SENIOR VOLUNTEERS SAN DIEGO
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VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION

Mary Thorton - April/May 2020

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Mary Thornton, a volunteer with the Scripps Mesa Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP), is the April 2020 Volunteer of the month. She was nominated by Jim Schulte, the site administrator. Scripps Mesa RSVP is part of the San Diego Police Department. Senior volunteers assist area police
stations by engaging in crime prevention activities and supplying additional resources to the departments. They also perform vacation house checks and You Are Not Alone (YANA) checks on homebound, isolated seniors. 

Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the
volunteer program is currently on hold (staff are taking on
critical volunteer functions, such as checking in on seniors
through the YANA program). Mary is eager to return to her
volunteer duties when it is safe to do so. During “normal”
times, Mary wears several different hats within the RSVP
program. She patrols the Scripps Ranch and Mira Mesa
communities approximately once a week, conducting crime
prevention activities and ensuring the safety and welfare
of the communities’ residents. She also acts as the patrol
manager once a week, and coordinates two daily patrols in
Scripps Ranch and Mira Mesa. In addition, Mary patrols
Balboa Park once a month and serves as police department
ambassador to all who visit the park. 

Over the years, Mary has graciously accepted more
responsibility and was promoted up through the ranks to
become the assistant administrator of the Scripps Mesa
RSVP office. In this role, Mary provides expert support
to the administrator, as well as to the entire team. She
maintains records and coordinates the patrol schedule. She
also organizes several events throughout the year. Mary has
become a key contributor to the success of the unit.

In addition to volunteering with RSVP, Mary volunteers
at The San Diego Food Bank, helping to distribute food to
low-income seniors. She also volunteers at the Scripps Ranch
Community Association, assisting with their newsletter.

Mary is known for her dedication to volunteerism and for
her cheerful demeanor. She represents the Retired Senior
Volunteer Patrol in a professional and caring way, and is a
positive reflection of the RSVP program, and in turn, the
San Diego Police Department.
​
Mary says her favorite part of volunteering is the feeling that
she is making a difference in the lives of other individuals in
the community. While volunteering in the traditional sense
is not an option during COVID-19, Mary continues to look
out for others, such as by checking in with older neighbors
to ensure that they have everything they need. San Diego is
lucky to have residents like Mary Thornton. Thank you so
very much, Mary, for all that you do!
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