Guest Commentary
by Steve Vaus
Living in Poway for 21 years I’ve witnessed first-hand the power of volunteerism to fill a need — the amazing things possible when a helping hand is extended. But serving on City Council I’ve found there are often needs that go unmet because they are unknown. There’s been a missing link when it came to connecting the ‘needs’ with the ‘help.’ So, I created POWAY SECRET SERVICE.
POWAY SECRET SERVICE is unique … no meetings, no dues, no rules, no fundraising, no glory — we’re just going to get things done! Here’s how it works. Folks opt-in to receive text alerts when there’s a need. Those needs might be something as simple as providing diapers & baby food to a family in crisis; filling sand-bags during a storm; rounding up a stray shopping cart; picking up litter on one of Poway’s beautiful trails…basic tasks which require no expertise, just a willingness to serve.
After that initial need-based text alert is sent, whoever “claims” the job first is expected to get it done quickly — and when finished, they simply text back DONE. That’s it!
There’s an old saying, “Many hands make light work.” As a community I expect Poway will make “light work” of many needs. I’m excited to see the impact POWAY SECRET SERVICE will have . . . and to share this easy-to- implement, virtually cost-free community service program with other cities.
http://www.PowaySecretService.com
Vaus is a member of the Poway City Council
Comments 8
Great idea, I hope the union’s don’t get involved. I had read where Boy Scouts in Pennsylvania were improving a trail and the Unions made them stop because it was a union job to take care of trails.
As I just told Steve, this is an example of what the free market does best, until government says it can’t.
Great idea Steve.
Please, I beg of you, do NOT look for taxpayer dollars to fund this idea. I promise you that a Pizza place (or the like) will fund it
NOT ONE taxpayer dollar has been or will be used. The beauty of Poway Secret Service is there is virtually no cost to run it. I’ve paid the web site and text alert distribution fees out of my own pocket – that sets me back about $25 per month. In my way of thinking that’s a lot of bang for the buck!
Well done, Steve. This sort of actions is how free people solve problems. Keep up the great work
Steve…….rather than clean up after horses, help your senior citizens. Your what, say 21 years old? Hug a senior. Get really involved. The County offers many ways to get involved with senior citizens, and maybe even Old WWII vets.
When I say hug a Vet I mean help out old forgotten warriors. Guys like Randy Jones. Ten years ago, we suffered a tragedy with the Cedar fire. However in 1958, 10 inmates and 2 correctional officers died in the Injaha fire.
The main thing is not to keep it a secret. Be proud of helping others. There is no such thing as a secret service, or a secret.
Steve, please ignore Erl.
Erl, maybe look up Steve Vaus before talking next time. Oh, dude, it’s not secret because anyone is hiding anything, it’s just a name — those participating provide a service to the community without needing any credit for their act. This in no way precludes anyone from helping vets too.
It’s well known on this board that Mike Erl has a HUGE reading/thinking comprehension problem. Thorette, PLEASE stop picking on him. Show a little compassion for your fellow sentient beings.