John grew up in Ohio and after graduation he enlisted in the US Navy serving as a hospital corpsman. After more than enough cold winters, he and his family moved to sunny San Diego, CA. John worked primarily in the Human Resources field and eventually retired as a Human Resources Administrator for one of the oldest law firms in San Diego. After retirement, he relocated to even sunnier Palm Springs, CA, and enjoyed the desert for 20 years. Two years ago, after his husband passed, he relocated to Orcas to be closer to family. He now finds himself surrounded by friends, family and plenty of our PNW pine trees. What a change!
John jumped right into getting to know his new community by volunteering at both the Orcas Senior Center and the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC). At OCRC, he volunteers twice a month helping with our Coates Cabinet program where clients are able to receive essential hygiene and cleaning products. OCRC offers a myriad of services and resources to assist islanders with basic needs such as housing support, utilities, transportation, medical & mental healthcare and more. John shared, “I am grateful to be involved with OCRC as they truly are a safety net for islanders in need.”
Volunteering enables John to remain active, stay connected, and be informed about programs and activities that are available in our community. John believes the rewards he receives from volunteering his time equal, or even perhaps outweigh, the value received by the organization. John shared, “I encourage anyone who has the time - to get involved with one of our island non-profit organizations. The rewards you'll receive from service are priceless!”
If you'd like to become involved with or support one of Orcas Island's nonprofits or service organizations, check out this incredible list on OICF's website through the link below.
