Volunteers Give Back

Playing By The Rules Greenhaven umpire has volunteered in all 50 states By Jessica Laskey September 2021 Alan McCullough has a large map in his office covered in baseball stickers. Each sticker represents the location of a Little League game he’s...

If you see two people in their late 70s weeding, planting or pruning in William Land Park, they’re probably Jeannie and Dale Claypoole, longtime Land Park residents who have made it their mission to keep the area beautiful.

“We’re advocates for the park,” says Jeannie, a certified Master Gardener and former school psychologist whose green thumb is behind much of the landscaping at McClatchy High School, along Sutterville Road and in Land Park. “If something’s not right, we try to find somebody who will make it right.”

Billie Hamilton was born to be part of the action. The River Park resident has spent her life educating people and fighting for causes. At 93, she’s going strong.

“I’ve always been an activist,” Hamilton says.

Her history proves the point. She’s a member of the Sacramento chapter of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby and has been involved with the Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, American Friends Service Committee and National Organization for Women.

If Cliff Popejoy could tell people one thing, it would be, “Get out and volunteer. It doesn’t matter how often—a few hours a week, a few days a year—just find a niche that appeals to you, create the time and volunteer.”

Popejoy has volunteered for the Greater Sacramento branch of the global housing nonprofit Habitat for Humanity for more than 30 years. He knows the joy volunteering brings. It can even start you on a new career path, as Popejoy learned.

Mary Alice Lewis knows what a difference a handmade item can make to someone in need.

Since 2015, Lewis and a group of fellow residents at the River’s Edge senior community off Fair Oaks Boulevard have raised money for Loaves & Fishes’ Mustard Seed School through the sale of handmade goods. They have raised more than $20,000 for the school, which provides free Montessori education and a safe space for homeless children ages 3–15.

“Mary Alice and the volunteers at River’s Edge have been supporting the children at Mustard Seed for years,” school director Casey Knittel says. “It’s wonderful to have their help because they are always so careful to make sure they understand exactly what our school needs. They have helped with everything from providing Valentine’s cards to buying Montessori materials for our classrooms to renovating our front office.”