November 8, 2001
Employee prefers helpful over helpless
The Combined Fund Drive runs through Nov. 21. Throughout the drive, University Week will feature faculty and staff who give back to the community by volunteering their time.
Name: Suzanne Anderson
UW position: Administrative Assistant, Student-Athlete Academic Services
Volunteer activity: Organizer of a semi-annual clothing drive for homeless people in the University district. Member of the Seattle Pedestrian Advisory Board, an 11-member group appointed by the mayor’s office and City Council.
Time as a volunteer: More than two years on the clothing drive, a year and a half on the pedestrian advisory board.
Why this activity? I organize the clothing drive because the number of homeless people – not only on University Way but on campus as well – was leaving me with a feeling of helplessness. Giving spare change did not seem to solve any immediate problems. Keeping people warm with shoes and clothing seemed to serve more of a purpose. Our department also gives clothing in the spring so that those who are in search of employment have a more appropriate wardrobe from which to choose. I joined the pedestrian advisory board because I am a firm believer in finding solutions to Seattle’s continuing transit problems. Walking contributes not only to a healthier mind and body, but to cleaner air as well. Providing pedestrians with safer sidewalks and a wider variety of connecting pathways encourages people to use this means of transportation more frequently.
Satisfaction in volunteering: Knowing that I have stepped forward and made some kind of contribution. The problem of homelessness remains, but helping a fraction of the people is more comforting than feeling hopeless and doing nothing. As a member of the pedestrian advisory board I have discovered the extreme complexity of the city government and I’ve also met a variety of devoted people.
For more information about the Combined Fund Drive, talk to your local CFD coordinator or visit the Web site: http://depts.washington.edu/uwcfd.
