Johns Hopkins Gazette: October 13, 1997

On The United Way:
Learning To
S.H.A.R.E.

Fifty-five-year-old Doris Golembieski knows what it means to S.H.A.R.E.

This mother of two and grandmother of three volunteers every month at the Hillbrook-Camelot Neighborhood Improvement Association, which is designed to assist elderly people with problems or concerns they have pertaining to their communities.

Golembieski actually gets more than just self-satisfaction for her volunteer efforts. She is one of 15,000 people who take advantage of the Self Help and Resource Exchange Program (S.H.A.R.E.).

This United Way agency is a community development program through which participants may purchase at least double the food value of quality food in exchange for $14 a month and two hours of community service a week in an agency of their choice.

"People often say that when they volunteer their time someone else is getting something. But what about me, they often ask," Golembieski said. "S.H.A.R.E is a program that rewards volunteers for their work."

Five years ago Golembieski experienced some rough times financially. She sought personal guidance from the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program at Hopkins. She learned about the self-help program and has been an active member ever since. She described it as a sort of financial aid program that reaches people from widely different backgrounds.

"It has been a blessing for me," she said.

There are presently 24 S.H.A.R.E programs across the country. One program, based in Linthicum, Md., serves Central and Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore. Its main purpose is to get people to become active in their communities and churches.

Anyone can join the S.H.A.R.E program regardless of their income or background. "It's a great way to meet people. It's good to see them smiling and happy. It's also a good way for everyone to get involved in the act of sharing with each other," Golembieski said.


The United Way Campaign has raised $816,992.
55 percent of the combined goal of $1,489,000.


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