Volunteerism. Where would we be without it? Think about that. I mean, really consider all the good things that happen in our lives that wouldn’t happen at all were it not for a person, or group of people, freely giving of their time and skills (even money). The operative word there is the “free” part of freely. And what’s not to like about free? Free is good, right? So, why is it, do you suppose, that we too-often tend to value and appreciate those services we pay for more than those which are made “free” to us? Makes no sense.
After all, nothing is truly free. I mean, goods and/or services can only be free to us because they were already paid for, in either time or money or both, by someone else. Volunteers. And, because they do, it makes life easier for the rest of us. One example, your Bentwater Civic Association which, for 24 years now, has been serving the Bentwater community. Let’s start by giving a shoutout to their 2023 board which includes Kevin Doris (outgoing President), Bobby Viktorin (incoming President), Marilyn Schmitt (outgoing secretary), Steve Pontious, Margaret Mattix, Pam Gallagher, Mark Fragos (outgoing recycling coordinator), David Parkhill and Roy Messmore.
And please welcome incoming 2024 board members Susan Jepsen, Vinny Sinisi and Scott Liebert who’ve volunteered to serve despite all being relatively new, three years or less, to Bentwater. Please thank them when you see them, perhaps at one or all of the BCA’s three recycling events each year. These events allow the rest of us to safely dispose of old paint and chemicals we’ve had stashed in our garages for way too long. They finally make those obsolete or broken electronics disappear. And shred all our old records and documents we no longer need. Plus these recycling events are all free to member households so, if you aren’t already one of the BCA’s 641 members, consider this as your nudge to join. It’ll be the best $20 investment you’ll make all year because, when the BCA isn’t doing recycling, they’re busy volunteering and/or underwriting other community events and organizations such as the POA’s annual Easter and Trunk or Treat events.
They’re also there along with the BLO and MOB at the monthly Mix ‘n’ Mingle events to welcome newcomers to Bentwater while socializing with longtime friends and neighbors. And while you may not have realized it at time, you’ve seen them there supporting the BLO’s Christmas Home Tours and POA’s 4th of July Parade. We enjoy the results of their labors but don’t often see the hours and effort that goes in to producing those results. The BCA is like that proverbial duck on the pond – seemingly quiet on the surface but paddling furiously underneath. So, thank you BCA volunteers. The world needs more like you.
Send Bentwater news and fun tidbits to Bruce@TheLakeConroeGroup.com
