When I set out to write this column I wanted to focus on Kirkland volunteering, i.e. those residents of the greater Kirkland area becoming known for our “culture of volunteerism.” I’m getting almost daily contacts and suggestions for opportunities that I hadn’t even considered or known about. Thank you for responding!
I’ve recently had the opportunity to interview the principals and administrators of two terrific programs. I’m excited about these because they both provide multiple volunteer opportunities, training and orientation, flexible schedules and best of all are administered very efficiently! Thus said – onward!
LINKS Volunteer Program
I love it when there is a “wow” factor. Nanci Wehr is the LINKS program coordinator and has a fantastic program attempting to serve the needs of approximately 50 schools within the Lake Washington school District. LINKS (Looking Into the Needs of Kids and Schools) matches volunteers to student and school needs in the areas of: Lunch Buddies, mentors and tutors, classroom assistants and tutors (in reading, math, English, science, writing, and history etc.), and after school study programs, etc.
Volunteers are personally matched to specific teachers, classrooms, and students and training and orientation are provided. As of this writing, there are more than 65 opportunities. Some schools and teachers have a number of volunteers, some schools, teachers and students don’t have any. Currently there are volunteers in only 23 of the 50-plus schools. Did someone say “charge?”
The teacher, student and parent appreciation of LINKS volunteers is well documented. The testimony of existing and past LINKS volunteers is incredible.
Check out: www.lwsd.orglinks and nwehr@lwsd.org
The Office of Emergency Management
Residents of Kirkland can engage with their community in a variety of diverse ways. The Office of Emergency Management is supported by many volunteer programs including: Fire Corps, Map Your Neighborhood, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTS) and ARES (Amateur Ham Radio Operators).
My wife and I have participated in a number of these programs and have been able to engage our entire neighborhood in emergency preparedness. The CERTS program and the Map Your Neighborhood program as well as the others provide training, and support to volunteers throughout our region. Jennie Marker (an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer herself) administrates these programs and is a terrific resource.
Volunteers in this arena ensure the community is prepared to help each other in times of disaster when police, fire and utility support may be unavailable. First Aid, search and rescue, caretaking, communications, supporting other communities are all covered. Another key element within this opportunity is learning specifically about individual home preparedness. Knowing how to help ourselves makes us more capable of helping others.
Check out: www.kirklandwa.gov and jmarker@kirklandwa.gov
Bill LaMarche is a 36-year Kirkland resident, retired, and active community, national and international volunteer. His prior career focused on coaching and mentoring profit and nonprofit executives and company/organizational participants in professional development, leadership, organizational alignment and performance management. Send in suggested volunteer opportunities to the Reporter, attn: Bill LaMarche, to: letters@kirklandreporter.com
