Give back and make a difference
Editor: April brings not only spring showers, but the opportunity to recognize Lodi’s volunteer community. April is National Volunteer Month and this year’s theme is “Give Back and Make a Difference.”
Whether supporting those in need of food, shelter or healthcare, cultural enrichment, youth-oriented activities, first responder or workforce programs, Lodi is fortunate to have dozens of organizations with hundreds of volunteers giving back to our residents.
As a mayor, a Rotarian, and a supporter of many of our Lodi volunteer organizations, I’m honored to have the chance to recognize a few of them during National Volunteer Month. I’d like to call out and thank a specific group of volunteers, the 100-plus individuals that share their time and talent on our city council-appointed boards and commissions.
There are 15 such bodies to which the mayor appoints city or county residents to serve, with city council approval. I’ve attended all but a few council-appointed commission meetings and appreciate the sincerity and seriousness all these volunteer commissioners bring to the discussions and the decisions they make.
Yet, I’ve been impressed most by the active engagement of our youth — representing grades 9 through 12 — on the Greater Lodi Area Youth Commission.
The Youth Commission’s goal is to “affect positive growth in young adults through a variety of activities that will generate interest and participation within the community.” If it weren’t for the nine young people and their six adult advisors, Lodi’s traditional high school experiences, such as the Pigskin Prom and Casino Game Night would not exist. Nor would more youth be involved in local service - doing yard work for the elderly, painting benches at local parks, teaching children how to swim, and assisting with animal adoptions.
These Youth Commission members are learning essential leadership and community involvement skills through conducting public meetings, soliciting businesses as event sponsors, securing volunteers for events, and managing event logistics.
After a recent meeting, I spoke with a few Youth Commission members. They expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to serve and even asked what more they could do. Isn’t that what volunteerism is all about?
Serving and doing more to make a difference.
Thank you to our volunteers, of all ages, for serving our city, civic, and charitable organizations and for giving back to make Lodi more livable and lovable.
For more information on how you or your teen can get involved in city commissions, please contact me at lcraig@lodi.gov or our boards and commissions staff at cityclerk@lodi.gov.
The return of a Lodi treasure
Editor: As us Lodi baseball fans remember, on Sept. 22, 2019 we all tragically lost Zupo Field due to fire.
The atmosphere and proximity of the fans to the action created a real home-field advantage and great memories. Those days are behind us now, and it’s time to start a new chapter in Lodi baseball.
After 4 1/2 years and over $4 million in construction costs, Zupo Field is ready to re-open. Opening Day is scheduled for Monday, April 15, with Lodi High playing Tracy.
Let’s show our support and appreciation for the efforts of the baseball advocates and the City with a big turnout for the opener, and I hear Hobie’s (Lodi coach Hobie Schultz) got a good squad this year, well worth watching.
A need for Partners
Editor: There is a group of people in our town you may have seen in your travels. They go about their business with little fanfare, but they provide a valuable service to the community.
They work hand and hand with the Lodi Police Department.
They are Lodi Police Partners. You may have seen them about town in their white Police Partners vehicles. They volunteer their time and perform certain duties, that if they didn’t exist, a sworn officer would have to do.
The Partners do traffic control at vehicle accidents, fires, crime scenes, and special events. They do vacation house checks, so next time you go on vacation give them a call and they will stop by and check to see if your home is secure. Partners do abandoned vehicle investigations, issue citations for handicap parking violations, parking in a red zone, expired tags, and more. They also transport evidence to and from the crime lab, They test the breathalyzers weekly.
Partners serve subpoenas, patrol all the schools and parks in town. They do Stranger Danger education at the elementary schools ,and many other things.
The Partners do not get paid, they donate their time because they care about making
Lodi a better place to live. Many people may not know this, but the Partners have to buy their own vehicles, so they must rely on fundraisers and generous donations from businesses, community groups, and individuals.
Thank you to all those who do support our organization.
There is a need for more Partners and you are welcome to apply. Inquire at the Police station or call the Partners office at 209-333-6886.
Requirements are: 30 years or older, a valid California driver license, able to pass a background check. You must work at least 12 hours per month. If you are interested call and schedule a ride along with the Partners to see if it would be something you would like to do.
If you want to serve the community and work with a great group of people, think about becoming a Lodi Police Partner.