Volunteers

At each of the Twilight Summer Concerts there are several Downey booths to promote various Downey associations. This is Nellie, Emily, and Ashley, who are helping visitors learn about volunteering for different activities in Downey. There is the 6th annual Downey Dia de los Muertos Art Festival coming up in October. Volunteers are also needed to help at the different shows and concerts at the Downey Theater. You can contact them at Boxoffice2@downeytheatre.org.

When you stop by their booth next week, register for a chance to win two tickets to the upcoming "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer." I won last year and took my grandson. We both loved the show.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” 
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Ready, aim...

The Memorial Day Ceremony at the Downey Cemetery is sponsored by the American Legion Post 270. The American Legion is a volunteer organization chartered by Congress in 1919, and is "committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans."

The Legion has a long history of accomplishments. Here are just a few of the significant dates and events, from the history page on their website:

• Aug. 9, 1921
  The Legion's efforts result in the creation of the U.S. Veterans Bureau, forerunner of the Veterans Administration. Today, the Legion continues to lobby for adequate funding to cover medical, disability, education and other benefits for veterans.
• Sept. 19-21, 1942: Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion is changed for the first and only time since it was written in 1919.  The word “War” is changed to “Wars.”
• Dec. 15, 1943
  Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery starts to write in longhand, on Mayflower Hotel stationery in Washington, the first draft of what will later become the "GI Bill of Rights" – considered the Legion's single greatest legislative achievement. Higher education becomes democratized after 8 million veterans go to school on the GI Bill, get better jobs, buy houses in the suburbs and raise families.
• Aug. 26, 1982
  The Legion presents a $1 million check to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for construction of the Wall in Washington, becoming the largest single contributor to the project.

Today, the Legion has over 2 million members worldwide. But local membership is declining, and there are no longer 7 volunteers for the traditional "21-gun" rifle salute. These four volunteers are Michael Murray (US Army), Richard Tuttle (Downey Police Dept), Johnny Croshaw (USMC), and Dean Wright (USAF).

The cookie monsters

It's that time of year again, where Girl Scout cookies pop up around every corner (and at your door) to tempt you. Lali (left) and Lisset have found a great spot to sell out their inventory in front of the local Stater Brothers grocery store. And of course I had to pick up a box of those thin mints!

Generosity

I've seen much evidence in my tenure as a Downey Daily photographer that the people of Downey are generous people: with their time, with their talents, and with their money.

This is one example of all three types of giving. The Downey Symphony Guild raised $15,000 for the Downey Symphonic Society, which handles the business end of the Downey Symphony. These two organizations are staffed with volunteers who give of their time and talents to raise funds and spend them wisely to bring Downey and the surrounding communities the beauty of classical music.

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."
~ Aesop

On display

As usual, Downey's Rose Parade float is on display at the Embassy Suites parking lot.

Gordon has been a volunteer helping with the floats since 2003. He is an enthusiastic and well-informed volunteer, and I learned a lot today.

• Downey has had an entry in the parade every year since 1952.
• Downey’s entry has the distinction of being one of only six floats which come under the parade classification of self-built. This classification means that the float
  is completely financed, constructed, and decorated by volunteer contributions and help.
• The Downey float travels the furthest to get to Pasadena, and usually arrives last on New Year's Eve. It takes about 6 hours to travel the 18 miles.
• The team of volunteers that accompanies the float has a lot of fun, hanging out on arrival with the five other volunteer teams, enjoying the camaraderie and fire pits. (This is in contrast to the paid workers who head home as soon as their job is done.)
• Knott's Berry Farm donated the horse and sleigh. The sleigh was donated several years ago, and the horse was donated this year when Knott's underwent some refurbishment.

Gordon's favorite story about this year's float took place at the judging. One of judges had tears in her eyes as she looked at the three uniformed servicemen who rode on this year's float. When asked about this, she replied that the servicemen reminded her of her own army son, who she wished could be "home for the holidays" (the theme for this year's float).

More tomorrow...

Crunch time

It's crunch time for the Downey entry in the 2015 Tournament of Roses Parade. With just two more days remaining to complete the float, there's a lot of work to be done, and the volunteers are appearing from all over. Everyone is welcome to help out in any way they can.

