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