“What is the best thing about El Paso?” often comes up as a topic of conversation. I’d confidently wager that most would answer with one simple yet profound truth: “the people.” There are many reasons for this — we are warm, welcoming, deeply rooted in community, friendly, resilient, and caring. It is that “care” that you will find woven deeply throughout our borderland and one way it is threaded is through volunteering.
The spirit of volunteerism is a sturdy spool of thread that binds us together, weaving compassion, strength and unity into the fabric of our beloved Paso del Norte region. During National Volunteer Week, April 20-26, 2025, we pause to celebrate the many individuals who dedicate themselves to crafting a stronger, more connected community. We pause to thank our volunteers, and I hope you will join me.
Volunteers are among us daily. They are our coaches, food drive coordinators, shelter workers, crisis responders, board of directors, youth leaders, conservationists, advocates, counselors, senior companions, neighborhood associations, gardeners, activists, animal foster caregivers and so much more. Volunteers touch our lives in immeasurable ways every day. Time and time again, volunteers have also risen to see us through our most difficult times, uplifting us in the process. Each volunteer contributes a unique thread and together, their collective efforts create a tapestry of transformation.
Apart from the priceless contributions of volunteers, the current estimated national value of each volunteer hour is $33.49, according to Independent Sector. This underscores not only the moral but also the measurable economic impact of volunteerism, making it essential to honor and fuel this spirit of service among us. Often, volunteering bridges the gaps between resources and the needs of its community. With every hour given and every act of kindness, volunteers stitch hope into our area’s identity and maintain the ties that unite us. This week, we honor the lasting impact of volunteerism…