Volunteer Wannabes Check Opportunities

Studio City resident Cammy Blanton was carrying a fistful of fliers Sunday as she meandered down a long line of red and white kiosks at Valley College.

The 41-year-old Public Works employee for the city of Los Angeles recently earned a master’s degree and found herself with time to give for a good cause--preferably, with a group that serves children or battered women.

For organizers of the second annual citywide Volunteer Festival, Blanton is a prize catch and a good example of the reason more than 80 organizations set up shop on this warm and clear Sunday.

“Usually the reason people don’t volunteer is because nobody asks,” said Karen Oleon Wagener, executive director of the city of Los Angeles Volunteer Bureau. “Here they can figure out what they want to do.”

There were plenty of organizations to choose among, from the American Cancer Society to the Tri-Valley Special Olympics, Guide Dogs of America and Children of the Night.

At times, it seemed the people representing volunteer groups outnumbered those seeking volunteer opportunities. But Wagener said all it takes is a few signing up at each booth to make a big difference.

Although no statistics were available on sign-ups at Sunday’s event, officials said 2,000 people signed up at last year’s.

Two who showed up Sunday were Granada Hills residents Arthur and Mary Peterson, who are among the 44% of those over 18 who volunteer in Los Angeles County, according to Wagener.

The couple have been volunteers for 25 years with four organizations that primarily work with burn victims. But that didn’t stop them from checking the booths and inquiring about foster parenting and guide-dog training.

“There are so many volunteering opportunities out there,” said Arthur Peterson. “But there are so many needs out there. This is as much as we can do and do a good job.”