On Wednesday, June 24, my colleagues and I had the opportunity to volunteer at Friendship Park at Harvey West Park, and it served as a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose.
Nearly 50 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to help revitalize the park by cleaning the bocce ball court, spreading fresh mulch, and planting colorful flowers. What may have seemed like a few hours of volunteer work became something much bigger: a visible investment in a space that brings people together.
This project was made possible through the support of amazing community partners and donors, including the Santa Cruz Warriors, NAMI Santa Cruz, Lookout Santa Cruz, New Leaf Community Markets, Scotts Valley Rockery, TOGOs Capitola, and GivingTuesday. Their generosity and commitment to Santa Cruz County made this transformation possible.
For me, this day was especially meaningful.
After attending my third annual Volunteer Center Be the Difference Awards ceremony earlier this year, I walked away inspired by the individuals and organizations being recognized for their dedication to serving our community. I remember telling my coworker, Jamie Garfield, that I wanted to be part of the kind of meaningful work represented on that stage.
Having worked closely with Leslie Lee, director of community engagement at the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, for nearly four years, I reached out to explore how Lookout Santa Cruz could deepen its involvement. What started as a conversation quickly turned into us not just participating in this park revitalization project, but also committing to ongoing monthly volunteer opportunities as a team.
In addition to these efforts, I also work with Leslie each month to publish promoted content roundups that highlight volunteer opportunities across the county. These roundups include direct links to organizations and ways for our readers to easily get involved, connect, and give back.
Being invited to volunteer alongside so many local organizations reminded me why I love this community. Spending just three or four hours making a tangible difference in the same county that raised me and helped shape who I am today is something I will always be grateful for.
At Lookout Santa Cruz, we are committed to serving Santa Cruz County in many ways: through local journalism, community storytelling, and events that bring people together. This volunteer work adds another meaningful layer to that commitment. When we connect with community members, whether they’re thanking us for a story, attending an event, or discovering Lookout for the first time, it strengthens that sense of shared purpose.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue expanding Lookout’s volunteer efforts in new ways. That includes opportunities such as food sorting with Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, beach cleanups, and many other ways we can show up for the community we serve.
Community isn’t just something we cover, it’s something we’re proud to be part of. I’m excited for what’s ahead as we continue giving back, one volunteer day at a time.
