Building Dunsmuir’s Future with a Volunteer Fair

On Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Dunsmuir High School’s gymnasium, local organizations supporting the City of Dunsmuir and fostering a stronger community held a volunteer fair to engage South Siskiyou residents, highlight available community resources, and support Dunsmuir’s future.

Sixteen organizations participated, setting up displays to showcase their community services and volunteer opportunities.

“We hoped for rain or snow so people would come inside instead of enjoying the Palm Sunday sunshine,” said Bruce Deutsch, who helped organize this engaging and informative event.

The Dunsmuir Rotary helped facilitate the event. Will Newman, secretary of the Dunsmuir Rotary Club, said, “We are a family more than a club. We deeply care for each other and are committed to helping our community by providing more services to support residents.”

The Dunsmuir Rotary supports 22 projects and services, including the Wildcat Weekender Backpack Food Program for elementary students, Little Free Library, Fishing Hook and Line Collection Stations (as Dunsmuir has a world-class trout river), Pennies on Purpose for financial literacy, and Polio Eradication. Contact them at Facebook@DunsmuirRotary, www.dunsmuirrotary.org, or [email protected].

The Dunsmuir Chamber seeks volunteers for its monthly events, including a chili cook-off, golf tournament, Easter egg hunt (Easter Sunday at Dunsmuir Ball Park, 2 p.m.), Dogwood Daze, City-Wide Yard Sale, Railroad Days, Softball Tournament, River and Rail Brewfest, Dunsmuir Steampunk Festival, Harvest Scarecrow Walk & Bake Sale, Dunsmuir Rotary Holiday Craft Faire, and Candles in the Canyon in December. Their Dunsmuir Awards Gala is scheduled for May 9, 2025. The Dunsmuir Art Walk occurs every second Saturday. For details or membership benefits, call (530) 235-2177 or visit DUNSMUIR.COM.

The Dunsmuir Garden Club gave away live plants and seeks volunteers to maintain gardens and plant beds around town—a great way to learn and contribute.

Dunsmuir Elementary School’s Wildcats need volunteers and families for projects like gardening, chicken coops, ceramics, drama, tutoring, ski programs, and watershed science. Principal Susan Keeler said, “Learning isn’t just sitting at a desk. We want families and the community to contribute ideas and excite kids about school.” (Picture 13) Contact the school at (530) 235-4828 or visit https://dunsmuir.k12ca.us.

The American Red Cross, a volunteer-run nonprofit, supports disaster victims (e.g., fires, floods), offers safety classes, and installs free smoke detectors. They urgently need volunteers for pet placement during disasters. Based in Redding but serving Siskiyou and Shasta Counties, they can be reached at (530) 244-8000 or www.redcross.org.

Seeds of Ancestral Renewal, a lesser-known organization, supports people of color in Siskiyou County through social justice and traditional healing arts. Learn more at www.seedsofancestralrenewal.com.

Madrone Hospice Inc. operates a six-bed facility and hospice shop at 209 W. Minor St., Yreka, CA, with an administrative office and Hospice House at 255 Collier Cir., Yreka. They need volunteers to assist staff and work in the store. Contact them at (530) 842-3160.

Dunsmuir Firewise, the 900th certified group in California and the first in Siskiyou County, helps homeowners save on fire insurance. Visit www.ci.dunsmuir.ca.us/firewise for details.

The Friendship Line offers free support for older adults and people with disabilities. Their 70 volunteers handle 180,000 calls annually and need more volunteers to visit and reassure clients. Visit www.ioaging.org.

Unexpected Treasures, a thrift store at 5821 Dunsmuir Ave., offers affordable finds and volunteer opportunities for resume-building, earning merchandise points, gaining retail experience, and having fun.

The Siskiyou Arts Museum, creator of the Dunsmuir 2nd Saturday event, is 40 days from purchasing its building. Volunteer or learn about art shows at www.siskiyouartsmuseum.org.

The event featured abundant information and giveaways. Volunteering strengthens communities, builds friendships, and fosters learning.

Jack and Denise Sutcliffe, pastors at Revive Church of Dunsmuir for four years, toured the booths and collected small gifts. Denise said, “We want to learn what the community offers and how we can better connect with Dunsmuir.”

The names of the different organizations that were represented: one: Building Dunsmuir’s Future, Dunsmuir chamber of commerce, Dunsmuir elementary community school, Dunsmuir Fire wise, Dunsmuir Garden Club, Dunsmuir Girl Scout troop, Dunsmuir Railroad depot historical Society, Dunsmuir Rotary Club, Friendship line, Seeds of Ancestral Renewal, Siskiyou Arts Museum, Siskiyou food assistance, Siskiyou Habitat for Humanity, Madrone Hospice, Unexpected Treasures, Dunsmuir Resource Center and the American Red Cross. 

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