Volunteer Spotlight

JACQUIE SCHMALL

From 1986, having moved from Long Island, to San Francisco, to Tiburon, to Larkspur, to Petaluma, to Oregon, to Santa Rosa, to Petaluma, to Houston, to San Diego, and being the new arrival in 2010, Jacquie Schmall knows what it feels like to reach out, and not find anything, or anyone, to lean on. Upon settling in San Diego, Jacquie spent months learning about where she needed to drive to get to where she had to be, especially the library. She can't remember the exact moment she heard about Del Mar Community Connections. However, it seemed to be a most important answer to the question Jacquie finally asked, "What is Del Mar about?"

In discovering DMCC, Jacquie found a long list of opportunities to investigate. She began to play Mah Jongg at the Powerhouse, and occasionally Bridge. There weren't as many Mah Jongg players as the group would have liked, so Jacquie offered to introduce the game to anyone in the community who was interested. The new location of DMCC at the Del Mar Community Building was the perfect place to hold classes. Thanks to Jacquie, new members of the group are making the challenging switch from Chinese Mah Jongg to the American style of play.

Jacquie finds DMCC to be "casual, homey, and always a pleasant experience." And, she has lots of ideas for new activities: "We did try a play reading group last year, but the timing didn't work out for those interested. Perhaps we can arrange for a new group of people who would like to read aloud plays, current articles on health, comedy, or even play Scrabble." Please let the DMCC office know if you are interested in these or other new activities!

As Jacquie says, "There are so many wonderful people who volunteer for DMCC, and they have contributed so much to Del Mar seniors." She adds, "It's a privilege to be counted among them. Thank you for the opportunity to say thank you." Jacquie, DMCC thanks YOU!