Volunteer of the Week: Linda Satterfield

Name: Linda Satterfield

Age: 65

Family: Two sons, Erick and Floyd.

Residence: Yuba City

Occupation: Semi-retired from Raley's and am a caregiver.

How long have you lived in the Yuba-Sutter area? Since 1997.

Hobbies, interests: Sewing, I love camping, taking trips when I have time.

For what groups do you volunteer? The Regional Emergency Shelter Team, or REST, since November. The program provides shelter for homeless persons from November to April.

I am there for two hours every Saturday morning, getting breakfast ready, helping with such things as checking in for showers, providing for hygiene needs and fellowship. "They (the homeless) are our guests; we treat them that way."

I felt there was a need to do this. There was twice in my life, when I was very young, that I was homeless. It was very scary.

The Peach Tree Lane Church of Christ singles group, older people who want to serve the community, for about 31⁄2 years. We make things for the homeless, provide food. We also serve the men and women who serve the community — once a year we make bags of cookies and give them to various groups including the fire and police departments, Hands of Hope, the Rideout Cancer Center, Casa de Esperanza and A Woman's Friend.

We do this because they do so much. I feel there are times they are not appreciated. They need to be recognized just like anybody else.

The singles group meets once a month but we do extra activities. We're always thinking of ideas, either for our church or our community.

In the past, I was a Girl Scout leader. I didn't even have any children yet. When I was young, the Girl Scouts showed up at our door one day with a box of goodies, food and stuff, for the family. I never forgot that.

When my boys were young, I got involved with the Cub Scouts and was a schoolroom mother.

Why volunteer? Not only does God tell me to serve others, most homeless do not choose to be this way. Whatever the reason I feel the need to help.

How do you fit volunteering into your schedule? Between working, church and Bible study classes, most of the other time goes to volunteering.

Words of advice: There's so many places to volunteer in this town. ... You can find places to volunteer if you have the heart to do that.

When I started to volunteer, I didn't think I could do that. But it is very rewarding; seeing the response from people is the reward. Most people are grateful for what you do.

Quote: "Caring for others is who I am. I love my job in volunteering."

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