BVP Newsletter - January to March 2026

BURBANK VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

January - March 2026 818.238.5370

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www.burbankca.gov/BVP

Welcome 2026!

Dear Volunteers,

We wish you a very happy and healthy New Year! This past year has been a very successful year for our Burbank Volunteer Program. We can’t wait to see what 2026 has in store for us. Every year the dedication and devotion our volunteers show never ceases to amaze us. With each new year, we here at BVP strive to make the program better for all of you, and give you all a volunteering program that gives you as much benefit as you give to us. So once again we thank you for sticking by us through another year! On the bottom right on this page you’ll see some statistics about volunteering - we thought you should get a bit more insight to what really drives volunteers to provide the service that they do! With this new year, we plan to carry on with DIG, but we’re also bringing in some more Plant for a Greener Burbank events so make sure to stay up to date with us to get more information for the event.

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bvp@burbankca.gov

* Pg 2 - Volunteer Opportunities * Pg 3 & 4 - Featured Stations * Pg 5 - BVP Puzzle * Pg 6 & 7 - Volunteer Highlights * Pg 8 - Puzzle Answers

With a multitude of active volunteer stations, we have something for everyone! Students may need to fulfill hours for a school requirement or they may explore volunteering as a fulfilling experience. Adults and retirees may choose to continue to use their skills and experience to help others. A positive by-product of volunteering is making new friends!

According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps over 75.7 million people in the U.S. formally volunteered (helping others through organizations like food banks and other non-profits) between September 2022 and September 2023).

With sincere gratitude, we thank you, our many volunteers, for your continued service and your ongoing contribution to build a strong and vibrant community. The Burbank Volunteer Program has grown so much with countless volunteer projects as well as special events over the years. You are the ones who share your time, talents, skills and experience for those in need. You are the ones who make a difference in the City of Burbank. We could not do this without you.

Between 2021 and 2023, the biggest relative gains in formal volunteering were among: • Millenials (ages 27-42) • People with incomes under $25,000 • Individuals with less than a high school diploma • Asian, Native Hawaain or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic Americans

To find out more about the Burbank Volunteer Program, please contact us via email: bvp@burbankca.gov. You can also contact us by phone at 818-238-5370 or simply drop by our office, which is located at the Joslyn Adult Center, for more information. The Burbank Volunteer Team, Derrick, Camryn and Jess

So, what’s driving people to lend a hand: • Flexible opportunities that can fit into a busy schedule • A chance to make a tangible difference on issues they care about Activate Good 2025

VOLUNTEER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES S.W.A.T.

DIG BURBANK! Lend a hand and help keep our local parks beautiful! To learn more about DIG, tips on signing up, and upcoming DIG Days, visit our website: www.burbankca.gov/digburbank

Are you (S)omeone (W)ith (A)vailable (T)ime who wants to volunteer here and there? If so, our S.W.A.T program will be a great fit for a busy schedule with ample free time!

PHONE PALS

PROJECT H.O.P.E.

Phone Pals allows volunteers to build a friendship with willing seniors. This program pairs volunteers with seniors to give each other companionship, as well as a social release from the comforts of your own home.

Project H.O.P.E. partners volunteers with seniors who are in need of assistance ranging from grocery shopping, to picking up prescriptions and more. Each volunteer builds a trustworthy relationship with their senior, allowing them more errands to run.

For more information on these opportunities and others, contact the Burbank Volunteer Program: bvp@burbankca.gov h (818) 238-5370

FEATURED FEATURED STATIONS STATIONS Stough Canyon Nature Center brings nature access to the community by providing educational nature programs and hiking opportunities. The Nature Center is a perfect place for volunteers who love nature and being outdoors. Docents will also learn more about their local wildlife and native plants. Volunteering opportunities at the Nature Center includes: • Animal Care: The Nature Center has seven animal ambassadors • Stewardship Projects such as planting native gardens, trail maintenance, and trail camera maintenance • Assistance for such events such as Earth Day, Native American Day and Haunted Adventure • Assist with monthly hikes • Assistance and support with our programs, such as nature classes and our nature camps.

Education Through Music LA is a non-profit organization that provides weekly, year-long music instruction in the disciplines of violin, cello, guitar, recorder, chorus and general music to under-served schools. Volunteer positions include: -

Office Volunteers

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Accompianists

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Event Volunteers

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Teaching Assistant

ETMLA’s mission is to promote the sustainable integration of music into the curriculum of at-risk schools, and to provide music instruction to every child regardless of musical ability, social stratum, economic status or disability.

