All Companies Great and Small

When the need is personal.

    If the holidays were rather distracting, then April—National Volunteer Month—is an excellent time to take stock of past contributions and future goals. According to United Way of the Bay Area’s fourth annual Nonprofit Pulse Survey in 2006, 92 percent of organizations depend on volunteer and in-kind support to serve their community. Fortunately, says Rocky Beach, UWBA volunteer manager, “The number of people volunteering in recent years has increased in the state of California, especially the Bay Area.” Last year alone saw 7.27 million volunteers—a rise from 6.21 million in 2003.
    Bay Area employees are encouraged to volunteer by UWBA’s Week of Caring in September, in which employers offer a paid day off so an employee may offer volunteer hours, doing anything from construction work to helping at food banks or day care centers. Beach says the corporate environment is definitely changing. “Companies are really encouraging their employees [to give back]. It’s corporate responsibility from a strategic standpoint—the benefits are increased retention and teamwork. Most employees want to work for companies that care.” He refers to Valero Energy Corporation, which has a refinery in Benicia, as a “model company.” In 2006, Valero employees donated 272,000 hours—and approximately 19,600 of those hours came from the Benicia employees.
    But volunteers can also make a difference on a much smaller scale, as Debbie Bell knows. Debbie and Brian Bell’s son Carter was diagnosed at 2 months old with neurofibromatosis, an incurable genetic disorder that causes benign tumors to grow throughout the nervous system. Potential complications include blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities and developmental delays.
    Carter had his first surgery for hydrocephalus at 8 months old. By that time, Bell says, “We were scared and realized we wanted to learn more about NF and the effects it might have on our son.” More than that, “we realized the psychological need for local support. Carter is lucky because of his strong support system, but there are so many who don’t have this. Our prayer is that by the time he is old enough to say neurofibromatosis and to understand what it is, he won’t have to dread future tumors because there will be a treatment for them. Until then, we can only come together and offer support to each other.”
    The Bells looked for other families likewise affected, and began holding meetings in January 2004. She was quickly encouraged by other support groups to affiliate with NF, Inc., a national organization; her group became a 501(c)3 charity, NF, Inc. California in June 2004 and in its short history, has reached hundreds of California families through its mailings and events. It has also participated in local and national symposiums and conferences and held support group meetings and fundraiser events, such as the annual walks which began in March 2005.
    Like many organizations its size and age, it is enduring growing pains. Its only source of income is through the recycling of ink cartridges and cell phones; everything else comes from Bell and the volunteers. “I am passionate about neurofibromatosis and am glad that I have the opportunity to give this condition a voice,” she says. “But I do need more help in accomplishing our goals. We have our walks, as well as a symposium in Sacramento and our ongoing fundraisers. Even seemingly small donations such as a few hours of service, office supplies or a postage machine help in conserving precious resources. Every little bit helps.”
    Bell continues, “I love our volunteers. We have a handful of very dedicated individuals who share our passion. Some are parents of children affected by this condition, battling many of its side effects. Others are caring individuals who recognize a worthy cause. We rely on their strength.”

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