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out·stand·ing ˌ(outˈstandiNG) – Exceptionally good. Synonyms – excellent, marvelous, magnificent, superb, fine, wonderful, superlative, exceptional, first-class, first-rate; great, terrific, tremendous, super, amazing, fantastic, sensational, fabulous, ace, neat, awesome, bang-up, out of this world, smashing, brilliant “Our team of volunteers, staff, Board Members, Business and Community Partners are outstanding!” –I have said that exact sentence a […] Read More

This week I made my latest donation to Moms Demand Action and yesterday, I once again put on my shirt that states, “Be nice to each other, it’s really all that matters.” This quote comes Sandy Hook Elementary School Principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung. Dawn was among the 20 children and six adults gunned down inside […] Read More

What does it feel like to be part of the largest single day of direct action for community change in US History? Media coverage of the Women’s March focused on the power of acting together, the hope for change, the resolve to make a difference in the political life of our country. As you can […] Read More

Are you looking for ways to connect with our community in the New Year?  Martin Luther King Jr Day provides the perfect opportunity with options throughout the holiday weekend.  Check out the list of events from education and marching to community action, there is something for everyone. We hope you will  join us.   MLK […] Read More

As we close out the year it is the perfect time for us to reflect on how far you’ve helped us come as an organization. This month we will bring our 50th year of action to a close! Since opening our doors in 1967 nearly 200,000 neighbors have walked through with a desire to connect […] Read More

Since the beginning of the school year I have been volunteering to teach a weekly garden program in my son’s 2nd grade class. Last week marked our final class for the fall.  As a closing activity, I took a few moments to share with the class what I do for work at the Volunteer Center […] Read More

The headlines are unsettling- Walls, Bans, Deportations. Is this who we really are? The America that I love chose “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of Many, One) as our National Motto in 1776 because our founders realized that, as a nation of and for immigrants, our strength comes from our diversity. Unless you are a member of […] Read More

We want to invite you to participate in Make a Difference Day 2017 with projects available throughout Santa Cruz County on Saturday October 28th. Each year, millions of busy Americans take time out of their day to volunteer for their community, making Make a Difference Day one of the largest days of service in the […] Read More

We have received a number of inquiries from community members about how they can help respond to the Bear Fire. We appreciate your willingness to step up for your neighbors. Emergency crews are working around the clock to contain the fire. Volunteers are not needed at this moment. Please do not go to evacuation centers, […] Read More

I recently spent time in the home of a senior in Santa Cruz who reached out to Helping Hands for help with identifying hazard areas in and around her home that could cause her to fall. Mary explained to me that she had stopped visiting friends and going on walks because she was afraid of […] Read More

“A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.” – Confucius, Chinese philosopher This is a perfect description of Genie Dee, our Literacy Program Director at the Volunteer Center. Genie was driven, focused, committed, and lit up from the inside — unable to be deterred or distracted by the ravages of […] Read More

The Central Coast Chapter of the Red Cross is helping to dispatch individuals who want to provide Hurricane Harvey and Irma disaster relief. Efforts will be ongoing in Texas, Louisiana and Florida at least until November 1st. Do you want to volunteer as a Red Cross Shelter worker? If you meet the following criteria you […] Read More

The Call for Nominations for the 11th Annual Be the Difference Awards has begun.  The “Be the Difference” Awards are about honoring the individuals, groups, non-profits, and businesses who make Santa Cruz County  a better place to live through volunteerism. All community members are invited to share their stories of inspiration.  Have you worked alongside […] Read More

Join us as we say Cheers to 50 Years at our summer celebration happening on Saturday July 29th at the Sesnon House from 3:30- 6:30 PM. We are so proud to celebrate with you and to honor what we have accomplished together. So much has changed in the last 50 years. We’ve been through 4 […] Read More

Talking with seniors everyday has changed how I look at aging.  I realize getting older has a lot more to do with one’s attitude than age. Everyday I meet wonderful individuals who dispel misconceptions about what a senior looks and acts like. So many seniors I encounter seek to live in a way that not […] Read More

Give More. Grant Wishes. Make Magic We are so excited to celebrate with our community this Saturday May 13th at the 37th Annual Human Race Walkathon and Fun Run and we hope to see you there. All are invited to walk, run, skip, or roll with us. Bring your neighbors, friends, and family and enjoy […] Read More

Take action today to help seniors keep food on the table! Most days, the tempest in Washington DC seems far away and we are free to focus on doing good right here, right now in the community we love. Here is what was in my inbox this week – also received by the Directors of […] Read More

1967 was the Summer of Love in California. LBJ’s Great Society and the signing of the Voting Rights Act sparked activists in communities all over America to work for positive change. Marian McBee, Kathryn Merriam, and Margaret Schaeffer, three remarkable women inspired by their passion for helping others, set up shop at a loaned office space […] Read More