The horse is in pretty good shape, although this volunteer is pointing out an area still to be covered.

Some of the volunteers work on flower preparation, placing each flower in its own vial. (For a $2 contribution, you can put your name on the vial and the team will put it on the float.)

Others, such as this Junior Girl Scout troop, help keep the floors swept up.

A night at the concert

My wife and I went to Downey Theater last Saturday to see the Downey Symphony Orchestra. The theme of the evening was "World Cup Classico" in honor of the countries that will be competing in the World Cup competition this year. The guest soloist was Christopher Bartz on saxophone.

We went early to hear the music director/conductor, Sharon Lavery, give a pre-concert introduction of the music pieces that were being preformed that night.

Part of what makes the concerts possible are the many volunteers that donate their time and talents so we can enjoy an evening of beauty. Many of them work year round.

The next time to see the orchestra perform live is at the summer concert series at Furman park on August 6, 2014.

Eagle Scout project

On my way to the Farmers Market this morning, I came across these three volunteers painting a stop sign pole. They were doing this in conjunction with the Eagle Scouts LDS troop. It looked like Carlos Medina, along with Elders Rodriguez and Dunn, had a busy Saturday planned.

It never occurred to me to question who did projects like this around our city. I just assumed it would be the city.

Thanks for making our city a little nicer!

Cutting the ribbon

After seven years of planning, organizing, persistence, and patience, Treasure Island Park reopened today. The whole neighborhood and the entire Downey city council turned out for the re-opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Council member Roger Brossmer joked that the project "has moved at the speed of...government." Assembly member Cristina Garcia, newly elected just six months ago and on hand to present a certificate of recognition to the city, said that she couldn't take any credit for getting this project done—or for the amount of time that it took!

The newly equipped park had many contributors, including the LA Conservation Corps, First 5 LA, and Amigos de los Rios. Mayor Mario Guerra thanked neighborhood resident Luann Parker (left) for her leadership.

There's much more, too much to show you in a single post. And not just for the park—this is a busy weekend for Downey events, which you'll hear more about later this week.

"Downey Counts" volunteers

Last night I wrote about the first meeting at the Moravian Church to prepare volunteers to go out into the streets and document our homeless neighbors.

The intention is that once we have figured out how many homeless there actually are, we can be more effective in helping them and providing the services that are needed. For the next two nights, volunteers such as the ones pictured here will be hitting the streets to help.

Downey Counts

Counting the homeless in Downey:  Pastor Christie Melby-Gibbons of the Moravian Church of Downey has helped to coordinate an effort in our community to provide services for the homeless. Tonight was the beginning of that effort. A group of civic leaders (including Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard pictured above with Christie) and concerned citizens met at the Moravian Church for a training meeting in preparation for the first step—counting the homeless. Volunteers also prepared hygiene kits for the homeless who agree to participate in the survey. The kits include hygiene products, a fast food meal card, and a fleece blanket.

Mayor Mario Guerra attended. Here he is being recorded by Downey's own documentary filmmaker, Julian Park.

It's not too late to get involved. The homeless count and surveys will take several nights. If you are interested in helping, email Pastor Christie at christie@downeymoravian.org.

“Sometimes it's easy to walk by because we know we can't change someone's whole life in a single afternoon. But what we fail to realize is that simple kindness can go a long way toward encouraging someone who is stuck in a desolate place.”
~Mike Yankoski

The gift of joy

Dodger Stadium is only 15 miles northwest of Downey. My church volunteers during the baseball season to dispense the giveaway items to ticket holders. Working with the public lets us see all the different types of people. There are those that just want more stuff. They'll even sacrifice their integrity for another free item. They get their free item, then come back saying we didn't give them one when they went through the line, would we give them one now?

Then there are those, like this lady, that are pleased with the free gift we give them. And as you can see it gives us joy also. How do you serve others? Does it bring you joy?

Drought-tolerant beauty

A couple of months ago, we wrote about a volunteer effort to spruce up the landscaping at Furman Park with drought-tolerant plants.

Now, with a couple month's growth and the golden light from the setting sun, it's a beautiful sight.

