volunteer roles: Tour guides and
educational outreach
McFaddin-Ward House Museum
409.832.1906
mcfaddin-ward.org
Facebook: McFaddin-Ward House
Contact Becky Fertitta
Typical volunteer roles: Tour guides,
educational outreach, community
gardening
Support Services
Family Services of SE Texas
409.833.2668 x115
westrengthenfamilies.org
Facebook: Family Services of Beau-
mont
Contact Linda Morrison
Typical volunteer roles: Clerical as-
sistance, volunteers for the Women and
Children’s Shelter, volunteers for anger
management classes, community fairs
Rape & Suicide Crisis of SE Texas
409.832.6530
rapesuicidebeaumont.org
Contact Cheryl Williams
Typical volunteer roles: (After training)
Answer 24 hour hotline or provide
medical accompaniment for victims
Volunteering source guide
“I love the opportunity to
help others and to use my
ideas and creativity to make
the world a better place. To
me, volunteering is fun! It is
also a good way to teach my
children how we should help
others and give of our time
and talents, the way God
would want us to. ”
Debby Moon
School/church volunteer
“I enjoy getting things done
and try to have fun in what-
ever I do.”
Vicki Gallagher
Shangri La volunteer
“I love working on projects
that allow you to interact
with program recipients
directly. It is so rewarding
to see your efforts make a
difference in other people’s
lives.”
Kristie Young
Community volunteer
“I think that volunteering in
any aspect keeps you young
at heart and healthy — both
mentally and physically. I
have made so many good
friends through volunteer-
ing. Sharing your time and
energy is one of the most
rewarding things you can do.
Joyce Kennedy
Shangri La volunteer/Texas
Master Gardener
“I learn from it. Not only
am I helping with what the
cause is, I learn about the
need in our community and
how these organizations
impact our neighbors. I just
feel I want to give back to
the community that’s been
very supportive of me.
Christina Delgadillo
Community volunteer