This month's special volunteer is: ALFRED BERNSTEIN - Teacher's Aid.

1. Why did you decide to become a Volunteer?

I was looking for some purpose in my life. Although I was enjoying my time in retirement, it didn't seem to be very meaningful. So I started looking to do something so that would make me feel better about myself. I was an engineering manager at Hughes Aircraft and I've now been retired for about twenty years. I had plenty to do in retirement, what with tennis and a small study group, but I ached to do something a little better with my time.

2. What does volunteering do for you?

It makes me feel better about myself. I actually think that I am doing some good and feel that I'm kind of helping. I'm proud of what I'm doing and will talk to others about it at the drop of a hat! The kids I am involved with are so good and it's amazing how wonderful they are for me.

3. How long have you been a volunteer?

I started volunteering one day a week as a teacher's aid three years ago. However, I now go every morning and most afternoons to three of the local schools and am involved in the activities of eleven different classes. I do whatever the teacher wants me to do. Ostensibly, I am mostly involved with reading help. Wanting additional items to expose their students to, the teachers also asked me to research other things and make up special presentations to give to their classes. I also have several interests of my own and I found that a great way to interest the children was by bringing these subjects down to their level. For instance, as a true patriot, I fly the flag every day at home. So one of the presentations that I do is all about the American Flag. Every child gets an American Flag to take home and then we have a parade at the end of the presentation. I'm also interested in fossils, so I have a fossil presentation where every child gets a fossil to take home. I show them a dinosaur's tooth that I have. These are things that the kids are really interested in and it's really a "hands-on" experience for them as they get to touch everything when they pass it around. Last week I did a presentation on rocks and crystals and was able to give every child a crystal to take with them. For Lincoln's birthday I made myself a tall stove-pipe hat and gave them a presentation about Abraham Lincoln. They said that with my beard and lanky frame I even looked a bit like him! Each kid got a brand new Lincoln Penny to take home. I try and stay active in this way and get involved in all the class activities.

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

Some of the teachers have become very good friends. For instance, I went in last week with flowers from my garden for Valentines Day. As well as this special day, I am always bringing flowers in. I have a garden full of them and I give a special presentation where I hand out seeds to the kids to take home and plant.

- How has this changed your life?

It's helped me feel better about things. I just have a better attitude. Rather than being resigned to just withering away, I feel that I am out there doing something meaningful and worthwhile. Although I'm still playing tennis and doing other things that I want to do, I'm doing something additional that I find very rewarding. I volunteer at the schools every day and when they close for the holidays I'm a little unhappy. Luckily, Lomita School runs all year round, so when summer comes I now have a school to go to at that time.

5. Where do you currently volunteer?

I volunteer at Eshelman School in Lomita as well as Walteria and John Adams in the Torrance School District. My classes range from Kindergarten through Third Grade. I like to teach the lower grades because the older kids seem to be on their way already, although some of the younger ones are still struggling - especially with their reading. I do the reading tutoring one-on-one with those that need it, so they get a little more attention. It's particularly enjoyable for me to help those students who are more in need.

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

I would say "Congratulations! As long as it's meaningful for you and you like what you are doing, then keep it up." However, I am also sure to tell them what volunteering options are available out there in case they want to switch some of their priorities around.

(Alfred's three sons all live far afield and he doesn't get to see either them or his eight grandchildren very much. He says that teaching the young school kids is probably something of a substitute for not having them nearby. Alfred said that the teachers have the children write letters of appreciation to him. He recently told them that he might be absent for a short while because he was about to have a small operation. A lot of the children wrote very touching letters and they are always running over to greet him in the playground when he arrives. "I have definitely formed a real connection with them all," he says.) hr color="red" width=75%>