On Friday, November 14^th, in the city of San Marcos, the North County Intergenerational Council hosted the first ever Art of Volunteering: Neighbors Helping Neighbors event.

The event’s inspiration developed from a deep-dive discussion within the North County Intergenerational Council where the ongoing need to recruit engaged, inspired volunteers was identified. For many of the agencies, not only do volunteers enhance their innovative and important work – they are the very lifeblood of the work. The Council decided a significant action step to support these agencies would be to create a volunteer event that would provide community members with more than just a volunteer fair.

The half-day event included keynote remarks from local leaders such as Chuck Matthews, Deputy Director of Health and Human Services Agency, North County Regions; and Greg Anglea, Executive Director of Interfaith Community Services. Both highlighted the importance and necessity of engaged individuals and civic-minded communities and inspired the building of bridges between volunteers and organizations.

The event also included a panel discussion, guided by questions from the audience, to highlight best practices and innovation.  The panel participants, who ranged from volunteer coordinators to program staff and government employees, provided a rich range of knowledge and experience in their particular fields. In addition, the sixty participants were motivated by inspirational videos and a fitness demonstration by CATCH Healthy Habits - a volunteer-led, intergenerational fitness and nutrition program. At the end of the day, participants had the opportunity to interact one-on-one with representatives from a variety of organizations at the Volunteer Fair.  

The Intergenerational Council is hopeful that this well-received, inaugural event has set the foundation for an annual effort that will continue to enhance the North County volunteer landscape for years to come.

For more information on the North County Intergenerational Council or upcoming Art of Volunteering events, please contact Brynn Viale, Intergenerational Coordinator at brynn.viale@sdcounty.ca.gov