In the spring of 2002, I was looking for some new volunteer opportunities. I had been doing a number of volunteer activities since early 2001 after becoming a widow in September 2000. Those activities had all been involved with elderly folks. I wanted to find some worthwhile activity which involved people of different ages.

I was at the local library to tutor an adult through a program with Placer Adult Literacy. There was a newsletter from the Foothills Volunteer Center with a listing of volunteer opportunities on the bulletin board at the library. The first organization on the list was A Touch of Understanding. They were looking for presentation volunteers—people who related to children. I made a note of the name and number to call.  The rest is really history.

When Leslie DeDora, the Executive Director, and I spoke, I learned about the program, its activities, goals, and needs. Leslie asked about my background. At the time, I was a business consultant focusing on documents, sort of a technical writer but covering more than technical material. Leslie explained that ATOU needed a volunteer manual written. I offered that I could certainly do that. Within a couple months, in addition to starting work on the Volunteer Manual and assisting with school presentations, I was recruited for the Board of Directors.

I have always been a strong proponent for giving children all the things they need to grow up healthy: good nutrition, good interaction with parents, siblings, and others, good education, and good training in interpersonal skills. In the late 1970's, I taught elementary school. I have respect for children and believe that they can change the world for the better if we give them the proper upbringing and education.

Stepping into the role of a presentation assistant was a natural move for me. I later began facilitating the activity portion of the program. And, yes, we completed the Volunteer Manual in 2003 thanks to lots of help from Leslie and from Jeanne Culhane, another volunteer, who took lots of great photos for the document.

Each time we work in a school, I am reminded that children hold hope for the future. I see the impact of the program. I remember working at the mirror station with a group of third graders. One little boy became frustrated. He said, "I can't do this! I tried twice and it is too hard!"  I asked him if he thought that Mike Penketh (who he had heard speak earlier and is a man with two artificial hands) gave up on his new artificial arms after two tries. Not only did this question bring this boy up short, but I saw the mouths of the other students at the mirrors drop in surprise and eyes react to the perception that some things take more than two tries to accomplish.

There are benefits to being an ATOU volunteer other than feeling a sense of accomplishment and a sense of contribution to the youth of our area. The friendship and support of the other volunteers is invaluable. These people are inspiring whether they are a disabled speaker, a presentation assistant, a volunteer for fund raising, or a driver of volunteers who are unable to drive. I know these people will be my friends for life.

We all share in the gratification that comes from being part of such a wonderful program. I am thankful that I saw that advertisement for volunteers, and I am thankful that Leslie DeDora and her father, Ed Ennis, had the initiative, tenacity, and stamina to develop and continue such a worthwhile program.  If you want to have some fun, come and join us!