This month's special volunteer is:

1. Why did you decide to become a Volunteer?

For my own personal satisfaction and as a way to help people. I had retired and found myself at a loose end. I had always liked to do a lot of crocheting and knitting as well as all kinds of arts and crafts, so I thought that this would be a good way to put my hobbies to good use.

2. What does volunteering do for you?

It makes me feel good about myself and I get a great deal of satisfaction from seeing the smile on kids faces when I give them some of the things we make.

3. How long have you been a volunteer?

I've been with RSVP for seven years. However, I was volunteering for three years prior to that, so it's now been around ten years in all.

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

Oh! I've made lots of friends through the Mad Hatters group. There are about fifteen of us who meet regularly each week, sometimes more. Some of us work at home but most of us meet at Greenwood Park (a converted school) each week. The kind of things we make are knitted hats and baseball hats that are decorated with all kinds of cut-out items. We make activity bags that we fill with coloring books and crayons. Another of our projects consists of making puppets and other soft toys. We also make blankets and Premi items that are distributed at Millers Childrens Hosptital in Long Beach.

- How has this changed your life?

It's made me feel that I am doing something worthwhile and gives me a lot of satisfaction.

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

I would tell them that they can always find two or three hours in their busy schedule to spend volunteering.