By Greg Hernandez
The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s amazing volunteers became the center of attention at a festive appreciation party on November 30 that included a dinner and dancing at Liaison Restaurant + Lounge in Hollywood.
“We are celebrating you,” the Center’s Volunteer Resources Program Manager Camille Araullo told the crowd at the event. “The Center was founded 50 years ago by volunteers. What a testament to the power of volunteerism. This party is for you, and about you.”
“It’s always been fun to volunteer at the Center,” special events volunteer Forrest Martin said while enjoying the festivities. “It builds community among the volunteers themselves and helps bolster the LGBT community at the Center. It’s awesome that they are doing this party for people.”
Tina Zimmer, who has volunteered at the Center’s Renberg Theatre and at special events, said: “Volunteering has made me a better person and helped me to think outside of myself and think about others. I enjoy working with these people. They are solid, genuine, lovely people.”
Another volunteer, Tiffany Tan, said simply: “I found a sense of belonging here.”
Kara Steffen, the Center’s director of development operations, paid tribute to the attendees for being “willing to give their time, give their talents, give their passions to us on behalf of our community.”
“The truth is, we really could not do the work that we do without each and every one of you,” Steffen added. “Our clients rely on us and we in turn rely on you.”
The Center has registered more than 14,000 volunteers since implementing its volunteer program. Countless more people donated their time and services before official volunteer tracking began.
The next volunteer information session will be held on Jan. 16, 2019, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Center’s Renberg Theatre. For more information about volunteering, visit lalgbtcenter.org/volunteer