For These Volunteers, It’s Full-Time Work

Even in a good economy, it can be tough going for a nonprofit charity that requires volunteers to pay annual dues, buy tickets to events it sponsors and donate as many hours as needed to make an event a success.

Indeed, that might be asking too much of some. But not for Camarillo residents Barbara Hemmens and Mary Little who are among a core group of 30 women who make up the Meadowlark Service League.

While the league may not have the financial reach or breadth of volunteers that United Way or other large nonprofit groups have, the hard work and dedication of these individuals and others have kept the Camarillo charity a vital force in the community, even in the midst of a declining economy.

“I don’t want to scare anyone away by saying how many hours I put in,” said Hemmens, 58. “Let’s just say it’s close to working a full-time job.”

Since 1971, Meadowlark has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local organizations such as the Camarillo Arts Center, Food Share, Senior Nutrition Action Council and the YMCA. With the $95,000 it collected in the fiscal year that ended June 30, the group reached the $1-million mark in fund-raising.

“You get such a strong sense of satisfaction ... when we give away all of the money we raised,” said Hemmens, a volunteer for the past five years. “I get this chill all over because the recipients are so appreciative and thankful.”

Camarillo Hospice, the longest-standing recipient of donations from Meadowlark, relies heavily on the money to keep offering its free services. This year the hospice, which does not have a fund-raising arm, received $17,000 from the charity.

“We would not be able to survive without the kind of help we get from Meadowlark,” said Sandy Nirenberg, executive director of Camarillo Hospice, which offers care and counseling to people facing a life-threatening illness. “We would have to start charging for our services.”

Gary Erikson, a fund-raising consultant with offices in Ventura County and Los Angeles, said Meadowlark is rare in several respects, including the financial and organizational skills that members bring to their job.

“It’s wonderful,” Erikson said of Meadowlark’s accomplishments. “There’s not another group like them in Ventura County that I know of, especially one that has been doing it for 30 years.”

While none of the founding Meadowlark members are still with the organization, the club’s history has been handed down through the years by word of mouth. The group’s beginnings reach back to the early 1950s when it was an auxiliary to the Children’s Home Society of Los Angeles.

In 1971, the group decided to focus its efforts locally instead of in Los Angeles County. And over the years, its fund-raising campaigns have evolved from card parties and luncheons to an annual food tasting festival, a holiday home tour and a tennis tournament.

Mary Little, 67, the longest-serving active member of Meadowlark, acknowledges the work can be challenging.

“It’s a funny thing: You initially join because you want to do something to help, not really realizing how much work you will be doing,” said Little, the group’s treasurer and a member for 10 years. “Once you get involved there is this shared goal and you don’t bother counting the hours you work.”

Volunteers keep their expenditure low by performing as many tasks as possible -- printing brochures on a member’s home computer, for example. If they are unqualified to tackle a task, they seek out professionals to donate their time.

Meadowlark’s president, Cindy Cuen-Neff, believes the success of the group’s sponsored events can be attributed to the members’ hard work, adding that little of the money raised goes to overhead.

“We may buy a $500 dress at Nordstrom’s for ourselves, but when it comes to Meadowlark, we pinch every penny so it goes to the charities,” Cuen-Neff said. “We all have this common cause of making money for the charities.”

Annual dues are $15 for an active member and $125 for an associate member. After three years, a member can opt to be an associate, which means paying more in dues but not being required to attend meetings, purchase tickets or volunteer.

Five-year member Amy McDade recently opted to become an associate because she and her husband are adopting a baby.

“By staying an associate, I can always go back once my kids are older,” said McDade, a Camarillo resident. “As an associate, you can choose how active you want to be.”

Meadowlark volunteers are preparing for the 16th annual Taste of Camarillo, the group’s largest fund-raiser. Held on the last Sunday of July, the event offers treats from more than 46 county food providers and more than 100 types of wine and beer. This year’s event will also feature a live wine auction with items donated from area wineries.

Last year’s event raised more than $50,000.

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The 16th annual Taste of Camarillo will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $45 in advance or $50 at the door. Adolfo Camarillo Ranch House. For tickets or more information, call 987-3028 or 983-4575.