Suzie HarrisonWhile most of us demand a...

Suzie Harrison

While most of us demand a steady paycheck for our steady work and

often head off to the job site grudgingly, Betty Blakeney has been

showing up to work at the Costa Mesa Senior Center with a smile and

without a paycheck in sight since 1995.

Blakeney, assistant volunteer coordinator for the center, says she

will continue the work as long as she is able.

“I recruit volunteers, assign them as needed, process their

applications -- we get many,” Blakeney said. “We usually ask new

members if they’re interested in volunteering, and sometimes we put

it in the Chronicle [the center’s newsletter] -- we do it at the end

of the fiscal year, in July.”

She said they have about 200 volunteers. They just had a

celebration recognizing the volunteers who worked more than 40 hours

in 2002.

“The seniors are a terrific and supportive group,” Blakeney said.

“I never get tired. Everyone is so grateful and willing to help.

There are 24 or so different volunteering opportunities throughout

the year. We do different things, fund-raisers and parties.”

One of their biggest events is called Showcase -- it’s a juried

art show for everyone 50 and older who has produced a piece of

original art.

“Every medium is welcome. It’s a juried show and has an awards

dinner,” Blakeney said. “It’s a really big program, so we don’t do it

every year.”

She said it’s very labor intensive and is a great way to raise

funds for the center.

“It’s just a dynamo, with people in their 100s participating,”

Blakeney said. “We welcome everyone in the community to show their

art work.”

Other big events that require the help of volunteers include Monte

Carlo Night -- a casino-themed fund-raiser -- a luau, the Ho Down in

the fall, their Fourth of July celebration, the Valentine’s event,

Thanksgiving and other holiday parties.

“Right now, we’re in desperate need of drivers to deliver to the

homebound in Costa Mesa, to deliver home meals,” Blakeney said. “That

only takes an hour of the person’s time once a week.”

The also have a full schedule of activities every day that require

volunteers. So the opportunities are available for people to do what

they enjoy. The senior center accepts people of any age as

volunteers.

“My favorite part is just talking to people and just getting great

cooperative response from everyone. It makes it a lot of fun,”

Blakeney said. “I’ll continue to do it as long as I can.

“I hope I’ve made a difference,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to

me. The main goal in life is to do something rewarding that helps the

community.”

For more information, call Blakeney at (949) 646-2313.