On teaching my children the benefits of volunteering
By doing the small things well, we can make a big difference
Last Saturday, my 7-year-old daughter, Violet, and I volunteered with Stream Watch, an award-winning program that takes care of high-use fishing sites on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Stream Watch volunteers pick up litter, collect monofilament from recycling tubes, teach visitors about ethical angling, provide natural history education, and promote bear safety. This mighty cadre removes hundreds of pounds of trash, connects with hundreds of both new and experienced anglers, and installs miles of seasonal fencing to protect stream banks from erosion.
When Stream Watch was founded in 1994, the Russian River was in rough shape. Its banks were actively eroding mud pits. The channel widened as mature cottonwood trees were undercut and washed away. Returning salmon runs declined.
The reasons I participate with my kids extend beyond the environmental benefits and include subtly instilling life lessons. When we participate in Stream Watch, there is no need to explain why or how we should care for our public lands; it’s just a thing we do.
Most of our Stream Watch patrols involve hiking along the Russian River, a clear stream that sees over 100,000 returning sockeye salmon and a large number of anglers between the months of June and August.
Violet has Gaucher disease and spends lots of time in hospitals. She is often sick and needs extra help. As her caregiver, I coordinate and accompany her to many doctor appointments and manage her treatments. Involving Violet and her 10-year-old brother, Everett, in caring for something outside of themselves empowers them. They can easily use little pickers to grab cans and open monofilament collection tubes to pull out balls of fishing line. They’re also really good at zip-tying plastic fence to rebar.
Violet Glaser, 7, and her brother, Everett, 10, install a fence to help prevent erosion. Volunteering with Stream Watch on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula helps protect the environment while teaching lasting life lessons. (Photo by Marion Glaser)
Violet sometimes has the energy to hike. When she tires, I carry her piggyback-style or bring a stroller. She loves to play in the tall ostrich ferns and wade in the cool water. Her brother loves to fish for salmon, and his technique just might be good enough this year to catch one in this fly-fishing-only area.
The individuals who volunteer with us also subtly teach my kids life lessons. These people come from all walks of life and abilities and yet find a way to contribute their skills. Our 91-year-old friend is a testament to healthy living and staying active. Another lady is unable to hike, but we help her set up a table and she cleans the hooks, weights, and other debris from the monofilament line so it can be recycled.
One of the program’s founders told me, “If we can save the river, we can save the world.” He meant that by doing the small things well and consistently, we can make a big difference.
When volunteering, I feel that no matter how busy I am, I’m blessed with the opportunity to serve. I also find rejuvenation from the sound of the rushing river, the occasional sight of a grizzly bear chasing salmon, or a kid catching their first trout. I love walking the river and seeing the seasons change. I love witnessing the salmon returning to bring life and ocean nutrients to this ecosystem, even as their journey and life is ending.
Maybe I’m the one subtly receiving the life lessons from the river. Maybe I am the river. Being a mom and caregiver is hard work. Sometimes I feel like I am eroding away at the edges. But if I care for myself consistently and well, I will have more energy and capacity. Through giving, I open myself to receiving. When we spend time as a family in nature caring for the river, maybe we are the ones who are healed.
Note: Gaucher Disease News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Gaucher Disease News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Gaucher disease.
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