Helping Hands: Bonnie Wacker

Name: Bonnie Wacker, Culver City resident

Volunteer affiliation: Panther Partners president at Culver City Middle School

How long have you been a volunteer? I have been a volunteer for seven years. I started volunteering when my oldest daughter was in first grade at Farragut Elementary School. 

What needs does your chosen organization fill? As Panther Partners president at CCMS, I raise money for after-school programs and that includes academics, arts and athletics. I have a love of the arts and have added many offerings in this area to broaden what a quote, unquote typical sports booster club raises money for.

In addition, I'm big on campus beautification, so we have added murals to the multipurpose room and gym. This summer, we cleaned out the long forgotton teachers' courtyard and installed a garden so that the teachers have a pretty place to have their lunch in. We are now working on getting the library renovated. 

For an example of how we do our fundraising, I started the first ever jogathon at CCMS, which raised $24,000 last year. This money not only funds after-school programs, but also budget cut programs and the reduction of funds available from the district, to support programs that would have been cut otherwise. Volunteers are essential to keep our schools running well, especially with budget cuts affecting their quality.

What is the most rewarding part of being a volunteer? To provide services and opportunities to children to expand their experiences and enjoyment [for those] who wouldn't otherwise have them. And to see that my own children are more civic minded and volunteer without a thought, providing the next generation of volunteerism.

What is the city's most important issue? It should be the health and education of our youth.

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