TAPS provides teens and parents opportunity to volunteer together

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Q&A with Sonja Hongisto, Resident since 2002, and Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991

Kara: What made you want to volunteer for the Teen and Parent Service Group (TAPS)?

Sonja: I loved TAPS’ purpose/mission of offering high school teens a variety of meaningful community service opportunities. I fully endorse the pillars of TAPS to serve others with a joyful heart with no expectation of applause/recognition, to step forward to help as a leader or helper or do what is needed, and to be themselves a changed life by their experiences in TAPS. The vision for teens to graduate with a life-long interest in helping others and serving the community, striving to make the world a better place, stuck with me. In a world where teens are glued to their cell phones, reaching out beyond their high school circle to helping others in need is very important. My daughter has learned about being thoughtful and helping others whether through simple random acts of kindness (such as writing candy cane decorated thank you notes to her Northgate teachers before winter break) or participating in more formal organized activities, such as teaching underprivileged youth basic swim skills and water safety. To me, volunteering together is also one of TAPS’ highlights; our favorite TAPS activity is serving together a full turkey dinner to low-income families on Thanksgiving Day. Additionally, my daughter has developed valuable leadership skills, as class president, where she has organized and led meetings and service projects.

Kara: Why do you feel it is important to give back to the community?

Sonja: Walnut Creek and Diablo Valley are wonderful communities. We are very lucky to live here, but there are many residents that do not have the same opportunities as we do. One of the TAPS projects was assisting with Christmas at the Fair (at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds) this past December. This was a holiday festival day with activities, gifts from Santa, etc. Children were happy to receive one simple gift, a little attention from girls dressed as princesses, and have their faces painted. Bringing joy to these families was the biggest gift of the holidays. The pure joy of helping others is what keeps me volunteering. Smiles and words of gratitude are priceless.

Kara: Do you have a special story you want to share about your volunteer experience?

Sonja: When the fires struck Sonoma last fall, Cindy Greenberg (a TAPS mom) asked our leadership team how TAPS could assist our nearby devastated community. Together with Cindy, we quickly brainstormed ideas and by the end of the day, put a plan in place to collect food and supplies for the Redwood Empire Food Bank. A week later, we drove three very full truckloads of food and supplies, generously donated by our community, to Sonoma. The food bank was short on supplies and was so grateful that neighboring communities were helping out. As we left, we saw a long line of cars waiting for supplies and food and knew that the hours quickly dedicated to this project were more than worthwhile. The flexibility of helping those in need quickly and creatively is a wonderful feeling.

Last year, we also collected prom attire for foster teens for our own “Prom Project” and boutique items for a shopping day at a socioeconomic disadvantaged elementary school. At the boutique, TAPS moms and daughters worked with the elementary school children to select and wrap Valentine’s Day gifts for their moms. The children’s smiles and excitement made our work worthwhile. TAPS gives us a to wonderful platform from which to serve the community. New ideas are always encouraged and welcomed.

Kara: What advice would you give people who want to volunteer?

Sonja: I would suggest looking at your skills and interests and thinking about how you can make a difference. Look for an organization that offers flexibility and can work with your schedule. As a former TAPS Service Chair and President, my daughter and I volunteer for those activities that interest us most. To us, we enjoy activities where we can directly with those in need. However, for others more administrative volunteer roles, may be more appealing or comfortable.

Kara: How can people learn more about this volunteer opportunity?

Sonja: The TAPS recruitment drive for the next school year (2019-2020) starts this month (January 2019). For membership information, please e-mail danielarinard@gmail.com and for more information about TAPS and the community we serve, please visit our website at tapservice.org.