April 2023

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month!   

Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) loves our volunteers! April is Volunteer Appreciation Month and we are taking this opportunity to celebrate our volunteers' accomplishments over the last year that have helped make BCHD programs stronger and more impactful. Your commitment to helping our neighbors live healthier, longer and more productive lives makes our community great. Without your help, we would not be able to touch as many lives as we do. Tune in to our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn channels April 16 - 22 as we celebrate your incredible volunteer efforts. 

Volunteer Impact

Here are just a few accomplishments to celebrate from this past fiscal year: 

• Our Conversation Companion and Errand Volunteer roster is re-built, and Older Adult Program volunteers have made 794 visits and 1,112 calls to 66 clients in the last year. 
• The greater community was invited back to help with the Holiday Gift Bag program last December where 245 older adults received deliveries from 135 volunteers. 
• 1,140 nutrition and garden lessons were delivered by hundreds of parent docents in Redondo Beach elementary schools as part of the LiveWell Kids program. 
• Beach Cities Volunteer Day in August, supporting the LiveWell Kids Garden program at eight Redondo Beach elementary schools, saw a great turnout with more than 100 volunteers and 10 organizations assisting. 
• Restaurant Ambassadors supported the 100+ Blue Zones Project Approved restaurants and reached out to potential restaurants. 
• Center for Health & Fitness volunteers have come back to support our growing membership of 2,000+ CHF members. 
• 29 Campus Greeters are in action again, greeting visitors with a warm welcome at the 514 building. 
• Our much anticipated allcove Beach Cities center celebrated their grand opening in January with covefest, where 50 volunteers helped run the booths, direct parking and give facility tours. 
• A 15-person Youth Advisory Group was assembled to help allcove Beach Cities. 

The Volunteer Experience 



We, at BCHD very much appreciate the help we receive from our volunteers throughout the year. You, too, have shared how your experience giving back to the community has been a benefit: 

I became an Errand Volunteer in 2021 and helped a sweet person, who I will call “Sally,” to keep her name anonymous. I helped Sally get groceries once a week. After a few visits I realized that Sally gained more than just grocery help from my visits, and that I was also a part of Sally getting a bit more social connection. Due to health reasons, Sally couldn’t get out easily and had a limited support system. Sally was very grateful for my help. She always sent me a text right after I dropped off groceries with a lot of heart emojis to let me know she was thankful to me. It was a pleasure to know and help her! – Eva A., Errand Volunteer 

Almost every BCHD volunteer I know says they are getting more out of volunteering than the client does. And it's absolutely true for me. I love hearing people's stories, especially from other generations. I hear about their childhoods, travels and people they've met. People and experiences are what make life interesting, and I've met some interesting people through volunteering. I hope BCHD's programs are still around (and more of them!) when I might need them. – Cheryl K., Conversation Companion 

I first joined the gym over 34 years ago and have been volunteering for about 30 years in different departments. In all of the various departments I have volunteered in I have met new people and friends. It has kept me busy as well as allowed me to help others. - Penny B., CHF Front Desk Volunteer 

The Blue Zones Project enabled me to meet many new friends throughout the Beach Cities. Through several Moais I have established a regular exercise schedule and am able to connect with friends several times a week. This is good for both my physical and mental health. – Teri C., Moai Lead 

What’s Happening This Month:  

Volunteer Services  

Department Highlight: Volunteer Services  

This month, BCHD will be highlighting all the great work and programming taking place from this department. Learn more about this program by watching the Volunteer Services Team present at the March Board of Directors meeting or view the presentation slides.  

Volunteer Services Talking Points & Upcoming Events:  

Volunteer with BCHD 

BCHD hosts 1,000 volunteers in 30+ volunteer opportunities throughout the District. BCHD volunteers have the opportunity to work in a variety of community-focused programs and play an integral role in improving the health and well-being of Beach Cities residents. For more information, visit www.bchd.org/volunteer. 

Recruiting Volunteers for Board Advisory Committees 

The BCHD Board of Directors is seeking qualified residents of the cities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach to serve on its advisory committees. Committee members serve two-year terms and have a direct impact on the health and wellness programs and services BCHD provides to the Beach Cities community. High school students are also encouraged to participate on the committees and serve a one-year term. 

To serve on a BCHD advisory committee, you must be a Beach Cities resident, submit a formal application and be appointed by the Board of Directors. Applications are available now for adults and current high school juniors and sophomores. Applications are available at https://www.bchd.org/advisory-committees and are due on Monday, May 1, 2023. 

Earth Day at Hopkins Wilderness Park 

Saturday, April 22 & Sunday, April 23 

Want to give back this Earth Day? Join the South Bay Parkland Conservancy and BCHD on April 22 and 23 in Redondo Beach as we support the Hopkins Wilderness Park in their conservation efforts to get ready for the 2023 season. Good clean fun for everyone! Click here for more information. 

Join us at the next BCHD Board Meeting 

All volunteers are welcome to attend Board meetings held on the 4th Wednesday of each month. 

This month’s Board Meeting will feature Mental Health Awareness Month and will be on April 26 at 6:30 p.m. 

