Hope is Blooming This Spring Thanks to Our Volunteers

“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” – Helen Keller

There is something about springtime that really lifts the spirit and gives a renewed sense of hope. I think it is quite fitting that April is also Volunteer Appreciation month. Our volunteers do indeed bring joy and connection to our clients and students.

Society for the Blind has been able to rely on a steady corps of volunteers this past year who put in more than 6,000 hours of remote service. The majority of volunteers were readers for Access News, our 24-hour news, information and entertainment telephone service. Thanks to our loyal volunteer readers, people with vision loss – and other conditions that make reading print difficult – have a reliable resource to stay connected and informed.

We also have a group of former clients who are now mentors for our Senior IMPACT Project. They, too, transitioned to providing remote mentoring for seniors learning to live with vision loss by offering their insights and tips on non-visual skills during online support groups.

As more events and activities open up, we are looking forward to the re-opening of our Bingo program in the coming months. Proceeds from Bingo support programs at Society for the Blind. Volunteers are a critical part of the Bingo program, with some 40+ volunteers helping to run four sessions per week.

The value of one hour of volunteer services in California is estimated at nearly $32. But to us, our volunteers are priceless. If you would like to volunteer at Society for the Blind, please visit the volunteer page on our website.

Another wonderful part of springtime in Sacramento is the Big Day of Giving, happening this year on May 6. This day of fundraising, hosted by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, is a fun and very important event for Society for the Blind and other nonprofits in the region.

This year, Society for the Blind has a goal to raise $17,000 to support our CareersPLUS Employment Training Program. Funds will enable us to update our classrooms and invest in adaptive technologies that will enable people who are blind or have low vision to get the skills and training they need to find or retain employment. Please join me on May 6 in support of Society for the Blind and all the great nonprofits in our community. Visit here to learn more and donate on Big Day of Giving or schedule your gift starting April 22.

Wishing you a wonderful spring!