Couples find volunteering a rewarding experience

When Sandra Lowe and Bill Harding were married 36 years ago, little did they suspect that their siblings would wed each other.

But that's what happened 30 years later when Chuck Lowe married Claudia Harding.

Confused? The story gets more interesting as both couples eventually moved to Douglas County from Southern California and bought houses two doors down from each other in Minden.

And, the Lowes and Hardings brought their spirits of volunteerism to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office where they help with the Citizens Patrol.

They were named volunteers of the month for August.

Chuck Lowe is a retired maintenance machinist; Claudia Lowe was a dental assistant and office manager for a dental practice.

Sandra Harding is a retired preschool teacher and Bill Harding was a street maintenance superintendent for the city of Los Angeles.

The Hardings moved to Minden four years ago from Monterey Park, Calif. The Lowes arrived the same time from Riverbank, Calif.

Both couples have been volunteers for three years and with the Citizen Patrol for two years. They each try to volunteer five to 10 hours per week.

"You meet the nicest people volunteering," said Bill Harding.

The four say they signed on as volunteers to give back to the community.

Chuck Lowe saw an article in The Record-Courier calling for volunteers and decided to get involved.

"You get so much more than you give," he said.

Claudia Lowe volunteered "because of the great people who work at the sheriff's department and put their lives on the line for us and for our community."

"The needed taxes were not voted in, therefore our community will not have the resources it needs for our safety. We all need to do our part, if not financially, with our service," she said.

-- Editor's note: The Record-Courier will profile the volunteer of the month in cooperation with Active Volunteers in Douglas, an organization formed to address recruitment, retention, placement, and recognition of volunteers. Sgt. Tom Mezzetta is chairman of the organization. Anyone who wishes to nominate a volunteer, or become active with AVID, is asked to call Mezzetta at 782-9931.