FEATURED FEATURED STATIONS STATIONS Home Delivered Meals (HDM) is a program whose sole purpose is to provide nutritional assistance to participants by delivering a well-balanced meal right to their home. Their program is available to Burbank residents who are age 60 + and who are homebound by reason of illness, disability, or isolation. Participants are not required to pay for meals, however a $2 per meal voluntary contribution is suggested. As a HDM volunteer, your responsibilities will be as such: • Driving a pre-determined route • Loading meals in vehicles • Packing and delivering meals to various patrons

American Cancer Society Discovery Shop is an all items donated high-end thrift store, run by the American Cancer Society. The Discovery Shop sells everything from home décor to clothing and donates 91% of their proceeds towards cancer funding research. Even if a donated item has been deemed unsellable, the Discovery Shop still donates it to a non-profit charity names Hope of the Valley. A number of volunteer shifts await at the Discovery Shop: • Steam/clothes presser • Donations sorter • Cashier • Pricer • Display person There are two Discovery Shop locations under BVP: Burbank: 3516 W Magnolia Blvd Toluca Lake: 10124 Riverside Drive (currently full) For more information on the American Cancer Society/Discovery Shops, please visit: cancer.org/involved/donate/more-ways-to-give/discovery-shops-national.html

BVP BVP PUZZLE PUZZLE

ACROSS: 2. March is associated with this color for “luck” 3. This calendar phenomenon only happens every four years 5. The holiday that celebrates love 8. This civil rights activists’ birthday falls on _____, January 19th 9. This January zodiac sign is “the goat” 13. People make New Years ______ to motivate them to accomplish a goal in the New Year 14. The most commonly given gift on Valentine’s Day is _______ DOWN: 1. January’s cloudy weather is a reflection of this season 4. This February holiday celebrates Washington’s birthday 6. This major basketball tournament is called “March _____” 7. This season starts on March 20th and is known as the _____ equinox 9. The Roman god of love who has become a symbol for Valentine’s Day 10. A leprechaun can be found at the end of a rainbow with a pot of _____ 11. This is the most popular New Year’s resolution 12. This is a symbol of luck if you find one with four leaves

Volunteer Highlights

Barbara DeVall You could say volunteering has been a lifelong thread for Barbara, as her mom was always involved in service, so giving back felt like a natural part of life. As her kids were growing up, she was able to explore her interests in volunteering, since she deeply herself involved in their sports programs. This involvement opened the door for Barbara to volunteer with the Boy Scouts, an Air Force kids academy, and the PTA. These days, she spends most of her time helping with travel and the On The Move program at Joslyn. Supporting people as they get out of the house, try something new, or simply enjoy a change of scenery brings Barbara a lot of joy, and she especially love encouraging children as they discover their passions and build important life skills. We here at the Burbank Volunteer Program are so grateful to Barbara for her service and constantly positive attitude!

Volunteer Highlights

Betsy Scott Dennis Volunteering has been a lifelong passion for Betsy, something she’s returned to again and again throughout her life. Betsy’s mother worked in a nursing home, and helping out there when she was young sparked her empathy and love for supporting others. Over the years, Betsy has been involved in many different programs—today she volunteers with the Burbank Nutrition Program, Home Delivered Meals, and Project Hope, and earlier in her life she educated high school students about AIDS prevention and even worked in HR for a nonprofit, recruiting volunteers to help expand their impact. Betsy says that what keeps her committed is the connection: “You often see the same people year after year, and building those relationships is incredibly meaningful. It makes me happy to know that my efforts brighten someone’s day.” It’s volunteers like Betsy that really make an impact in people’s lives, from educating the youth to providing services for her senior population, Betsy’s unwavering want to help is what makes our program so special!

PUZZLE ANSWERS

ACROSS: 2. March is associated with this color for “luck” 3. This calendar phenomenon only happens every four years 5. The holiday that celebrates love 8. This civil rights activists’ birthday falls on _____, January 19th 9. This January zodiac sign is “the goat” 13. People make New Years ______ to motivate them to accomplish a goal in the New Year 14. The most commonly given gift on Valentine’s Day is _______ DOWN: 1. January’s cloudy weather is a reflection of this season 4. This February holiday celebrates Washington’s birthday 6. This major basketball tournament is called “March _____” 7. This season starts on March 20th and is known as the _____ equinox 9. The Roman god of love who has become a symbol for Valentine’s Day 10. A leprechaun can be found at the end of a rainbow with a pot of _____ 11. This is the most popular New Year’s resolution 12. This is a symbol of luck if you find one with four leaves

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