Meet an Outstanding Volunteer!
Margaret Drechsel
Margaret Drechsel was a volunteer with the team from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in April. In her work leading up to the project organizing food, shuttle buses, registration and quilt-making for a 200+ team, she embodied enthusiasm, goodwill, and was truly an outstanding volunteer. Thank you for serving with us, Margaret!
Rebuilding Together Oakland: How long have you been involved with Rebuilding Together Oakland?
Margaret Drechsel: This was my first exposure to RTO, and oh, what an impression they made.
RTO: How did you get started?
MD: Don Sherwood was researching possible projects. Working with RTO staff he was shown the Fred Finch Youth Center. When he saw the FFYC site, he knew it would be a perfect fit for our group. We needed a place and project large enough to accommodate hundreds of volunteers at the same time. There was plenty of work to be done (even I wondered how we would accomplish it in less than a year…was I ever wrong).
RTO: What makes you want to stay engaged?
MD: The commitment I made, and being excited about the chance to make it easier for so many hard-working people at the FFYC, who are dedicated to giving children a chance for a better life. From the first RTO meeting I attended, I was excited to be included in such a devoted group, who were focused on service. Staff ran an exceptional meeting. They were well-organized, enthusiastic, and warm, while maintaining high standards and high energy. The expectations were clear, with no time or energy wasted, making it easy to work with them.
RTO: Why is this work important or relevant to our community?
MD: I don't think I realized how many people don't have a support system and need so much help before I was involved with Rebuilding Together Oakland. I was lucky to hear about all the improvements being made in so many places throughout the city. Their work is critical…who else will help?
RTO: What have you learned from volunteering?
MD: I've volunteered in many different ways for most of my life, thanks to my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have always been grateful for the reminder that I have so much, and have been so blessed in my own life. That also means much is expected from me in looking out for others. When life seems hard or discouraging, you don't have to look far to realize how great your life really is.
RTO: What's the most memorable experience you've had with RTO?
MD: Partnering with a team so capable and efficient, they can laugh and have fun along the way, manage all the details and build relationships, which results in magic!
RTO: What was your favorite part of the project, or the most challenging?
MD: I loved my interaction with the children and their leaders at the Fred Finch Youth Center. They do an extremely difficult job on a daily basis, but they serve and teach those children with kindness and understanding, seeing their potential and not the limitations or obstacles. I never visited the site without shedding a tear or two, overwhelmed at their efforts. I was lucky enough to take the quilts to the children at the Avalon house, and watch their excitement as they picked out their own quilt. What a treat!
The most challenging was making sure we could actually deliver on the commitments we made in just two Saturdays. Mormons generally show up and work hard on these large projects, but there is always a chance this time would be different. I was touched by the overwhelming response from the members and their friends who showed up early and worked tirelessly hour after hour. Thanks to their cheerful efforts, we could take on additional projects at the FFYC the second Saturday. Serving is what matters, and it fills your soul.
RTO: What advice would you give to other volunteers?
MD: Sign up, jump in, keep track of the details, get all your friends to join you, and show appreciation for every person's efforts…and don't forget to have a laugh along the way.
RTO: What do you do outside of RTO? What do you enjoy doing for fun?
MD: I am currently looking for employment in Change Management, after retiring from Nordstrom after 26 years. I like to bike, swim, cook, quilt, spend time in nature, and love spending time with friends.
Rebuilding Together Oakland: How long have you been involved with Rebuilding Together Oakland?
Margaret Drechsel: This was my first exposure to RTO, and oh, what an impression they made.
RTO: How did you get started?
MD: Don Sherwood was researching possible projects. Working with RTO staff he was shown the Fred Finch Youth Center. When he saw the FFYC site, he knew it would be a perfect fit for our group. We needed a place and project large enough to accommodate hundreds of volunteers at the same time. There was plenty of work to be done (even I wondered how we would accomplish it in less than a year…was I ever wrong).
RTO: What makes you want to stay engaged?
MD: The commitment I made, and being excited about the chance to make it easier for so many hard-working people at the FFYC, who are dedicated to giving children a chance for a better life. From the first RTO meeting I attended, I was excited to be included in such a devoted group, who were focused on service. Staff ran an exceptional meeting. They were well-organized, enthusiastic, and warm, while maintaining high standards and high energy. The expectations were clear, with no time or energy wasted, making it easy to work with them.
RTO: Why is this work important or relevant to our community?
MD: I don't think I realized how many people don't have a support system and need so much help before I was involved with Rebuilding Together Oakland. I was lucky to hear about all the improvements being made in so many places throughout the city. Their work is critical…who else will help?
RTO: What have you learned from volunteering?
MD: I've volunteered in many different ways for most of my life, thanks to my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I have always been grateful for the reminder that I have so much, and have been so blessed in my own life. That also means much is expected from me in looking out for others. When life seems hard or discouraging, you don't have to look far to realize how great your life really is.
RTO: What's the most memorable experience you've had with RTO?
MD: Partnering with a team so capable and efficient, they can laugh and have fun along the way, manage all the details and build relationships, which results in magic!
RTO: What was your favorite part of the project, or the most challenging?
MD: I loved my interaction with the children and their leaders at the Fred Finch Youth Center. They do an extremely difficult job on a daily basis, but they serve and teach those children with kindness and understanding, seeing their potential and not the limitations or obstacles. I never visited the site without shedding a tear or two, overwhelmed at their efforts. I was lucky enough to take the quilts to the children at the Avalon house, and watch their excitement as they picked out their own quilt. What a treat!
The most challenging was making sure we could actually deliver on the commitments we made in just two Saturdays. Mormons generally show up and work hard on these large projects, but there is always a chance this time would be different. I was touched by the overwhelming response from the members and their friends who showed up early and worked tirelessly hour after hour. Thanks to their cheerful efforts, we could take on additional projects at the FFYC the second Saturday. Serving is what matters, and it fills your soul.
RTO: What advice would you give to other volunteers?
MD: Sign up, jump in, keep track of the details, get all your friends to join you, and show appreciation for every person's efforts…and don't forget to have a laugh along the way.
RTO: What do you do outside of RTO? What do you enjoy doing for fun?
MD: I am currently looking for employment in Change Management, after retiring from Nordstrom after 26 years. I like to bike, swim, cook, quilt, spend time in nature, and love spending time with friends.
