This month's special volunteer is:

1. Why did you decide to become a Volunteer?

I thought that it would be nice to use my time so it would be of value to others, not just to myself, and because I like working with people.

2. What does volunteering do for you?

When we are doing things that you really enjoy, we feel good, we feel relaxed. As you age, you wonder "What is there to do?" However, I feel very satisfied.

3. How long have you been a volunteer?

I've been a volunteer now for twenty years - all with RSVP. Initially, I used to handle the telephones in the office. I lived closer then, but now I'm quite a ways away. So Hope [Witkowsky] decided to just send me the Birthday List and I take care of it right here where I live. I love being in touch with people.

(When I was at school in St. Louis, I used to help out the teachers in the classroom and work in the play yard as a monitor, etc. When I arrived at school they used to say "Mary, you're so early. They haven't even opened the gate yet!" So I told them that I'd rather be early than late and they decided to make me a schoolyard monitor. I was born and raised in St. Louis. The only reason that I'm here now is that I had four brothers in the service during the Second World War. My sister said "Let's go and visit the boys in San Diego." I never thought that I would leave St. Louis. But, of course I wanted to see my brothers and we hopped on a Greyhound Bus and went from St. Louis to California for $25. When I arrived here, the sky was so clear and beautiful that I said "This is it!" and decided that this was where I wanted to live. I got a job at Max Factor and have been here ever since!)

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

I've made all kinds of good friends from just being with RSVP. The organization has many other programs and meetings and it's really nice here. There are a lot of nice people in RSVP because these are people who want to volunteer. So I guess that we all have the same interests and have a great deal in common.

- How has this changed your life?

I always feel that my life is complete now. There's nothing else that I need. I'm just so very satisfied, in good health and not on any medication. I feel that you should do what you can while you can.

5. Where do you currently volunteer?

Everyone who is a volunteer with the South Bay RSVP gets a special message from me on their birthday.

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

Maybe some people feel this way, but I think that more people really do have the time these days. We all have different reasons about how and why we fill the time we have.