Volunteer Sandra Lawson has helped coordinate donations for Casa de la Esperanza for over four years. Casa de la Esperanza provides on-site educational and recreational activities for agricultural workers and their families in Longmont. The program offers a variety of activities including classes on citizenship, English, leadership, computer, and academics.

"She is exceptional at coordinating the donor solicitations. She has the ability to connect the resources within her realm of influence. She does all the work behind the scenes," said Carlota Loya Hernandez, Resident Program Coordinator for Casa de la Esperanza. "She's had a big impact over the years in our community. For her it's a life purpose."

Lawson has organized school supply donation drives, clothing and coat drives, Thanksgiving food donation drives, and the Christmas Giving Tree at her employer, Thule Corporation.

"The people at work enjoy participating. It's been a rewarding project for everyone," said Lawson, who is quick to credit others for their assistance. "I'm fortunate to know a lot of very giving, caring people. It's like this huge team effort. I couldn't do anything by myself."

While growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, Lawson saw how community members helped one another. That experience gave her the idea for the kind of community she wanted her own family to live in. In addition, her travels around the world as an adult have shown her the faces of poverty. "I can't help the children on the streets of South Africa and Brazil, but I can do something here," she said.

Lawson enjoys volunteering and she has enlisted the help of many family members in her volunteer work. Her husband Joe Gomez, granddaughter Amanda, and daughter and son-in-law Adele and Mike Sparkman have assisted in her volunteer efforts.
Lawson has volunteered for many different organizations. She volunteered for the Red Cross in Florida before moving to Colorado. She is a member of the Boulder Breakfast Optimists and has volunteered for the Bolder Boulder, Attention Homes, and Boulder Family Hospice.

"There is so much to be said for volunteering. Every little thing you do counts," said Lawson.

For information about volunteering with Casa de la Esperanza or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904.