Efforts as Volunteer Are Defended

When I wrote “say NoNo to NoHo” (May 2) I expected some disagreement, and I can live with that.

However, I cannot ignore James A. Berg’s public impugning of my role as community activist and volunteer (Letters, May 9).

Here are some of the things which I do.

I recently began my seventh year as a volunteer in some inner-city schools. I teach container gardening to children in elementary schools, including kindergarten and preschool.

Over two years ago I founded and became president of the Burbank Aviation Museum. We are a group of volunteers working with the communities of the eastern San Fernando Valley to create a classic aviation museum, on or near Burbank Airport, by the year 2000.

I am a charter member of the North Hollywood (Amelia Earhart) Library in North Hollywood Park, and I serve as chairperson of the Friends’ Cultural Affairs Committee. Ever since the library’s 60th anniversary in 1989, the Friends have held recitals and concerts in the library. We have sponsored speakers, an art show and two photo exhibitions.

If you live in a community and you want to improve that community without thought of increasing your own wealth, you get angry when people with a “colonial” attitude treat you like they have come to save the poor devils who live there.

R. C. (CHAPPY) CZAPIEWSKI

North Hollywood