Local Professionals Support Volunteerism in Rochester by Kevin R. Scott
Thu, Oct 30, 2008 The American Red Cross Young Professionals held a mix and mingle event on October 29th at its downtown offices in an effort to promote networking and volunteerism among local professionals under the age of 40.
The event's guest speak, Bryan White, Business Development Manager for Medi-Sked and Red Cross volunteer, spoke to the crowd of young professionals about the importance of volunteering through a narrative about his own experience with the organization.
"It was written up in the paper that had the painter not left the ladder on the back porch, none of us would have made it out alive," says White recalling the details of a house fire the brought about his first experience with the Red Cross. "The Red Cross showed up before or with the very first fire truck. They took charge of the situation and they calmed us down. We watched as everything we owned went up in flames and there was nothing we could do about it."
White's experience that night is what motivated him to focus his efforts to give back to the community on volunteering at the Red Cross.
"We should always give back to the community, because you never really know when you are going to be on the receiving end," declares White.
On display at the mix and mingle event were many of the international relief efforts that the Red Cross is involved in as well as several opportunities to get involved including writing proposals, acquiring goods and services and other activities related to their annual fund raiser.
"I figured I would come down to meet other young people," says local professional Joanna Cruz. "Rochester has a lot to offer but it seems that most people aren't always aware of it. Events like this give us the chance to meet each other, rather than ultimately leaving the city altogether just to find other like minded individuals."
For more information on the American Red Cross Young Professionals and volunteer opportunities contact Melanie Barnas-Simmons at (585) 241-4420.
The Importance of Volunteerism
According to reports by community affairs program, "Many Voices, Many Visions," volunteerism is alive and well in Rochester, however efforts among African Americans and Latinos in a coordinated way isn't easily accomplished.
"People of color are not always involved in the planning of services provided, therefore organizations aren't always able to meet the needs of the people they serve," says Silvia Sorenson, Ph.D. from the University of Rochester.
As a result, a consortium of several local volunteer coordinators formed an organization called Volunteers in Living Color in 2005 in an effort to increase awareness and volunteerism among minorities to help foster relevancy and understanding among the people the volunteers are serving.
For more information on Volunteering in Living Color contact Marcia Famolaro at (585) 442-2220. |
