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Thursday, February 28, 2008

Seeking Rewards? Volunteer

By Rory McClannahan
Mountain View Telegraph
    Giving of yourself is the greatest reward. Sometimes I feel guilty because I don't give enough of myself— especially when confronted with those who give a lot.
    Before entering the Air Force, the most constant line of advice I heard was to never, ever volunteer for anything because I might end up having to do something horrible. This really never jibed with me, mainly because I had already volunteered to serve my country.
    And once in the military, I found that when officers and sergeants were looking for volunteers, they depended on that fear of volunteering. In reality, I ended up doing things that were enjoyable. For example, during basic training an officer came looking for a couple of us recruits for a special assignment. At the time, our squadron was cutting the extensive lawns around the base.
    I ended up spending the day as a courier, delivering packages and such throughout the base with little supervision.
    Another time, I spent a day helping out with the Miss Texas Pageant. Not bad duty, I must admit.
    I've volunteered for lots of other things over the years. Not all of it was fun, but there is always a satisfaction that I was helping.
    But what I do is nothing compared with some of our neighbors here in the Estancia Valley.
    Take Roger and Marci DeLeon. The couple volunteer their time with the Rio Grande Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, or CASA. The organization's volunteers serve as advocates for children in court. To become a volunteer with CASA, you have to go through an initial training, then have additional training every year afterward.
    Then there are people like Harlan Lawson, who owns the NAPA store in Edgewood. Lawson organized other business owners in Edgewood and Moriarty to create a business crime watch.
    Or how about Michael Lott, an East Mountain High School student who teaches chess to kids at Edgewood Elementary School?
    Lott, Lawson and the DeLeons were just some of the volunteers recognized during the Seventh Annual Edgewood COW Awards last Saturday. The event has grown each year, and there were about 200 people packed into the Edgewood Middle School cafeteria for the ceremony.
    In addition to Lott, Lawson and the DeLeons, awards were passed out to Cheryl Gurule, DJ's Doghouse, Zoo Animal Hospital, Friends of the Estancia Valley Animals, William Kaiser, Leslie Gaztambide, Step Up Child Care as well as Erica, Carla and Cari Anaya. Awards also were given to Lori Harris, Jessica Self, Bill and Nola Gilmore, the Edgewood/Stanley Fire Districts, Kristina Perea and the New Mexico Coalition for Community Recreation.
    When they got their awards, many seemed embarrassed by the attention.
    In the end, though, any of them can tell you that giving of yourself is reward enough.
    Contact Rory McClannahan at 823-7102 or online at editor@mvtelegraph.com.
    FOR THE RECORD
    A story which ran in the Feb. 21 Mountain View Telegraph contained incorrect information. Wild Earth Guardians, formerly Forest Guardians, is considering options to appeal a Feb. 14 order by Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department Secretary Joanna Prukop including district court.