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Dear Volunteers,

We hope you’ve been staying cool and comfortable this summer. Whether you’re going to the beach, a historical landmark, a cruise, or just lounging in an air-conditioner room, enjoy your time this summer session.

As you’ll notice to the right, there’s a very colorful graph showcasing four of our stations whose volunteers have been putting in an oustanding amount of service hours. You’ll see that these stations have already accumulated thousands of hours in the first half of this year. But they aren’t the only ones bringing in thousands of hours. These four volunteer stations/groups have served the most so far in 2025, and BVP wishes to acknowledge them. Well done!

Also for our 55+ volunteers, you may have heard rumors that day trips are coming back to the Joslyn Center, and we here at BVP are happy to confirm that our program will be coordinating these trips! So if you’re interested in becoming a travel volunteer, please let us know of you’re interest through our BVP email, which you can find at the bottom of this column.

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, Derrick, Camryn and Jess

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

For more information on these opportunities and others, contact the Burbank Volunteer Program: bvp@burbankca.gov h (818) 238-5370

FEATURED STATIONS FEATURED STATIONS

Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC) is a local food pantry and social service agency serving residents of Burbank and those who are homeless in the Burbank area. Providing groceries is BTAC’s primary service, distributing over $500,000 of groceries each year. For those who are homeless, BTAC has showers and laundry facilities, as well as sack lunches and groceries.

Opportunities for volunteers include:

• Pantry/warehouse volunteers

• Sorting donations

• Prepping grocery orders

• Intake volunteers helping meet and greet those in need of assistance

Notice: Heavy lifting is required for specific positions

BVP Office Assistant is a position where volunteers assist/support the Burbank Volunteer Program staff in their daily operations. Orientation is provided on the first day of work. Training is ongoing and is continual as new jobs present themselves. Volunteers are required to commit to serving a minimum of 20 hours within 90 days in the BVP office. Days and hours of volunteer service are flexible within the work week, between 3:00pm to 6:00pm. Volunteer duties will include:

• Computer/Internet Assistance

• Organize/File Documents

• Proofreading

• Prepare Spreadsheets

FEATURED STATIONS FEATURED STATIONS

Boys and Girls of Burbank and Greater East Valley is a place for kids in the community to call home. From an old firehouse in 1995 to the widespread locations that have popped up around the globe, the Boys and Girls Club offers an immense range of opportunities. STEM, arts, athletics, and homework help are just a few lost of services they provide or children. The Boys and Girls Club is always looking for passionate individuals to aid in the process of uplifting children of all ages.

Opportunities for volunteers include:

• Mentor

• Homework helper

• Group activities, such as arts, crafts and more

The Boys and Girls Mission Statement reads: To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Stough Canyon Nature Center brings nature access to the community by providing educational nature programs and hiking opportunities. The Nature Center is a perfect place for volunteers who love nature and being outdoors. Docents will also learn more about their local wildlife and native plants. Volunteering opportunities at the Nature Center includes:

• Animal Care: The Nature Center has seven animal ambassadors

• Stewardship Projects such as planting native gardens, trail maintenance, and trail camera maintenance

• Assistance for such events such as Earth Day, Native American Day and Haunted Adventure

• Assist with monthly hikes as well with our programs, such as nature classes and nature camps.

BVP SCAVENGER HUNT BVP SCAVENGER HUNT

Celebrate Burbank Parks and Recreation with a special educational scavenger hunt about Burbank Volunteer Program volunteer site landmarks! BVP volunteers will have an opportunity to enjoy searching for and learning about our different volunteer sites around the City of Burbank. Find them all and earn a nice ADIDAS brand prize!

Here’s how you win:

View all the modified pictures of the landmarks displayed on the next page

Read the “hints” given for each landmark

GO find the landmark and snap a “SELFIE” with you and each landmark together.

Bring your “selfies” to the BVP Office located in the Joslyn Adult Center at 1301 W. Olive Avenue.

