America needs more volunteers; not just our trail systems are at risk. Volunteerism is declining as Americans spend more time at home and less time engaging with their communities. If only they knew: acts of service reduce stress and promote positive, relaxed feelings by releasing glorious waves of dopamine. Less stress = less stroke, heart disease, depression, anxiety and general illness.
Category Archives: Acts of Service
A Salute to John Donnelly
There is a gravitas, and a deep reward, that comes only after one dedicates oneself to acts of service with passion and perseverance over time. Among those that have quietly made the Overlook Trail a part of their life’s work is our John Donnelly, who recently departed the Stewards in order to redirect his expertise towards what may serve us on an even greater level: the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission for the City of Sonoma.
But the loss is real. John has been a true leader, advocate and ever diplomatic guide to our group. In the words of some of our longest serving Stewards:
John Donnelly has been a stalwart (aka loyal, reliable and hardworking), intelligent and guiding member of the Sonoma Overlook Trail Stewards for more than 20 years.
John served as Chairperson of the Stewards for 10 of those years. Of his many contributions, we can thank John for the kiosk that now graces the trail entrance. The kiosk educates walkers about the trail, its ecology and inhabitants. It was John’s vision: he guided the process through design, approval, funding, execution, and completion.
Joanna Kemper
John is a great mentor and leader. I always said John was the Secretary of State of the SOT, for his tremendous authenticity, grace, humility, and clear compass to always do good and be on the right side of things. When there was ever any trouble and tension, John could finesse it, and say things always in just the right way. I’ve imagined a statue of John at the top of the Overlook…a monument to a great Sonoma citizen and great human being.
After the fires and after a bulldozer went all over the hillside by the trail, John, in his late 70s, came up to help do the heavy, dirty work of re-grading the trail. Sophisticated as he is, John never got too high and we had fun moving that dirt together. Here’s to you John, and the simple service of moving dirt that we shared.
Fred Allebach
John joined the first Sonoma Overlook Trail (SOT) docent training class in the spring of 2002. After attending eight weeks of training to learn about the plants, animals and geologic and human history of the area, he became a docent. He excelled in this role and enjoyed it so much that the following year, he became a docent trainer. In those early days, he was out on the trail so often, and working so hard, that he appeared in a few newspaper photographs. He was known as the “poster child” of the SOT.
John’s attention to detail has been invaluable during many aspects of caring for the SOT. From 2008 until 2011, John assumed sole responsibility for chairing the Task Force. He has been an active member of the SOT Steward’s Maintenance Team for many years. His love of and knowledge about the SOT are exceeded by none!
Jackie Steuer
John, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors. May the trail rise to meet you.
Porter Abodeely and Sunrise Rotary Work Day Successful
Presentation School student Porter Abodeely, with the assistance of his father JJ, arranged and performed a trail workday with the help of Sunrise Rotary this past Saturday. Sonoma Overlook Trail steward Fred Allebach coordinated with Porter and JJ to guide the workers to the best jobs for the students and for the trail.
There were two crews, one focused on the kiosk area and the other on the upper trail. The kiosk crew performed these tasks: cleaned the trail entry, swept the kiosk area, moved rock thanking the Kiwanis Club for their trail donation back into place, removed trash, swept and weeded the entry staircase steps, cleaned the entry path drain, cleaned the drain above the staircase, swept the stone walls, lightly sanded picnic table top, and cleaned leaves out of table cracks.
The upper moved extra rocks from the new steps to a pile at the Toyon Trail junction, filled eroded areas in the new treads, raked gravel back out to the center of the trail and swept the steps.
The pictures are kindly provided by JJ and are published here with his permission. We extend our appreciation to Porter and JJ Abodeely, Sunrise Rotary, and Fred Allebach for making this happen!
Sunrise Rotary Work Day
Steward Fred Allebach recently coordinated with the local Rotary club to come out for two work days on the trail this month. The first one, with “Sunrise” Rotary, was held today. The large group, including entire families with young children, worked on several areas of the trail in two groups — one led by Fred and the other by me.
The work included:
- Putting in a drain and laying gravel on the middle portion of the main steps at the trail entrance to deal with a muddy area.
- Laying down a thin layer of gravel on the second set of steps (enclosed with railroad ties) a short distance along the trail from the steps (see picture).
- Berm and drain work at the loop at the top of the trail (see picture).
Given the size of the group and their eagerness, we were done with what we had set out to accomplish within 2 hours. The children were enthusiastic and very helpful.
Thank you Sunrise Rotary!
Why We Do It
I confess: I have begun writing a post many times in the past to talk about why we Overlook stewards give of our time, energy and essence to this endeavor, and why it matters. Each time, the words simply didn’t come, and so I would delete the post without publishing it. Today, I’d like to attempt to speak for the team on the notion of why we do it.
There are many benefits to being of service, to giving back to your local community or the global good. These may include recognition, accolades, credit, and even occasional material rewards. You tend to meet some of the best and most interesting people when you volunteer, and it’s a fantastic way to network. Plus it looks great on your resumé!
There are also physiological benefits to volunteering as long as you perform it willingly: studies show that acts of service encourage your body to generate telomerase, an enzyme that helps to heal the ends of your chromosomes. And if you work the trails like some of us, it’s an excellent source of cardio and weight bearing. 🙂
This is all wonderful, and reason enough. Far beyond that, however, I can tell you that there is a stunning depth of satisfaction in one’s life that is born and thrives when one devotes oneself to these acts even in small stints. It doesn’t matter what cause you choose as long as you help to drive it towards the best outcome. Push the spinning wheel a bit further onwards, chop wood, carry water. Just jump in somewhere and you will eventually find the work that jives with what you have to offer. As you do, you and your comrades, you will find the real reward, the one that words can’t describe.
Sonoma Overlook Trail • Montini Open Space Preserve 