Volunteers: The Heartbeat of Sterling Heights
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While the employees of the City of Sterling Heights keep the town running, it's the volunteers who transform a good place to live into a great one. Whether planting flowers, supporting events, or keeping a watchful eye on neighborhoods, volunteers are the heartbeat of Sterling Heights. Their selfless dedication of time and passion weaves a vibrant fabric throughout the city.

But with busy schedules, what inspires someone to give their time so freely—and what keeps them coming back?

Gary Isom, 57, joined the Sterling Heights Beautification Commission in 2000 and now serves as chairman. When he first moved to the city, his focus was on his immediate family—until he realized family could extend beyond his household.

"During the first five years [of homeownership], my family and I transformed our house into a home," Isom said. "That's when a lightbulb went off—I told my wife I didn't just want to live in a city, I wanted to live in a community."

He's seen the results of the commission's work bloom over the years, from tree plantings to the new Community Garden at Nelson Park—all while raising children and working full-time.

"I've led by example, instilling the value of community service in my children," he said. "I've enjoyed the connection and fulfillment that comes with being part of a community."

Mary Pawlowski, 73, has volunteered for 33 years.

"I had a great life as a stay-at-home mom, but I wanted to be more productive in other ways," she said. "I thought getting involved with the city—because I love this city—would be a great thing to do."

After starting with the Beautification and Historical Commissions, she found her home with the Friends of the Library bookstore in 2000 and has served as vice president for over two decades.

"From the time I was a child, I loved to read," she said. "It was a weekly event to go to the library. I thought, 'What better way to work [in the library] than to volunteer?'"

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She credits her coworkers with making every shift special.

"The people I work with are wonderful. We're like sisters," she said. "Every week, something happens that makes me so glad I did this."

Zaniyah Cross, 15, a sophomore at the Gene L. Klida Utica Academy for International Studies, found her place through Key Club, which connects nearly 200 students to service opportunities.

"For a lot of people, [Key Club] is about getting involved in the community and gaining different perspectives," she said. "The morals they instill in us are about doing good for others."

Cross primarily volunteers with elementary school students, but encourages peers to get involved across the board.

"If I have an event and we don't have enough people, I'll call my friends and say, 'What are you doing on Friday? Great. You're coming with me,'" she said, smiling. "And if they enjoy it, they'll start coming to meetings."

Mary Nassar, 78, helps lead the Senior Center's walking club and has also participated in sewing and "plarning"—recycling plastic bags into mats for the homeless.

"It's something I've always enjoyed doing," she said. "Helping in any way makes me feel like I'm contributing."

She loves encouraging others to stay active.

"I like to be active, and I'm so glad our group is growing," she said. "We get to go to fun places while getting fresh air and exercise."

Nassar is a prime example of how volunteering adds value to life.

"If someone wanted to volunteer, I'd say give it a try," she said. "You meet new people, and it just makes you feel good."

Cross agrees: "Try volunteering in something you're interested in, and you'll get the most out of it. It's something people do out of the kindness of their hearts."

Dino Spadafore, 63, Tom Koller, 66, and Scott VanLuven, 59, helped launch the Citizens Patrol 15 years ago—initially with their own cars and out-of-pocket costs.

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"Flashlights, uniforms—we just had decals that stuck on the doors," Koller said.

Sharing shifts and stories, the trio has formed a close friendship.

"If you're in a car with somebody patrolling for three hours a couple times a week, you just get to know them fast," Koller said.

"We have dinner together, and we're safe with each other," Spadafore added. "We're all best friends."

"Don't admit to it though," VanLuven joked.

The same bond is shared by long-time neighbors Eleanor Pawlitz, 93, and Susan Stepniak, 85, who run monthly euchre tournaments.

"We spend more time together now than we used to," Pawlitz said. "We greet people, joke with them. They love us."

Stepniak added, "I do the [plarning] once a month—crocheting blankets for the homeless."

"You need more people to cut plastic?" Pawlitz offered. "I could do that. I have appointments on Tuesdays, but they're usually in the morning."

"See?" Stepniak said, smiling. "She's already trying to get out of it."

Pastor Wesley Woods, 48, serves as a police chaplain in addition to his role at Heritage Church. He rides along with officers twice a month to provide emotional support and conflict resolution skills.

"As chaplains, we're not here to preach. Our job is to serve," he said. "Our interactions with the community have been great."

He believes everyone has something to offer.

"The Bible talks about how we're given gifts to serve others," he said. "I thought, why not use my skills—mentoring, counseling—in this role?"

Woods acknowledges people may not have much spare time, but says small acts still matter.

"There's no opportunity too small," he said. "Even 30 minutes helping at the library makes a difference. Everyone has value to offer."

Many volunteers echoed this. Koller said Citizens Patrol requires only six hours a month, and Cross noted that some Key Club activities last just one hour.

From small acts to big commitments, Sterling Heights thrives because of its volunteers.

"When we show up, people wave. It's pretty awesome," Woods said. "That speaks to the kind of community this is."

To learn how you can get involved, visit sterlingheights.gov/volunteer.

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