If you find them all, you earn a prize! *Prizes available while supplies last.

Each hint correlates with the picture on the following page, for instance the hint labeled #1 willl correlate to the picture on the following page, also labeled #1.

#1. This sculpture, represents aspiration, growth, and the joy of reading and learning. Volunteers at this site enjoy serving in the TEEN PROGRAM, HOME BORROWERS PROGRAM, and the ADULT LITERACY PROGRAM, to name a few.

#2. You’ll find this landmark if go searching for a “Best Friend” and loyal companion. You won’t be in Jurassic Park, but you will find some very interesting creatures to play with! To volunteer here, you must be 18+ years old.

#3. This plaque is located on a wall of one of BVP’s Adult Nutrition Centers. It is displayed in an area that has hosted many DIG Burbank events. This past April, for Earth Day, volunteers planted over 10 trees in the park that is adjacent to it!

#4. This statue is a 7-foot water and bronze statue made by sculptor Andrea Favilli in 2001. Depicted on the statue are numerous animals, two children, and other nature imagery. When you find this landmark, ask how both youths, and adults can volunteer as docents assisting individuals to embrace their NATURAL surroundings and get a sense of adventure, inspiration, and wonderment around them.

*The BVP scavenger hunt experience is subject to cancellation or change without notice including, without limitation, dates, and prizes.

1 complete hunt (4 landmarks found including selfie) = 1 prize.

BVP SCAVENGER HUNT BVP SCAVENGER HUNT

#2.

#1.

#3.

#4.

Volunteer Highlights Volunteer Highlights

Joslyn and Tuttle Adult Centers’ Texas Hold’em Dealer and Bingo Operator

Jim has been one of BVP’s most dedicated volunteers, accumulating over 500 hours last year, and choosing to spend his time serving others. Jim Welch has been a card dealer and a bingo operator for over 6 years, both at the Joslyn Center, and the Tuttle Senior Center. Jim was introduced to the Joslyn Center 25 years ago, and not long after was when he began to volunteer. His dedication to volunteering stems from his enjoyment of not only the games he helps lead, but also being surrounded by others that want to enjoy life. With the little free time Jim has available, he is either golfing and caring for his grandson, however he chooses to stay busy doing something he loves - volunteering. Jim is a busy-body who enjoys being with a good group of people that want to have a good time - which he has found at both the Joslyn and Tuttle center. Jim’s dedication and feel-good attitude not only inspires those her serves, but our program as well, making us feel lucky to have him.

City of Burbank Nutrition Program for the Joslyn Adult Center

Cecilia has been volunteering with the Joslyn Nutrition Program for 20 years! Once she was introduced to the center by her friend, she knew she wanted to get back to what she knew and loved - helping people get the food they need. Before she retired, she made a career out of being a waitress and finding the nutrition program allowed her to re-enter the world she loved. Cecilia Greenwalt has dedicated most of her life caring for others, whether it be through Joslyn’s Nutrition program, being a caretaker for others, or volunteering for a Jewish Church’s pantry program, she finds ways to give to others out of the kindness of her heart. Cecilia’s friendly demeanor makes those who meet her feel cared for, which is one of the many reasons we feel lucky to have her be a part of our volunteer program.

Jim Welch

Cecilia Greenwalt

UPCOMING EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS

It feels like forever but Joslyn Day Trips are finally back in action! While we have the first few trips planned and in the works, we do still need some travel volunteers to aid our office in making these trips the best they can be. If you’re interested in being a travel volunteer, please send in an email to the Burbank Volunteer Program at bvp@burbankca.gov.

In just two short months, our Rock-a-Hula event is back again! This event is no short of fun, with fun games, good food and surrounding yourself by the pool, who wouldn’t want to be at this event. If you’re interested in being a volunteer for this event, keep an eye out for upcoming information and S.W.A.T. Requests from the office to be a part of the summer blowout!