How can I help my community? I have asked that question many times over the years. At times, I have described myself as “the volunteer who never goes away.” Currently I am privileged to be able to help my community as a member of the Mt. Lebanon Commission, a role in which I draw upon my previous experience with volunteer activities.
Many people volunteer here in Mt. Lebanon. It is one of the reasons Mt. Lebanon is so special. If you have not signed up to help, I encourage you to explore the many volunteer opportunities here in Mt. Lebanon.
Our youth sports programs are brimming with kids, and are always in need of volunteers. I coached softball for seven years, and we always appreciated the help from the parents, whether keeping the scorebook or operating the scoreboard. If your child plays a sport, please consider telling the coach that you are willing to help in some way, even if it is just for a game or a practice.
Another volunteer activity I enjoy is serving as treasurer of the Veterans’ Breakfast Club. We organize regular breakfasts and outings for veterans (and relatives of veterans) of all services and conflicts. It is an enlightening experience listening to people talk about how they helped protect our country. Our club can use helpers to distribute the name badges or serve as bus captains. If you escort a veteran you know to a breakfast, I believe both of you will enjoy the experience. To find out about an upcoming breakfast or outing, please visit www.veteransbreakfastclub.com [1].
As part of my Commission duties, I serve as liaison to the Parks Advisory Board. The board hears about the great work the Mt. Lebanon Nature Conservancy is doing creating trails in our passive-use parks and fighting invasive species in all of our parks. The conservancy needs more helpers. If you can devote a Saturday morning or two to improving our green spaces, please contact Deb Larson, drmclarson@verizon.net [2].
This month is an especially good time to help the environment, as it is Earth Month. This year’s Earth Day celebration in Mt. Lebanon Park is Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. As with all free public events, volunteers make the day go much more smoothly. To learn more about Earth Day volunteer opportunities, visit www.earthdaymtlebanon.org [3] and click on “Getting Involved.”
Finally, Mt. Lebanon has 18 volunteer boards and authorities that share their time and expertise with the commission. I have served on two of them—the pension advisory and the parks advisory boards. The Commission has just filled a number of vacancies because of expiring terms, but we always need new applicants. You can find descriptions of the boards and an application form at www.mtlebanon.org [4], click on “Government.”
And of course there are many other needs for volunteers, ranging from the library, the volunteer fire company and Relay for Life to the local Rotary Clubs, Family Hospice and Palliative Care and St. Clair Hospital.
This is just a broad overview of the many opportunities here in Mt. Lebanon for people who want to make a difference. If you would like to volunteer but do not know for what organization or project, please contact the Mt. Lebanon Public Information Office at 412-343-3407. They are aware of other volunteer opportunities in our community. I hope you will ask: What can I do to help?