Charlene Smith

• Name: Charlene Smith

• Age: 71

• Family: Sons, Greg, Doug and Jeff; 12 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren

• City of residence: Linda

• Occupation: Retired licensed vocational nurse

• How long have you lived in the Yuba-Sutter area? Moved here in 1974 from Riverside; owned Gem Tavern for nine years on Lindhurst Avenue

• Hobbies, interests: I'm an avid reader and I quilt.

• For what groups do you volunteer? The American Cancer Society for nine years. I am a nine-year cancer survivor and wanted to pay back for God's saving me.

I've had cancer twice, in 1998 and in 2000, and major surgery — four months later I started working for the Cancer Society, just working in the office at that time.

About five years ago I started in "Road to Recovery," driving patients in the Yuba-Sutter-Colusa area to medical appointments. I get close to the people I drive and keep in contact with a few of them.

I have also been a legislative ambassador for the American Cancer Society for about five years and go to Sacramento and Washington, D.C., and talk to legislators about such issues as cancer, smoking and health. We undergo continuing training as ambassadors.

I was also on the society's Leadership Council and have made quilts — featuring handprints of the local ACS office's volunteers — that now hang in the office.

In addition I have been active in Relay for Life and Daffodil Days since 2000.

I quit volunteering for about four months when my husband, Jerry Smith, got ill; when he passed away I got back in. I needed to get out of the house and do something.

I volunteer with the American Cancer Society because of how cancer has affected my family — I lost my sister, my father and my husband to it, and now two of my daughters-in-law have cancer.

Cancer doesn't care who you are, if you're working or not working, rich or poor.

In the past I was a volunteer for the Democratic organization in Riverside and when the boys were little I was a Cub Scout leader and involved in Little League.

• How do you fit it into your schedule? I have nothing else in my life but volunteering — and my dog Bonnie, a miniature schnauzer. I got her the day after my husband's funeral.

• Words of advice: Do something and keep your life active and busy. If I didn't have volunteering I'd probably be sitting at home.

• Quote: "It gives me pleasure to help others. I feel blessed because I can."

Volunteer of the Week runs Tuesdays on the Local page. To submit the name of a volunteer to be featured, contact Leticia Gutierrez, Community Editor, at lgutierrez@appeal-democrat.com or call 741-2400.