Dedicated to quality of life

Pauline Ferguson often notes that she is “crazy,” but not in a bad way; she is crazy about giving her time to all that brings benefit to her community.

She moved to the United States in December 1996 from her hometown of Montreal and brought her sense of volunteerism as a way to promote a better community. For as long as she could remember, Ferguson said her mother devoted much of her time to getting her children involved in volunteering.

When she lived in Canada, Ferguson was involved with Girl Scouts for 30 years. She also volunteered with a convalescent hospital and with the Red Cross. During the summer, she was a counselor at a disabled children’s camp.

She moved to the United States soon after marrying her Canadian-born husband. She was lonely upon arriving in Glendale. Ferguson and her husband had one car at the time, and he only knew the people in his office, but that didn’t stop her from meeting people.

A neighbor introduced her to the Neighborhood Services Division, and before she knew it, she was a representative of the Committee for a Clean and Beautiful Glendale, a volunteer organization dedicated to quality of life issues.

Yasmin Nouh: What was it like for you coming here from Canada?

Pauline Ferguson: When you come from another country, you’re coming in cold. If you don’t open doors, you’re just going to be sitting at home and complaining, which I don’t do. I’m a people person. Leila Tompkins, a wonderful lady and a [former] writer for the social column in the Glendale News-Press, got me and my husband involved with Keep Glendale Beautiful.

Q: What made you decide to serve on the committee?

A: I’ve served as a representative for 10 years. I originally came in with Keep Glendale Beautiful. I just like to be a part of something, and I think it’s important to know what’s going on in your community.

Q: Why did you decide to spend most of your time with Neighborhood Services?

A: They were very well put-together and very professional. Whenever I called in with a problem, they got on it right away. They are very helpful and very kind. I get satisfaction from working with them. We’re actually working with Neighborhood Services in hosting “Summer Night on the Plaza” on July 31. ... And all the money goes to supporting the committee, which has great services, like the Adopt-A-Block program.

Q: What’s it like being an Adopt-A-Block participant?

A: Every morning and afternoon I walk down and pick up everyone’s garbage. It’s usually leftovers from the schoolchildren and cigarettes. I take care of the 900-even side of the West Glenoaks Boulevard block.

Q: What do you personally do to help out?

A: I recycle everything. I believe that if everyone does a bit, it can help out a lot. I bring my newspapers to the Glendale Assn. for the Retarded. I bring my newspapers there once a month and they recycle them. Some of them actually live on my street. When I walk my dogs, they recognize me and greet me with the happiest hellos. It’s just so sweet.

You know, those are the wonderful things. Those are the sweet things we must have in our lives. My parents raised us with kindness and love, and it shows. If you can do something, you help other people.