Organization: El Cajon Community Development Corp.
After retiring from a stressful job as a workers' compensation claims adjuster, Crest resident Yvonne Galyon wanted to give back.
She thought she might enjoy community outreach, so she attended an El Cajon Community Development Corp. meeting to learn more about the organization.
“It sounded so interesting,” Galyon said. “I told them to call me if they needed help with anything.”
And they did. Galyon became a bit of a chameleon with the CDC, doing “anything and everything they needed,” she said.
“It's a lot of fun,” she said. “I've been the receptionist, done data entry, even gotten mailings together.”
She used to go into the CDC office on Main Street in El Cajon twice a week but has had to cut back because of rising gas prices. Now, she does most of her volunteer work from home, inputting data on her computer and calling people in the community.
“I call them to invite them to meetings or seminars,” she said. “I enjoy helping people, and I feel that I'm helping people.”
What attracted her most about the CDC was its willingness to help businesses in the community.
“Not only do they help them open up their business, but they continue to help them increase their sales,” Galyon said. “They do a lot for the community.”
Galyon's positive attitude and generous spirit is vital to the organization, said Chapin Cole, resource development associate.
“Yvonne always comes to the office with a big smile on her face and is ready and willing to do anything she can to help out here,” Cole said. “She's extremely reliable ,and I know I can always count on her. We are so lucky to have Yvonne involved.”
During the summer, we will be featuring profiles of volunteers who are making the community a better place. Nominate a volunteer by sending suggestions to
sharon.heilbrunn@uniontrib.com
