BVP Newsletter | July-September 2026 by Burbank Parks and Recreation

818.238.5370

Happy Summertime!

Summer is upon us so make sure you stay hydrated while you’re out volunteering and having fun! We love your dedication to the program, but remember to go out and do activities you enjoy - take full advantage of the warm weather with beach days, picnics and all things in between.

As always, we here at the Burbank Volunteer Program try to find different ways to show you all how amazing you are! This month, we looked internally to see which volunteers have been putting the most hours into their stations. Of course, every single volunteer is impacting the community for the better by donating their time, but the ones listed in the graph to the right have gone above and beyond. Within this year alone, our highest ranking station is the Burbank Animal Shelter with over 8,000 hours! Once again, we want to thank you all for your dedication and motivation to bettering our community with each and every hour you donate.

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!

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.

To find out more about the Burbank Volunteer Program, please also 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

*Pg 2 - Volunteer Opportunities

*Pg 3 & 4 - Featured Stations

*Pg 5 - BVP Puzzle

*Pg 6 - Connection of Generations *Pg 7 - Rock-A-Hula 2026 *Pg 8 - Puzzle Answers

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

PHONE PALS

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.

S.W.A.T.

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 t for a busy schedule with ample free time!

PROJECT H.O.P.E.

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.

Active Stations

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

FEATURED STATIONS FEATURED STATIONS

Home Again Los Angeles is a human and social services agency dedicated to helping unhoused and low-income families throughout our community. Through compassionate support and impactful programs, we provide emergency shelter, eviction prevention assistance, food distribution services, a daily lunch program, and access to shower and laundry facilities for those in need.

We invite individuals, families, community groups, and corporate teams to volunteer and make a difference. Volunteer opportunities include:

• Pantry and warehouse support

• Sorting donated items

• Preparing grocery orders for distribution

• Intake volunteers to greet and assist community members seeking services

• Providing and serving dinner to families residing in our emergency shelter program

Note: a) Some volunteer positions require heavy lifting. b) Home Again LA recently merged with Burbank Temporary Aid Center and the new merged entity is now called Home Again LA

Burbank Animal Shelter (VBAS) is a volunteer based organization that works toward caring and housing stray cats, dogs and other animals. In order to volunteer at the Burbank Animal Shelter, there are a few requirements. Due to the various shifts that are offered, a station orientation and shadowing are to be completed before you are able to volunteer and you must be 18 years or older. The possible shifts you are able to do are listed below:

• Clean and care of animals and cages

• Socializing animals

• Assisting adoptions

• Hike Program

• Programs and events (i.e. National Night Out)

Please Note: Volunteer jobs work in steps; you will need to work your way up to do more adventurous activities.

For information regarding orientations and more requirements please visit:

thevbas.org/volunteers/adult-volunteering/

FEATURED STATIONS FEATURED STATIONS

The Joslyn Adult Center (JAC) is a vibrant senior recreation center dedicated to helping older adults stay active, engaged, and connected through a variety of social, educational, wellness, and enrichment programs. Volunteers play a vital role in creating a welcoming environment and enhancing the quality of life for our participants. If you’re looking for a meaningful and rewarding way to give back to your community, JAC is the perfect place to get involved.

Volunteer opportunities include the following:

• Assisting with recreational, educational, and wellness programs

• Supporting special events and community activities

• Providing front desk and administrative assistance

• Helping participants navigate technology and digital resources

• Welcoming guests and fostering a friendly, inclusive atmosphere

• Sharing talents, skills, or hobbies through volunteer-led activities

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 named Hope of the Valley. Several 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

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 PUZZLE BVP PUZZLE

To welcome in Summer, can you find 15 differences between these two images of a snowman just trying to get gorgeously tan?

A Connection of Generations through Project H.O.P.E.

Story by Elisa Accardi (former BVP Recreation Coordinator)

The Burbank Volunteer Program runs a program called Project HOPE (Helping Others Prosper Everyday) that pairsvolunteerswith clients who are age 55 years or older to assist its clients to live independently. Project HOPE serves needs inthreeareasincluding: Marketing, Friendly Visitation, and Telephone Reassurance. I would like to share with you a great story of friendship that developed between two unexpected individuals.

Chrissy, age 80+, reached out to the Burbank Volunteer Program looking for some assistance in getting groceries. She lived on her own and was extremely capable of taking care of herself but needed some assistance with getting groceries weekly. She was looking for someone who was compassionate, patient, and understanding. After a half hour conversation about family and life, I was committed to assisting Chrissy as best as possible.

Sabrina, age 35+, had recently come to me looking for a volunteer opportunity. Her mother had passed away 6 months prior, and she felt this program was a chance for her to give back in remembrance of her mom. I reached out to Sabrina and shared information about Chrissy and what she was looking for. Sabrina was very interested and eager to assist Chrissy immediately Upon meeting in person for the first time, Sabrina and Chrissy immediately connected and the relationship looked real promising

It has been 17 months since their initial meeting and almost every Thursday since then, Sabrina says “I take her groceries and spend time with Chrissy. In exchange, she shares her memories and wisdom with me”. Sabrina has made this a family affair, including her 9-year-old son, Bryce, on the weekly outings.

Earlier this week I reached out to Chrissy and Sabrina to check-in and I asked them what they had gained from Project HOPE that was unexpected. Chrissy laughed and replied, “A warm friendship.” Sabrina’s response was, “A lifelong buddy. Chrissy’s my angel. It fulfills something inside of me that I can’t explain.” Sabrina added that her favorite part of the program was the reassurance that Chrissy has everything that she needs to get through to the next week. “It’s so rewarding and satisfying knowing my mother would be so happy to see her grandson (Bryce) serving individuals in need.”

I asked Sabrina to describe Project H.O.P.E. and her response was, “it is important to elders in the community that we provide something like this so that they have options. It doesn’t take much time - 1.5 to 2 hours a week. So many people need the help.” She said that it was a great way to give back to the Burbank community.

Project HOPE is more than just a volunteer program. It intertwines generations and builds support and relationships between individuals that may never have crossed paths. This program allows the older adults of Burbank to engage with other community members and build meaningful relationships with caring and compassionate individuals.

If you or any one you know is interested in being a volunteer or needing some assistance, please contact Derrick Baker at 818-238-5370 or dbaker@burbankca.gov .

An Invite to Rock-a-Hula 2026 An Invite to Rock-a-Hula 2026

This coming September, come celebrate with Joslyn Adult Center’s annual Rock-a-Hula Event! If you are unaware of this event, Rock-a-Hula is a FREE, fun, Hula-themed pool party for Burbank seniors, 55 and older. The event will be held at the McCambridge park pool and invites you to join in on free food, Hawaiian themed music, dancing, decoration, contests and activities. This event is a festive environment that promotes socialization, conversation, and laughter!

This event is managed by staff and volunteers, so if you’re interested in attending the evnt for fun, or you’d like to help staff out with running aforementioned activites, help crowd control, or lei people - we’d love to have your presence either way!

PUZZLE ANSWERS PUZZLE ANSWERS

To welcome in Summer, can you find 15 differences between these two images of a snowman just trying to get gorgeously tan?