We are almost halfway through 2025 - it’s hard to believe it but you know the old saying, time flies when you’re having fun! You may notice that to the right of this column, there’s a banner celebrating you as a volunteer. April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and that’s exactly how we want to spend April - by celebrating the people that not only make this program happen, but also impact and change lives daily. Whether you’re a phone pal, a library helper, handing out meals or even helping out our furry friends, you are making a meaningful impact in that person’s (or animal’s) life! It is clear to us, here in BVP, that your constant dedication and will to help your community has no bounds. From those of you who helped clean up our parks amidst the wildfires, to the ones helping behind the scenes and either donating or lending an extra hand to someone else, you are the reason our community has this ability to thrive, and we thank you for your service.
With a multitude of active volunteer stations, we have something for everyone! Students may need to fulfill hours for a school requirement, or they may explore volunteering as a fulfilling experience. Adults and retirees may choose to continue to use their skills and experience to help others. A positive by-product of volunteering is making new friends!
With sincere gratitude, we thank you, our many volunteers, for your continued service and your ongoing contribution to build a strong and vibrant community. The Burbank Volunteer Program has grown so much with countless volunteer projects as well as special events over the years. You are the ones who share your time, talents, skills and experience for those in need. You are the ones who make a difference in the City of Burbank. We could not do this without you.
To find out more about the Burbank Volunteer Program, please contact us via email: bvp@burbankca.gov. You can also contact us by phone at 818-238-5370 or simply drop by our office, which is located at the Joslyn Adult Center, for more information.
The Burbank Volunteer Team,
DIG BURBANK!
Lend a hand and help keep our local parks beautiful! To learn more about DIG, tips on signing up, and upcoming DIG Days, visit our website: www.burbankca.gov/digburbank
PHONE PALS
Phone Pals allows volunteers to build a friendship with willing seniors. This program pairs volunteers with seniors to give each other companionship, as well as a social release from the comforts of your own home.
S.W.A.T.
Are you (S)omeone (W)ith (A)vailable (T)ime who wants to volunteer here and there? If so, our S.W.A.T program will be a great t for a busy schedule with ample free time!
PROJECT H.O.P.E.
Project H.O.P.E. partners volunteers with seniors who are in need of assistance ranging from grocery shopping, to picking up prescriptions and more. Each volunteer builds a trustworthy relationship with their senior, allowing them more errands to run.
Active Stations
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop | Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center | S.W.A.T | Education Through Music LA | Boys & Girls Club | American Red Cross | Operation Gratitude | Burbank Temporary Aid Center | Joslyn Adult Center | City of Burbank Animal Shelter (VBAS)| City of Burbank Police Department | City of Burbank Library Services | Tuttle Senior Center| City of Burbank Nutrition (Joslyn, HDM, Tuttle) | Burbank Airport | BVP Mailroom | YMCA | City of Burbank Library Services *Coming soon - Mary Stoica Cafe and Senior Trips*
For more information on these opportunities and others, contact the Burbank Volunteer Program: bvp@burbankca.gov h (818) 238-5370
FEATURED STATIONS FEATURED STATIONS
The Mary Stoica Cafe is looking for vibrant, energetic, early risers, that would like to assist in our morning “conversation” cafe. Duties include: setting up and breaking down the café station, distributing coffee and pastries, handling money, and interacting with our wonderful patrons. Must be a people person, ability to organize, keep control, and work with public in a busy social setting. Physical ability to carry trays of pastries and to wash equipment at end of shift.
• Shift Time: 7:30 am-10:45 am
Interested? Please contact the Burbank Volunteer Program (818) 238.5370 or BVP@burbankca.gov
Joslyn and Tuttle Adult Nutrition is a working staff and volunteer-based program operating out of numerous sites throughout the City of Burbank. The City of Burbank’s Nutrition programs feed hundreds of adults 60 and older, ensuring that everyone that needs it, will have enough meals to suffice them for a week. The staff and volunteers take great pride in their actions by doing some of the following:
• Packaging lunches
• Aiding in check-in
• Distributing lunches
• Cafe Hours: 7:30 am-10:30 am McCambridgeRecreationCenteralsohandlestheHomeDeliveredMeals(HDM)program.
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop is an all items donated high-end thrift store, run by the American Cancer Society. The Discovery Shop sells everything from home décor to clothing and donates 91% of their proceeds towards cancer funding research. Even if a donated item has been deemed unsellable, the Discovery Shop still donates it to a non-profit charity names Hope of the Valley. A number of volunteer shifts await at the Discovery Shop:
• Steam/clothes presser
• Donations sorter
• Cashier
• Pricer
• Display person
There are two Discovery Shop locations under BVP:
Toluca Lake: 10124 Riverside Drive
Burbank: 3516 W Magnolia Blvd
For more information on the American Cancer Society/Discovery Shops, please visit: cancer/org/involved/donate/more-ways-to-give/discovery-shops-national.html
Operation Gratitude is a volunteer based organization that works towards showing both Military and first-responders that their service is valued and recognized. With the help of volunteers, they have sent a total of 3.5 million care packages full of morale boosting items that will give these heroes a familiar feeling of home and a token of appreciation from those back home. There are many ways you can volunteer with Operation Gratitude and contribute services such as:
• Completing pre-made packets at home or in the BVP office
• Donating items such as Beanie Babies, stuffed animals, toys, etc.
For more information regarding orientations and more opportunities, please visit: https://www.operationgratitude.com/
BVP PUZZLE BVP PUZZLE
Fit all the listed words into the grid, cross-word style, with one letter per square
Volunteer Highlights Volunteer Highlights
Pamela Cooper
Pam Cooper has been volunteering since she was 14 years old. Her father was in the Elks men’s service club and the Sertoma service club, so serving her community comes natural to her. As a member of various organizations in Burbank and surrounding communities, she continues to uplift those in need, serving as a facilitator of new projects and programs at Burbank Veterans Committee, the Burbank Temporary Aid Center, Grassroots for Pickleball, and supports wildfire victims and their equines. She contributes at the Joslyn Adult Center with knitting and crocheting for charities Operation Gratitude, the L.A. Medical Center, Ascencia Homeless Shelter, Avenues Pregnancy Clinic, and many more! Currently, Pam facilitates a program with the National Charity League, where she empowers mothers and daughters to learn yarn crafting for the military. Pam’s commitment to service and her involvement in the Burbank community demonstrates her passion for giving back.
Volunteer Open House
The Burbank Public Library is hosting a volunteer open house in April. If you’re interested in learning more about how you can be of service to our libraries, this event is perfect for you. The open house will allow you to explore volunteer roles at a variety of library stations. This event will allow you to meet the staff, ask any and all questions, and discover how you can get involved serving your community libraries!
This event is Thursday April 3rd, from 6-7:30pm at the Buena Vista Branch Library - 300 N. Buena Vista St. Burbank - 818.238.5620
EGG-Stravaganza 2025 EGG-Stravaganza 2025
Our annual EGG-Stravaganza event was the perfect way to welcome in the Spring months! From egg hunts and fun Spring games, to a picture with the bunny himself, this day could not have been better! This EGG-stravaganza could not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our beloved staff and volunteers. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to spend their Saturday with us! If you missed the event, or just want to relive the fun, take a look at some pictures from that day!
Thank you to all our donors as well, you were a big reason why this event was as successful as it was. The donations you graciously gave to us lit up the faces of so many children, and for that we are thankful for your collaboration.
PUZZLE ANSWERS PUZZLE ANSWERS
Fit all the listed words into the grid, cross-word style, with one letter per square
