This month's special volunteer is: ARLENE BALL - Torrance Memorial and Meals on Wheels.

1. Why did you decide to become a Volunteer?

I've been a volunteer for ever. When I had my family I volunteered for the PTA and ran a Girl Scout troop. I was the PTA President as my children went through Elementary, Junior High and High School. I've always volunteered because I enjoy it. I don't even remember how I happened to join RSVP ..... somebody just suggested it, but I really don't know how long ago that was.

2. What does volunteering do for you?

I think that volunteering enriches your life. It keeps you busy and you get to meet nice people. I find that other people who volunteer are especially nice people and I would really miss it. I've always volunteered. I had the same Girl Scout troop for ten years and most of the girls were with me all the way through from the Brownies to Senior Scouts.

3. How long have you been a volunteer?

I started volunteering at Torrance Memorial Hospital 35 year ago and I'm still doing it. As a matter of fact, I was there this morning. I also deliver Meals on Wheels and have now been doing that for twenty years.

4. Have you made any good friends from this job?

I've made many good friends at both Meals on Wheels and Torrance Memorial. I think that you get out of any organisation just what you are willing to put into it.

- How has this changed your life?

I feel like I have had a very lucky life, and this is mainly because of the volunteer work that I've been involved with. I've always been supported by a husband so, apart from the war years, I've never had to go out to work. During the war my husband served in the Navy and I went to work in an office at the railroad. At that time the railroad didn't hire women, but they hired us during the war with the agreement that we would quit when the men came back.

5. Where do you currently volunteer?

I volunteer at Torrance Memorial Hospital and will get my 35 year pin from them this Spring. I currently work at the information desk in the North Wing and also give tours of the hospital when they ask me.

6. What would you say to anyone who thinks they are too busy to volunteer?

I think that we each do what we want to do. We each have our own priorities. If it doesn't interest them, well, that's their business. However, I could tell them that, having been a volunteer my whole life, I get a lot out of it.

There is a photo of Arlene, volunteering at the Torrance Memorial Hospital, in this month's copy of "Vim and Vigor". Arlene's photo is also featured in volunteering at Torrance Memorial Hospital's website: Several years ago, she served as president for all the auxillary volunteers. The photo of Arlene that's shown below also appears on the opening Web page for the Torrance Lomita Meals on Wheels organisation.