DAVID BROOKS and his family have lived in the Fox Point neighborhood of Barrington for 31 years. He and his wife, Lisa, raised their children here and now their children live nearby, with their children. David spent his career in telecommunications (operations and sales), primarily with IBM and Siemens. Here, he shares his thoughts on volunteering. 

Current Volunteer Roles: I am currently a volunteer van driver for NeuroBalance and a want-to-be carpenter for The Build Team. I started working for both nonprofits following my retirement in early 2020. The work is very fulfilling and the people I have met along the way are amazing. I really enjoyed my career, but volunteering has given me a real purpose, and I must say, I have never been happier. 

BAVC Role in the Community: BAVC was not in place when I was looking for volunteer opportunities; I was just lucky to have a neighbor who was already volunteering for NeuroBalance and The Build Team. BAVC’s website is a great tool for anyone looking for volunteer opportunities. Over the last several months, I have referred friends to the site, and I’m sure that the area’s nonprofits have gained a lot of great people they might not have found otherwise. 

Volunteer Takeaway: I was immediately struck by the incredibly positive attitude of the NeuroBalance participants and the sense of belonging and camaraderie that NeuroBalance has created for those participants. After a full day of driving, I come away energized and inspired. Working on The Build Team made me realize how fortunate my family is to have a home like ours with all the necessities we take for granted like a roof that doesn’t leak, plumbing that works, etc. It’s really nice to be able to “give back!”