Carol Farnham

Name: Carol Farnham

Age: 64

Family: Husband, John, sister, Joan Barb

City of residence: Yuba City

Occupation: Retired after 38 years as a dispensing optician

How long have you lived in the Yuba-Sutter area? Lifelong resident.

Hobbies, interests: I love to read and to sew.

For what groups do you volunteer? Early Risers Kiwanis of Yuba City, a member for about five years, current secretary and chairwoman of its School Supplies Program and the Trauma Doll Program.

I started both programs.

In the School Supplies Program we collect ink and laser cartridges and turn them in for school supplies. The seed money was $575 and we've given away about $3,000 in product, so far helping King Avenue, Luther, Encinal schools and special needs classes in the Sutter County Schools District. We're not supplying everything they need, we're just helping.

The Trauma Doll Program encompasses my joy of sewing. I make muslin dolls for children that are used at the Rideout Medical Center's emergency room and pediatric wing. The dolls also include a pouch with colored markers and a notepad for the children.

I also delivered 22 dolls to the Yuba City Police Department to use when interviewing children and have another 129 dolls for the Trauma Intervention Program.

The dolls are not clothed but are made out of child-appropriate patterned material. I accept donations of pattern material.

Kiwanis' goal is to change the world one child and one community at a time. I didn't have any children and this is a way to make a difference.

I am also a member of the Rod and Gun Club and do the salad bar for the monthly dinner meetings.

I didn't have time to volunteer when I was working. After my dad died I started volunteering because I was getting upset with myself. I was sitting and my house was clean, everything was clean. There's only so much you can do there. I figured it's time to go and do something.

How do you fit volunteering into your schedule? My husband helps with the housekeeping. All he asks is for is me to cook.

All three Kiwanis projects, being secretary and the two programs, are each full-time jobs. I'm tired, but I'm having fun.

Words of advice: There's something for everybody — go to the newspaper, check out club meetings. You can go into any club as a guest. If you don't like it, go to another.

By volunteering you get satisfaction from doing something for somebody, making a difference in someone's life. I don't want to be a negative force, I want to be a positive.

Quote: "There's so much that needs to be done and not enough volunteers."

For more information: yuba-city-earlyrisers.kiwanisone.org.