Volunteers Give Back
The Art of Giving Back
Kerri Warner’s website describes her as a mixed-media artist, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. Warner is indeed a celebrated mixed-media artist known for collage, sculpture, mosaic and portraiture, but she’s also a deeply devoted community member who has held leadership positions at nonprofits such as Sacramento Ballet, HandsOn Sacramento and the California Conservation Corps Foundation. And she’s donated her artistic skills to dozens of community projects.
Splendor in the Suburbs
Barbara Safford is a breeze at conversation. The Carmichael resident and volunteer can talk to anyone about anything, which has made her an amazing asset to countless organizations over the years.
“I’m a people person,” she admits while we lounge in her beautiful backyard. She and her husband, Tom, have lived in this house on Stanley Avenue for 45 years, ever since they moved to Sacramento from their native Chicago so Tom could take a job.
By Bike or Trike
Michael Saeltzer has done plenty of volunteer work in his time. He’s helped out at his kids’ school, and he founded East Sac Give Back, which raised money to rebuild the McKinley Park playground when it burned to the ground in 2012. But he didn’t feel satisfied.
“I wanted to go out there and do something more profound and intimate—to give back in a tangible, meaningful way that nourished me at the same time,” he says.
Hands-On Help
If Gayle Kono could pick the one thing that distinguishes the Sacramento Senator Lions Club from other service organizations, it would be the group’s hands-on approach to volunteerism.
“We’re considered ‘the workers,’” says Kono, president of the local chapter. “Whatever needs to be done, we’ll roll up our sleeves and do it. Fundraisers are nice. It’s nice to have money to give back to the community. But our main focus is service projects.”
