Carolyn had just moved to the area when she decided to start volunteering with the City of Dublin. It was the week of the Dublin Irish Festival.
“I didn’t know many people and I didn’t know Columbus, so at the last minute I volunteered,” she said.
She lucked out and scored the coveted responsibility of driving the celebrity golf carts.
“I had never driven a golf cart before. Bouncing along on the hidden trails was so much fun! I laughed out loud! I did not know any of the celebrities. I just wanted to spend all weekend driving the golf cart!”
After volunteering at the Dublin Irish Festival, Carolyn wanted to do more. She contacted the City’s Volunteer Resources department and offered to write for them. Carolyn is a former business writer and university writing adjunct.
“If you’re going to volunteer, you should do what you love,” she said.
Carolyn now writes Volunteer Spotlights that profile other City volunteers.
“It’s interesting to hear other resident’s reasons why they volunteer for Dublin. Some people do it to make friends. Some people want to give back. There is something for everyone to do. Dublin makes you feel important — part of the community,” she said, “they genuinely care.”
In addition to continuing to volunteer every year for the Dublin Irish Festival, Carolyn also signed on to be an Alexa Buddy. She and a senior were paired to learn how to use Amazon Alexa technology together.
Carolyn now has a sense of home and where to find fun. “I plan to put down roots in Dublin,” she says. “And I plan to get more involved with volunteer activities.”
The Volunteer Spotlight series shines a light on the City of Dublin’s valued volunteers. To recommend a deserving volunteer, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities, email volunteer@dublin.oh.us.