Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another.
- Erma Brombeck
The unique thing about who we are as Americans is our ability to see a need and meet it. Whether it is meeting our neighbors, at home or abroad, in the time of a crisis, or simply building and sustaining our own communities through our churches, and other civic organizations, donating of one’s time, energy and resources is a uniquely American endeavor. In Yorba Linda, our history illustrates this volunteer spirit that made America great, and shows an impressive and continuing pattern of volunteerism that continues to make our community truly outstanding.
In February 1912, in an area of Southern California now known as Yorba Linda, a small group of dauntless women joined together to form a noble organization still known today as the Yorba Linda Women’s Club.
In the minutes of the November 14, 1912 meeting of the Yorba Linda Women's Club, a motion was made that “Mrs. Nixon being the first one of members to have anticipations of a little one in her home, and wishing to show our regard for her, I move we give a surprise for Mrs. Nixon at the home of Mrs. Trueblood.” Two months later on January 9, Mrs. Nixon did in fact give birth to a son and named him Richard Millhous.
In those early years, the club began their proud history of service to the community by supporting the first library in Yorba Linda. They raised money for the Library building, and through the dedication of its Garden Club members, planted the trees and greenery surrounding the early library. They gave a piano to the first Yorba Linda school and were instrumental in efforts to bring electricity to the community. In 1915, together with the committment of the Chamber of Commerce and the Yorba Linda Water company, the Women’s club orchestrated the planting and care of the first park. The Women’s Club has continued to the present, to be a vital part of the Yorba Linda community contributing substantially to joint efforts with Girl Scouts and many other important charities today including Relay for Life and Fiesta Days in recent years.
The Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1915 largely as an organized group to confront the Janns company on issues of water usage. The Chamber also worked with the Women's Club on bringing electricity to the community and building the first park. The Yorba Orange Growers association was an off-shoot of this early Chamber of Commerce. Today, the Chamber of Commerce is a much more sophisticated organization with marketing opportunities for local business, promoting local business through shop local programs and education and informative legislative activigtes. As we also saw in the crisis that followed the catastrophic fire in 2008, the Chamber proved to be the go-to resource to get “boots on the ground” to coordinate assistance flowing to families in need in times of confusion and catastrophe.
The volunteer fire department was organized in Yorba Linda in 1932. The original fire station building on Lemon Drive was built by citizens of the community and financed from their own pockets. When I was a young girl living in Yorba Linda, and even during the large brush fire that scorched the northern hills in 1979, this volunteer fire department was still the main resource protecting our city. With a horn loud enough to be heard from every corner of town, the volunteer fire fighters were called to action in the event of an emergency.
The volunteer spirit in our community has been present for more than a century. It is a proud and noble tradition in our country that has remained in our community until the present time. This kind of cohesive codependence makes for a prosperous and healthy community.
Geese fly together in a "V" formation. Have you ever wondered why they do this?
The flapping of the wings of each bird creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock has a significantly greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. A goose who falls out of formation will suddenly feel the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and will likely fall quickly back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.
When we share a common direction and cooperation we will get where we are going more quickly and easily. If we are at least as wise as the geese, we will stay in formation and will be more efficient and go farther and faster than any of us could go alone.
If you have an opportunity to thank the volunteers in your community who work hard to make it great, you should certainly do so. We all benefit from the work, past and present, of these tireless individuals.
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