“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience and just plain love of one another.”

So said American humorist and syndicated columnist Erma Bombeck. Bombeck died in 1966 at age 69, but her reflections resonate because Sun City is the City of Volunteers and it is time to demonstrate some of that “unselfish caring” for the community by becoming a member of the Sun City Posse.

April 20-26 is National Volunteer Week – a good time to take that first step to becoming a Posse member.

The Sun City Posse needs volunteers to help meet its mission of “Service to our Community.” The Posse is an group of 125 volunteers who every day make a difference as they patrol the streets and provide Vacation Watch Programs for people traveling for the summer or maybe just a week. The Posse also offers its Neighbor Watch program, which educates residents to pay attention to not only their own residence but that of their neighbors.

Posse volunteers also provide welfare checks, an important service during the oncoming days of summer, and funeral watch, a service of keeping a home safe while the family is mourning the death of a family member. The Posse works with the Sun City Fire and Medical Department and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department. In fact, Posse volunteers are the eyes and ears of the community because they are ever present in their black patrol cars with the word “POSSE” emblazoned on its doors.

The Posse offers flexibility in the types of available duties and hours; being a volunteer does not mean working five days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Posse members are only asked to commit to working one shift per week and attend two staff meetings per month.

“Our patrols cover Sun City with various shifts, six days a week,” said Posse Cmdr. Tina Anderson. “The administrative side of our operation also offers a variety of shifts and times and we have a recruiting and training department that is available to answer questions.”

A volunteer can work on the streets as a patrol person or in dispatch. If one’s area of expertise is communication, auto maintenance, landscaping, facilities repairs or administration, there is a place for them. And there are more advantages because volunteers can use their life skills to help their community.

“But more importantly, you can join a family of caring people who add to the overall quality of life here in Sun City and is made up of people who live here and who have a vested interest in our community,” Anderson added.

Those who live in Sun City six months per year, are at least 50 years old and are in reasonable health can become a member of the Posse by calling 623-972-2555, ext., 129, by visiting its headquarters at 10861 Sunland Blvd. or by emailing recruiting@suncityposse.org.