Volunteers
Week after week, I’m simply amazed at all the good work and good deeds that are done by volunteers throughout the mountain communities. Out on Lake Drive in Crestline, I see a man every week walking around, picking up trash. Why, you ask, would someone do that for free? It’s because he’s proud of his community and he wants others to be proud as well.
And this man is not the only one who’s out there doing good deeds for their community; there are plenty of others – just look around. Down on the trail around the lake, there are others with pooper-scoopers picking up…well, you know what…and some of them don’t even own dogs. Why, it’s a whole new revolution…kinda’ makes me want to go dancing down the street.
“Look what’s happening out in the streets, got a revolution. Hey, I’m dancing down the streets, got a revolution. Oh, ain’t it amazing all the people I meet? Well, we are the volunteers of America, volunteers of America…” (“Volunteers” – Jefferson Airplane – 1969)
Lake Gregory is arguably one of Crestline’s most valuable assets, so it’s no wonder that a dozen or so volunteers from Lake Gregory Yacht Club encircled the lake a few weeks ago, picking up trash and debris left behind by careless visitors, for free. You wouldn’t likely see this down the hill, not without paying them. Then there are those who volunteer their time and efforts to the community, through the Rotary and Lioness Clubs, the Lake Gregory Improvement Commission and the Crestline Senior Citizens Club, which provides weekly senior luncheons.
And let’s not forget all the fine volunteers from Lake Arrowhead, like the 60 some Mountains Community Hospital volunteers, whose time and money enable the hospital to purchase equipment that would not have been possible with patient revenue alone. Nor Rim of the World Historical Society, Soroptimists, both Rotary Clubs, Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities, Meals on Wheels and the Sheriff’s Citizens on Patrol and Search and Rescue, all of which provide many amenities and services that we take for granted.
Not to mention the Running Springs, Arrowbear and Green Valley Lake volunteers who provide community cleanups, a weekly Farmer’s Market and yearly holiday parades and festivals.
And how about all the local chambers of commerce, which sponsor yearly festivals, and parades, such as Crestline’s Jamboree Days, and fireworks extravaganzas.
There are countless other organizations, groups and individuals that generously donate their time and energy to make their communities a better place to live and a better place for others to visit. Forgive me if I didn’t mention your group or organization, for I’m running out of available words, but please know you are appreciated, so give yourselves a pat on the back.
“Pick up the cry, hey, now it’s time for you and me, got a revolution. Hey, come on now, we’re marching to the sea, got a revolution. .. well, we are the volunteers of America, volunteers of America.”
Keep it flyin’ Uncle Mott