Get information on upcoming meetings and leave public comments on agendas here: https://www.bchd.org/public-meetings.  

 We Want to Hear About Your Volunteer Experience… 

BCHD will feature all the outstanding accomplishments of our volunteers throughout the month of April! We are gathering testimonials so you can express the impact volunteering has made in the community. Our goal is to highlight the benefits of volunteering and encourage more people to volunteer. Please complete the survey below so we can capture your experience at BCHD. You will see your testimonials throughout our various communication channels through the month of April! Thank you in advance for your participation. 

RSVP for the annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch!

The Board of Directors and staff of Beach Cities Health District invite our active volunteers to join us for our annual Volunteer Recognition Brunch. We encourage you to come dressed in your favorite Spring Fling outfit to fit the theme!  We’d love to see you there!!! 

Interested in volunteering (getting back to it or taking the next step to volunteer) with BCHD?  

See below for what’s currently available and please stay tuned to our newsletters and website as new opportunities arise! Anyone interested is welcome to fill out our Volunteer Application at www.bchd.org/volunteer. If you are or have been a BCHD volunteer or if you have questions, you’re invited to email us at Volunteers@bchd.org. 

Administrative Office Front Desk Volunteer – High Need 

Our Admin and Community Services departments are looking for volunteers (18+) to help with telephone coverage; front desk screening of staff and visitors; periodic disinfection of shared spaces; mail and package distribution; badge making; supplies inventory; assembling marketing packets; assisting with Help Desk Ticket tasks and projects. Weekly 4-hour shift commitment on a regular basis is required.   

Center for Health & Fitness Front Desk Volunteer – High Need 

Are you outgoing and friendly and want to make a difference in your community? Come volunteer at the front desk of our Center for Health and Fitness. Volunteers check in and greet members as they arrive to the gym as well as provide additional assistance to front desk staff. Must be at least 18+ and commit to 2 hours a week. Shifts available: Wednesday, 8:30 – 11 a.m. or Sunday, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

AdventurePlex Adventure Assistant – High Need 

AdventurePlex is looking for volunteers (14+) to help staff with weekend birthday parties. Duties include monitoring adventure room, keeping facility area clean and safe, assisting with activities (arts and crafts, classes and rock climbing) and checking in/out guests at front desk. One three hour shift a week required: Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 12 – 3 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

AdventurePlex Camp Volunteer – High Need 

AdventurePlex is looking for volunteers (14+ ) to help kids play their way to good health at our AdventureCamp! Duties include monitoring adventure room, keeping facility area clean and safe, assisting with activities (arts and crafts, classes and rock climbing) and checking in/out guests at front desk. One shift a week required, Monday-Friday, either 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Available dates are as follows: 

• May 29 
• June 19 – August 25 



Campus Greeter – Morning and Early Afternoon Shifts 

Volunteers (14+) meet all guests who enter the 514 building while also providing general support and customer service duties for the full BCHD campus. Duties include greeting guests and tenants, providing information and referral to public, walking visitors to/from medical appointments or allcove upon request, maintaining a clean and orderly area and tracking volunteer hours worked. Must be friendly, helpful and able to push wheelchairs and walk around the campus. Weekly 2 or 3 hour shift required for one year; scheduling available Monday – Saturday. *Expected commitment for High School students is a semester or over the summer. 

Event Volunteer Opportunities

EVENT VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES 

It is important for Beach Cities Health District to be out in the community sharing our programs and resources with our residents. Take a look at the opportunity below. Follow this link to our sign-up page to be included in emails about upcoming events. 

THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS! 

Individuals (15+) interested in volunteering with the City of Hermosa Beach for their local events may send their contact information to info@hbchamber.net to get on their distribution list. Please be advised that these events are not managed or operated by BCHD and any questions or issues should be communicated directly to the city. 

Volunteer Hours

We are grateful for the 18,239 reported hours of BCHD volunteer service in 2022. This number includes calls made, visits to older adult clients, Center for Health & Fitness front desk check-ins, committee meetings, administrative support, grocery deliveries, prescription pick-ups,  intern projects, garden maintenance, and more. Thank you for your commitment to help the community! We know BCHD volunteers will continue doing remarkable things in 2023.  

Volunteer Hours to date are:

January: 2,256.42 

February: 1,424.42

March: 1,987.92

BCHD volunteers contributed 5,684.76 hours to our essential services for the community. Thank you!!

Volunteer Anniversaries

Although many of you still are not back to actively volunteering in your usual roles, we are grateful for your commitment. The many collective years of efforts toward a healthy beach community from our volunteer corps is truly incredible.

April Anniversaries

Jim Hannon, 11

Marlis Saunders, 10

Karen Blanchard, 5

Franny Stafford, 4

Wendy Weissman, 2

*Official years of service in BCHD system.

First & Third Tuesday of the Month, Virtual

(April 18 and May 2)

10 – 11 a.m.

Zoom link: https://bchd-org.zoom.us/j/87651635014 

2nd Mondays, In person 

(May 8)

2 – 3 p.m. 

Manhattan Beach Joslyn Center, Sunset Room 

1601 N Valley Dr, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266