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Coastal View News • Tel: (805) 684-4428
Passion for volunteering becomes a personal journey CVn
mission possible barbara dunlap Mary Crowley began volunteering in Carpinteria while her children were very young, and she’s continued for decades. When her husband nominated her for Carpinterian of the Year in 2015, he compiled a list of more than a dozen local organizations she has served over the years. The Chamber of Commerce honored her dedication by selecting her for that prestigious award. The groups Crowley has volunteered with include Carpinteria Beautiful, Girls Inc., Carpinteria Education Foundation, Carpinteria Valley Historical Society, Rotary Club and Carpinteria Woman’s Club—and that’s just a sampling. Recently, she’s had to limit her activities due to health reasons, but she remains passionate about volunteering—especially with Relay for Life, a cause dear to her heart. Q: Why do you feel it’s important to volunteer? A: I choose to volunteer because our community is so special. Yes, it’s beautiful, but the people here are even more beautiful. Community is the soul of Carpinteria. I started when my children were in preschool, and I guess I became addicted, as I’ve never stopped volunteering. I helped in classrooms, with fundraisers and with after-school sports and activities. Q: How does volunteering enrich your life? A: It has introduced me to new people, points of view, ideas and energy. I’ve learned a lot and had a lot of fun, too. Volunteering also has shown me the warmth, kindness and generosity of others. I’ve been the recipient of so much encouragement and support from our wonderful community.
It’s a Gift That Gives Both Ways Consider a Gift Annuity
Q: You volunteer for a wide variety of causes. Why is Relay for Life particularly important to you—and what roles have you played in it? A. For the past eight years I was a team member at Relay for Life, and my main duty was to fundraise and raise people’s awareness of the cancer crisis in our lives. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched or affected in some way, either personally or with a family member or friend. I have been a speaker at some of the relay events and shared my story and motivation. This year, I became a team co-captain, and my duties mostly are to recruit team members and assist them in reaching their personal fundraising goals. Q: Why did you start to volunteer with this program? A: I began as a team member in the first Relay because I’d had a horrible year in which I lost at least four friends and acquaintances to cancer. It was so frustrating that there wasn’t anything I could do to help them. I’d lost both of my grandmoth-
ers and my grandfather to cancer and had an aunt and a nephew who had it too, so fundraising with Relay was my way to help fight back against all types of cancer. After my second year of participation, my daughter got a rare ovarian cancer (she is fine now), and I got an even rarer ocular melanoma. After my initial treatment, my cancer metastasized and now I am undergoing immunotherapy. I feel incredibly lucky as these new immunotherapy treatments have only come about in the last couple of years—due to research and funding supported by efforts like Relay, the American Cancer Society and other cancer-funding organizations. Needless to say, I continue to volunteer because it has become a very personal cause.
Help Wanted
Relay for Life of Carpinteria raises money and awareness to help save lives from cancer. To learn more or to volunteer with Relay, visit cancer.org or call Eric Knight at (310) 498-4096.
Barbara Dunlap is a journalist and the founder of GrandNannies, a babysitting referral service in Carpinteria. For more information, call (541) 952-9007 or visit GrandNannies. blogspot.com.
2016 SeaSonal Flu Shot CliniCS • Flu Shots are available while supplies last. Dates are subject to change depending on the availability of the flu vaccine. • New and Current Patients Welcome. Pediatrics must be Sansum Clinic patients. Pregnant women can attend any Adult Flu Shot Clinic. • No Appointment or Physician Referral Necessary. (except at Lompoc Pediatric Clinic) • No children under 12 years of age will be given the flu vaccine at Flu Shot Clinics other than the Santa Barbara and Lompoc Pediatrics Only Clinics. • For the Lompoc Pediatric Flu Clinic listed below you must call to schedule a reserved dose. Lompoc Pediatrics: 737-8760 • We will not give any other vaccines at the Flu Shot Clinics. Please see your primary care physician if you need other preventative care. • A $20 donation is requested. Costs for your Flu Shot can be billed to your insurance provider for Sansum Clinic patients with insurance information on record. SANSUM CLINIC ADULT FLU SHOT CLINIC LOCATIONS: SANTA BARBARA: Sansum Clinic, Pesetas • 681-7500 215 Pesetas Lane Friday, October 21 1 pm – 4 pm Sansum Clinic, Pueblo • 681-7500 317 West Pueblo St. Friday, September 23 1 pm – 4 pm GOLETA: Sansum Clinic • 681-1777 Goleta Family Medicine 122 South Patterson Ave. Friday, October 28 1 pm – 4 pm
CARPINTERIA: Sansum Clinic • 566-5080 Carpinteria Family Medicine 4806 Carpinteria Ave. Friday, October 14 1 pm – 4 pm LOMPOC: Sansum Clinic • 737-8700 1225 North H St. Friday, October 21 1 pm – 4 pm SOLVANG: Sansum Country Clinic • 688-3440 2027 Village Lane, Suite 102 Saturday, October 1 9 am – Noon
PRESCRIPTION PHARMACY, FRIDAY WALK-IN FLU SHOT CLINICS: Extended hours beginning September 2 through January 27 at these locations. Prescription Pharmacy at Sansum Clinic Prescription Pharmacy at Sansum Clinic 317 West Pueblo St. • 682-6507 215 Pesetas Lane • 964-4831 Friday afternoons, 1 pm – 5:30 pm Friday afternoons, 1 pm – 5:30 pm
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