Connie Cornelius

Age: 59.

Family: Husband, Bill; daughters, Julia and Jenna; a grandson.

City of residence: Yuba City.

Occupation: Retired teacher and I also substitute at local schools.

How long have you lived in the Mid-Valley area? More than 30 years.

Hobbies, interests: Taking care of my grandson, gardening, reading and crafts.

For what groups do you volunteer? Xi Sigma Omicron, a service organization that raises money for several programs including the local Special Olympics. I've been a member for about 25 years — when my husband was a volunteer firefighter in Williams, the wives were often members of sororities. I've stayed with the group because of its fundraising for programs that help families during the year.

Since working with the United Way Allocation Committee for one year — something I'd love to do again — I've been volunteering with the Salvation Army. I've been a bell ringer and helped with its 20th anniversary celebration dinner. Also, I work with the Iles Academy of Golf for Kids. I like to get involved in anything that has to do with getting kids involved in sports and the community.

Serving with the allocation committee made me realize all the groups and organizations that need help. It encouraged me to do more for the organizations. I want to do them all, but I can't.

I've been working with the Live Oak High School work ready certificate program for about the past five or six years. I used to help get the businesses and organizations to do the interviews. Now I also do mock interviews.

I have been involved with the Every 15 Minutes program, at Yuba City High School and previously at Colusa High School.

We have also helped with the Yuba Sutter Family of the Year since our family was selected in 2010 and plan to continue. Bill and I also helped with sober grad night celebrations at Williams, Maxwell and Arbuckle high schools for quite a few years.

I started helping with youth sports teams before our own children joined, because my husband was a coach. While my children were in school I helped out with their activities including with band boosters, athletics and Future Farmers of America.

I have plans to be in the next master gardener class in 2013. I still have other things to do, and plans to volunteer more.

How do you fit volunteering into your schedule? I just make time. It's important to give back to the community and the people who need help.

Words of advice: To volunteer, take the first step and find a cause that interests you. There's always time and it doesn't take talent, just a desire to make a little difference.

Quote: "I think it (volunteering) is the civic thing to do. I hope somebody would help me if I needed it."

Volunteer of the Week runs Tuesdays. To submit the name of a volunteer to be featured, contact Community Editor Leticia Gutierrez at 749-6552.