Bobbi Marin -

I remember it was a Friday afternoon in December just before I got off work, I was getting ready to do my every other month volunteering project at the Burbank Center. I wasn’t feeling all that jazzed about going. Call it the holiday blahs. But I had committed to this project and was going to be there to encourage my volunteers and the people we were there for and have a good time! When I arrived there and saw all the happy faces that I’ve seen over and over, I was glad I went. It reminded me that they are why I volunteered for this project!
It was Matthew’s birthday and he was so excited when they called his name to come and get his birthday card. There was John, he knows all the states and cities within those states and rolls them out faster than I can think of them. Katie another young lady was there with her mom Lily. Mom said Katie was looking for a man! Oh my! She had her eye on a few handsome gents. I told her I would go with her to ask one to dance because she was shy.  Nick, a 6’4” handsome drink of water, was looking around the room for a dance partner. But then I spotted her across the room. In her wheelchair was my special girl, Perla. She was there with her dad. I went over to her and smiled. She smiled back and we waited for the DJ to play a song. Here it comes, one of everybody’s favorites:  “Y*M*C*A”.  We all danced and formed our arms to the letters of the song. Perla did the best she could waving her arms up and down. She always gets excited with this song. We clapped our hands and I spun her around in her chair. We smiled at each other and her dad wiped her mouth as she drooled with happiness.  She loves my granddaughter, Ashley. She prefers holding her hand and swinging her arms with her (sense a touch of jealousy on my part?)  Not one single bit!
You see, this is the monthly dance for the Mentally Challenged at the Burbank Center. Everyone is there to have a great time and dance, dance, dance. Some of the folks have Downs Syndrome, some are blind, others have various degrees of their illness, but no matter what their situation is, they are upbeat, and such great bunch of people to be with. They are always appreciative and happy. 
I don’t need to tell you the room went wild when Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus made their entrance. It was a joy to see the enthusiasm! Everyone was given a little stuffed toy and a candy cane. It was such a wonderful site. I thought of my grandkids that had so much more than they needed and here we were, among a group of people that were excited about just a stuffed toy and candy cane they had just received.
This dance project is the best medicine for the blahs, blues or even if you’re feeling a little low and/or beating yourself up for nothing. Take a look around, you are truly blessed!  If you think you have problems and life has handed you a wrong deal, STOP and look around you. You are blessed to have good health, and occasional minor challenges? They’re a piece of cake! You have to realize that these people have to live with daily challenges, more than we could ever imagine. Probably more than we could endure. I tell you, it is a humbling experience.
I remember one time when we were getting ready to leave, with a big smile on his face, Perla’s dad told me, “Thank you for dancing with my Perla.” You know, that has stayed with me until this day. Whenever I think the world has dealt me a bad hand, I just think about what he said and I know how blessed I really am.  I believe that you don’t just pay it back – you pay it forward, like the movie.
Various organizations provide beverages and goodies for us each month during break time, and that is always a welcomed treat. (Usually my dinner.)
A little about volunteering…
I have always had a passion to help people and give back to those that are less fortunate. There is no free ride in this life.  My friends call me the Volunteer Queen. Volunteering has helped keep me focused and humble. It has also allowed me to meet some of the greatest people of all ages that I probably would never have met otherwise. With every volunteer project I do, I am surrounded by goodness: good people taking their time to achieve something good for the betterment of the world and society.  There is nothing else I‘d rather be doing. L.A. Works gives me that opportunity.
No matter how much is going on around you or what you see on the news, or when you think the world is falling apart. Have faith! There are still good people in the world. I am encouraged when I see how many young people there are!  I take my grandkids with me to volunteer every chance I get. Otherwise, they wouldn’t know how lucky they are to be where they are right now.
There are hundreds of selfless volunteers everywhere wanting to give their time, service and energy to help someone less fortunate than them. My involvement with L.A. Works has been one of the most gratifying and enriching experiences of my life.
Community service is an actual blessing in disguise. It affirms your faith in humanity. It’s about giving in whatever form you choose. I chose to be a volunteer! I believe I am a better person because of it.

Humbly submitted,

…bobbi marin
L. A. Works Project Leader