A sense of community

I am a native Burlingame resident, now living in San Francisco, who will be home for the holidays as usual next weekend. This year I thought it would be nice to help serve or deliver food to those who are elderly, disabled, sick, poor or alone during the holiday season. I did a google search? to see what I could find in the area. While I found countless websites about our community and even some suggested ways to better our already rather booming economy or improve the look of our shopping areas, I was never once directed toward avenues to help the less fortunate Burlingame residents.

I am saddened to see that as we continue to strive to make Burlingame an increasingly vibrant and wonderful place to live, we seem to have forgotten to include everyone in our community.? While our publications, city government and community sites make an effort to vocalize and engage residents, why not also make a direct attempt to involve people in the practice of helping others? After all, what makes Burlingame a truly wonderful place to live is not just neighbors sharing sugar, people picking up trash, its thriving economy or the politically-minded residents it's the real sense of community within Burlingame. We must all continue to encourage one another to come together and support everyone, especially those in need.

My hope for 2006 is that Burlingame residents, press, politicians, business owners and leaders will remember the meaning of community throughout the new year!

- Written by Emily LoSavio

Comments

[Joanne]

Emily, there are many fine organizations in Burlingame that reach out to the elderly, sick, sad and poor in our community. Perhaps they just don't have websites. I would guess that most, if not all, the churches and temples in Burlingame have some outreach to the needy on a daily or weekly basis. You might also try calling the Samaritan House (its in San Mateo, fairly close to San Mateo High School) or Call Primrose. Both organizations do alot to help the needy in our area.

[sue]

Yep, I'm right there with you, Emily. There are so many people in this town with more money than they know what to do with, in addition to an excessive amount of time on their hands. Each member of this community should feel the need to reach out and touch someone, and not just during the holiday season.

Dear Emily, A very important organization is Shelter Network where 10-12 congregations host amazing programs. My children and I volunteered years ago when the guests were staying at St. Catherines so I know what a great worthwhile organization this is.

Shelter Network,
1450 Chapin Avenue, 2nd Floor,
Burlingame, CA 94010
Telephone : (650) 685-5880. Fax : (650) 685-5881
General Email: [email protected] To volunteer: [email protected]
Website is http://www.shelternetwork.org/participate.html#individual

[Cathryn Baylock]

The organization that houses homeless families in our churches and synagogues is1) San Mateo County Interfaith Hospitality Network: www.NIHN.org/ ph:652-1103. They will be housing families this week (December 26th-Jan 1st) at St. Catherine's and always need volunteer help. Another is 2) Society of St. Vincent de Paul: www.svdp.org/sanmateo or 343-9495. 3)HIP housing helps match families to share affordable rental housing as well as providing help in its own properties: www.hiphousing.org or 348-6660. This is not a complete list as there are many fine organizations in our community who would love help. I hope others will add names of other organizations as well.

[Joanne]

Another idea, Emily, if you haven't thought of this already, is to contact Mills-Peninsula. They have a volunteer organization that may need help distributing flowers, caroling, etc. There is also the Retirement Inn (now called something else but it's the assisted livign center aross from Washington Park) Our church group caroled there, but if singing isn't your thing, maybe you could just visit with the folks or bring some flowers ....elderly who do not have family love having a young person around. There is also the Burlingame Villa (behind Prestons' that has Alzheimer patients). Also, our police and fire departments, who of course have to work on the holidays, might appreciate some flowers or a song or two. Volunteer opportunities abound, but you're right, I don't think you're going to find them on a central website. Maybe if your tech savy creating such a site could be your volunteer contribution to our community?

[Joanne]

Hi again. Well, Emily, I'm just full of ideas this morning. If I may presume, I'm presuming you are young (under 30) and I'm thinking that there is a big tech gap between the charities (most of which are funded and get their volunteer help from those who, as Sue put it, have excess money and excess time -- which usually puts them over 50...and this is the age group which is often less tech savy. I am over 50 and frankly it NEVER would have occurred to me to look for a volunteer opportunity by doing a google search. All this is a long way of saying that it seems to me that another volunteer opportunity for you or somebody else would be to contact the different charities in town and ask them what they need and then post it on this, already-existing, website. The charities probably don't think to "advertise" for help this way, but this site posts civic meetings and school events so I don't know why we couldn't add requests from the charities too.

[Joanne]

I forgot...there already is a central list...go to www.terrynagel.com and look at San Mateo County's Wish List....Anyone wanting to volunteer should be able to find ample opportunites this season!

[Joanne]

One of the families who is participating in the Interfaith Hospitality Network (see Cathy Baylock's comments above) is featured in a story in the San Mateo Daiy Journal today (see smdailyjournal.com) Thank you, San Mateo Daily Journal for giving visibility to this wonderful program that is supported, I believe, by most, if not all, the churches in Burlingame.
Emily, where did you find your volunteer opportunity this season?

[Emily]

Thanks everyone for the great responses! I love the idea of Burlingame creating some more tech savvy ways to bridge the opportunities to give with those who have time and resources to spare and yes, Terry's website is an excellent start!

This Christmas - and Easter - I kept my volunteering to the many non profits in the greater Bay Area that I already know....
www.sparksf.org
www.bayfund.org
www.cityteam.org
www.atthecrossroads.org

I will work on that website idea, though. I think we're all on to something and from what (relatively little) I know about technology it shouldn't be too costly or difficult to put together.

Emily, You sound like someone who has a passion for serving others. I along with my fellow Burlingame Lions Club members feel the same way. We can make a difference together.

I would like to invite you to join me for lunch as my guest on any Thursday at the Burlingame Lions Club. The Club has been volunteering in Burlingame since 1929 and has completed many projects and provided assitance to many right here in Burlingame. Please let me know if you are interested.

Russ