Honoring our Volunteers

Computer Club Honors Volunteers

   The Computer Club of Rossmoor is about to begin its 20^th year. Simply put, this club has introduced thousands of residents to personal computers. How did this happen?

   First, nothing like this happens without people and those taking care of the club’s business are all volunteers.

   It began in earnest with the late Al Halpern who somehow knew that personal computers would change everyone’s world, even seniors.

   Halpern’s plaque in the Computer Center at the Gateway Clubhouse warmly describes him in the following way: “Al used his skills, extraordinary intelligence and boundless generosity to encourage seniors to use computers to improve their mental activity and to expand their communication with friends and relatives”.

   The interest in PC’s grew and grew until Halpern’s astuteness recognized the need for a highly competent and deeply committed associate to assume the duties of president of the club. In 1997 that person was Leonard Krauss who remains in that position to this day. Halpern continued as a very active chairman of the board.

   The untimely passing of Halpern in 2003 placed a heavy burden on Krauss, but without any complaint Krauss has carried on initiating and overseeing a number of changes all done with skill, calmness and a vision benefiting seniors.

   Krauss voluntarily became the leader every good organization needs in order to prosper. His dedication to this club is incalculable.

   Although many people have contributed to this growth, and it’s really difficult not to be able to mention all of them, one really stands out. It is Marie Klos. Willing and able to take on any task and do it well, Klos was a treasure lost by the club in her passing in 2009.  

   There is a plaque in the Computer Center describing Klos’ many contributions to the club. It says: “You helped start the club in 1993 and since then your efforts and many skills have helped the club to grow and teach thousands of seniors to use computers”.

   This is the time to remember how selfless and generous all volunteers are with their knowledge and time. These are responsible people devoting their time with one goal in mind: to help seniors not only become computer literate, but to have a life-expanding experience via the Internet.

   This is volunteering in its purest form. There is no compensation or self-aggrandizement. It’s just one group of seniors generously helping others – with both benefiting.

   Now let’s turn to the generations following Halpern, Krauss and Klos. The club invites these people, many of whom are relatively new to Rossmoor (and popularly known as “Boomers”), to become volunteers in this club. 

   Computer literacy is likely to be common with this group and with the aging of current helpers the participation of these people is essential to the continued success of the club.

   It all comes down to this. The club is about giving back one’s expertise and time. It’s not difficult work and it’s not even time consuming for those that don’t want it to be. Please contact the club at 280-3984 or call the Computer Center at 947-4527 and leave a message for a club officer to call.

   Finally, this article includes another small, but important, request. Please take a moment to thank a club volunteer. What they do, they do for you.