Appreciating Our Volunteers: Sal Medina

As National Volunteer Appreciation Week 2016 rolls on, AARP CA continues to honor some of our talented and devoted volunteers. Volunteers selflessly lend their time, skills, and experience to help us reach those in our communities. Among this selfless and talented group of volunteers is Sal Medina.

Sal Medina has been a dedicated volunteer since 2012. He signed on after being inspired by an AARP speaker at a dinner party. Sal was drawn to volunteering with AARP because it offered him an opportunity to make a difference in the community while still allowing the flexibility to spend time with his family. When he became involved with AARP, Sal was surprised at how easy it was for him to begin as a volunteer, how volunteer-driven  the events were, and the large amount of support given to volunteers from AARP staff. As an AARP volunteer Sal says, “You’ll be surprised how much you have to offer and how much is offered to you. You have nothing to lose and more to gain. ”

As a volunteer, Sal brings a well-trained eye for detail, which he attributes to the 30 years he spent working in the printing field. Sal also cites his volunteer efforts as the reason he has improved with staying up to date on his emails! Sal’s favorite aspect of volunteering with AARP is the fun he has with the other volunteers. “We kid, joke, and simply share small talk before, during and after an event, allowing for camaraderie to build,” Sal says.

In life as well as volunteer work, Sal is continually motivated by his passion for serving those in his community and by his interest in learning new things. When he is not volunteering, Sal and his wife like to hop in the car and drive with music playing and without a set destination. Often times they end up in Del Mar for ice cream or in Balboa Park for a stroll with their granddaughter. When he can sneak a moment in front of the TV, Sal also likes to catch up on Football. “It’s who you’re with, not where you go, and I enjoy the company of the people around me,” Sal says.

AARP CA honors Sal for his enthusiasm and commitment as a volunteer.

Do you know someone like Sal, who is using his or her skills and experience to make a significant difference in your community? If so, honor his or her dedication, commitment, and creativity with a nomination for the 2016 AARP California Andrus Award for Community Service — AARP’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award for community service. Nominations for this year’s award will be accepted through June 3, 2016 at the AARP California office.  Nomination forms are available by contacting Antoine Cook at (626) 585-2608, on the web at www.aarp.org/AndrusAward or by calling 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). - See more at: https://states.aarp.org/appreciating-volunteers-captain-nuru-neemuchwalla/#sthash.V0wm6ow9.dpuf