Volunteer Spotlight: Paul Zuckerman

Throughout National Volunteer Week (April 21-27, 2013), we will spotlight four of Lakeshore’s valuable volunteers. Today we recognize Paul Zuckerman.

PAUL ZUCKERMAN

Paul began volunteering just over a year ago in March 2012 and has logged over 150 hours at Lakeshore. On most Fridays you can find him in the fitness center but he has also volunteered at just about every tournament Lakeshore has hosted since he began here.

“Volunteering at Lakeshore has allowed me to give back to the community,” said Paul. “Initially my thought was to work with the military-related programs but in reality I spend my time with regular folks from our area, and this has worked out even better than I could have imagined. Prior to volunteering at Lakeshore, I had no idea of what many of our neighbors go through on a daily basis in dealing with their disabilities. Whether being in a wheelchair, blind, experiencing a TBI or one of the many other situations I observed in the gym, Lakeshore members are awesome and this is displayed in their attitude and approach to dealing with their situations.

This has been an eye opening experience for me. If I had not volunteered I would not have met London or Ralph or Stacie or the dozens of others friends I have made. Also the wonderful staff at Lakeshore who give their hearts to their jobs. People know when someone provides a service just for the money or if the ser- vice provided comes from the heart. There is no way Carol and her staff could properly do their jobs without the love and compassion they bring to the gym each and every day.”

We thank you Paul for all your time and dedication!

 

Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week has grown exponentially in scope each year since, drawing the support and endorsement of all subsequent United States presidents, governors, mayors and other respected public officials.

National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It;s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, in unison, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals. National Volunteer Week is about taking action, encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change — discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to foster positive transformation.

National Volunteer Week is not only our moment in time to celebrate our volunteers, but to enable a nation to share ideas, practices and stories, wherever they happen thereby shaping a movement to re-imagine the notion of citizenship in the 21st century.