Socialites!

The Socialites event at the Culver City Center is a great volunteer program. I’ve volunteered a handful of times and have enjoyed it immensely.
It’s hard work and you must be a self starter. It would be impossible for the organizer (and yes, there is usually one organizer) to direct every volunteer.
Here are my tips for volunteering:
1. find the person in charge and introduce yourself
2. ask what needs to be done right away and do it
3. introduce yourself to other volunteers and ask them for help
4. when one task is done ask the person in charge for the next task or help out other volunteers.
5. respect the Socialites and make the evening about them as this maybe the only time of the month they get out to socialize
6. have fun, these people are great!

Finally catching up on some reviews and forgot to review this volunteer event on December 11, 2010.
Socialites is a great volunteer organization that organizes a monthly get together for the elderly disable that takes place in Culver City. This event was their Christmas party filled with food, fun, dancing, gift exchange and an appearance with Mr and Mrs Claus. This is such a big event that some of the elderly were driven here all the way from Sacramento! How cool is that!
I really didn’t know what to expect but I did have a great time. As with any volunteering event there is always going to be a little disorganization. If there wasn’t, it would be a job and not a volunteered event. With that in mind, if you do volunteer here or anywhere else please remember patience is key. Roll with the punches.
Some of the efforts included:
1 — party setup (blowing up balloons, setting up tables and chairs, table setting, etc.)
2 — serving meals, drinks and desserts
3 — clean up
4 — escorting the blind to and from tables or bathrooms
The best part was interacting with the elderly. They are very friendly and love to socialize. While chatting with a fellow volunteer who has been doing this for many years, I found out that some of the elderly have been coming to this monthly event for such a long time that they have developed a romantic relationship with the other participants. How cool is that! Elderly disable finding love at a monthly social event! Who needs online dating?
I’m looking forward to going back and volunteering once my work schedule lightens up.
A big THANK YOU goes out to Darren, Mary and all the other volunteers who make these events happen for other people.