Keep Downey beautiful

This morning as we were finishing a walk around Furman Park, we came upon a group of students who were working on the planters along the entrance of the park. They were volunteers to help "Keep Downey Beautiful."

For me, it was one of those moments when I realized that I had looked at the previous planters and thought they were ugly and dated, but did nothing to change it. Well, thanks to this group of volunteers, a local Downey resident, and a grant from Lowes, we have a welcome change and some beautiful, drought-tolerant plants. THANKS for working to make our city beautiful!

Thank you for coming

The Red Cross is always in need of volunteers—both blood donors and helpers. This helper (who just happens to be my daughter) was learning the ropes on her first day of volunteering.

The Red Cross holds frequent blood drives at the Masonic Lodge in Downey. The Masonic Lodge #220 has been part of Downey's history since the 1870s. Click here for more about how they got started in Downey.

All volunteers are welcome

Volunteers of all shapes and sizes are welcome at the Downey Rose Parade Float preparation site. Storm has been volunteering (along with his owner) all of his life.

Storm is 15 years old now and has arthritis in his feet. Unable to walk, he still comes in his wagon to woof his encouragement to the rest of the volunteer workers.

The 98%?

As reported in the Downey Patriot, the Downey Rose Parade chairman has pronounced the Downey Rose Parade float to be 98% complete. I guess it's the 98% that's under the hood, because the float looked pretty bare to me today, with just three days of work remaining.

But there were lots of volunteers working on the float, and no doubt it will be ready on time (on January 2 this year). So, I've got lots of pictures for you today—it's the only way to really communicate the incredible amount of activity taking place at the preparation site. And I'll be back there on Sunday night to show you the results.

Volunteers

Last Saturday we started our day watching empty water barrels being given away for disaster preparedness (see Ready or not). We spent a while there chatting with a number of the helpers. Many of them had been there since the wee hours of the morning. I don't know this woman's name, but she was one of the volunteers for the day. She was cheerful, greeting everyone with a smile and information to help in case of an emergency. She clearly enjoyed serving.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

Moscow Greeter

This is the Cathedral of Christ our Redeemer in Moscow (while it was raining). It was our first stop on the free walking tour we arranged with a group known as "Moscow Greeter". I initially learned of this group through TripAdvisor.com. What a great experience! And, it was so simple. I filled out an interest form on the internet and received a response in less than a day. Shortly after that, I was emailed by Zola, who scheduled to meet us at our apartment.

We were met by three Moscow Greeters, Zoya (pictured here), Alex and Alexi (who I believe started the Greeters in Moscow). Moscow Greeters is part of the Global Greeter Network, whose purpose is to match tourists up with volunteer locals who love their cities and want to share their favorite spots with visitors. It is an amazing opportunity for residents to help visitors"see" the city through the eyes of the people who really live here. For more information, click here.

We walked miles around the city, seeing things and exploring areas we would not have done on our own. In addition, we had a unique opportunity to chat with local Muscovite who gave us not only history, but a real feel for "their" Moscow.

Although it had begun to rain while we were in the cathedral, it soon cleared up. We climbed to the top of an area called Sparrow Hills and had an amazing view of the entire city. Overall, it was a good experience and one we would highly recommend. As you can see, the day cleared up and ended up quite beautiful.



Did I mention that we were also part of an interview done by the Moscow News? They were doing a two-page feature on the Moscow Greeter program. I can't wait to see how that turns out.

Editor's note: Joan and Pam are in Russia and Ukraine for a couple of weeks and will be writing occasional posts about their trip.

A stroll down memory lane

"A stroll down memory lane" is the theme for this years' Downey Rose Parade float. Tonight we visited the float barn to see the float for our first time. It was pretty amazing. This years float has a giant gazebo, water fountain, bridge (with a pond), and stone wall.

It was fun to watch volunteers gluing dried peas and seeds to the surfaces.


Although the Rose Parade has been a California tradition since 1890, Downey's first recorded entry was 1913. And, Downey is one of the few communities that still builds its own float with volunteers.

It's down to the finishing touches. Right now the flowers are soaking up as much water as possible. Tomorrow it will be time to start putting the flowers on the float. I think there will need to be more pictures to follow.

I need to also mention, this is our one year anniversary for Downey Daily Photos. We made it! We posted every day for a year.